Clothing Styles for the Seasons

There is a relationship between functionality and style in clothing. Clothing styles for the various seasons originated as a response to temperature.

There is little doubt that humans began to drape themselves with furs and animal skins in order to protect themselves from the cold and the elements. Exactly when human vanity began to concentrate effort on what would become known as style. Style in clothing is only marginally related to practical function. Clothing styles for the seasons give a good example of how function and style relate.

In the summer and in warm sunny climates, the primary function of clothing was protection from the sun. This is why such clothing styles as the flowing robes of the desert dwelling Arabs seem so strange to the bikini clad bather at a Western beach. It was found early that loose robe like garments gave the body maximum protection from the sun, but in societies where the weather changed seasonally, the object became to get the maximum exposure to sunlight during the months it was available.

Another function of clothing was to cover the human body, especially the female body. This was done for reasons of modesty and decorum, but also often had religious motivations as well. In recent years, this has changed. Summer clothing styles have allowed the exposure of enough skin to totally shock the more prudish people of past generations. Yet, the same type of clothing, shorts, halter tops, and two piece bathing suits would be considered immodest again during the winter months.

This sense of clothing styles for the seasons has been formalized in many cases. White clothing is considered un-stylish after a certain date in the fall. This is example of a clothing style tradition that has grown up around the seasons. Of course, white clothing tends to reflect sunlight while black clothing absorbs it. There is often a connection between common sense and style.

Clothing has always been something that has been used to express independence. Many styles which begin with a rebellion against current trends later become the accepted norm. There are no laws or moral imperatives that compel us to follow the clothing styles of the seasons, but it is good to remember that they are actually based on practical things and functionality. Furs in the summer and shorts in the winter have more than just a poor style taste to make them impractical.