[Last modified: October, 14 2024 03:16 PM]
For my research question, I chose to investigate the research in two ways:
1-Interview
In my anthropology fashion course, we discussed the concept of wardrobe, which is the idea that each person’s wardrobe not only represents their character and personality, but also communicates specific messages to the outside world through their clothing choices. To this end, I interviewed members of the group in a seminar to explore their perceptions of the ‘language of clothing’. Specific questions were: Do they update their wardrobe or change their style to look more professional when they leave school and enter the workplace? And do they hide their personalities in the pursuit of professionalism?
Different respondents provided diverse answers:
– Respondents who stick to their individual style: several students said that they would not change their original individual style to enter the workplace. They believed that professionalism is reflected in one’s working ability and efficiency, rather than the clothing itself. For example, one student mentioned, ‘I think my professional competence should be demonstrated through actual work results, not what I wear.’ She emphasised that others judged her more from her work performance rather than her choice of clothing. These respondents objected to the idea of conveying professionalism through uniform professional attire, believing that it could overshadow individuality.
– Interviewees who supported changing styles: However, most of the students believed that it was necessary to adjust the style of clothing appropriately according to the requirements of the position after entering the workplace. One respondent with work experience shared her experience in marketing job. She mentioned that wearing professional attire would give clients a more professional impression and might even improve the success rate of her programme. She said, ‘When I make presentations for clients, wearing professional attire enhances my credibility in front of them and shows that I am serious about my work.’ She believes that on specific occasions, such as meetings or presentations to clients, decent professional attire not only represents a personal image, but also conveys the professionalism of the company or team.
To summarise, respondents’ answers show that the relationship between clothing and professional image is diverse, ranging from voices insisting on individual expression to considerations of choosing to change styles in order to better adapt to the professional environment. This also reflects the dynamic interaction between the individual and the external professional environment.
2-Observation
In order to better understand the role of clothing language in different contexts, I conducted field observations to examine how people present their identities and roles through clothing in two different settings: a school and an office building.
– School
Clothing styles show great diversity in the school environment, especially among the student population. For students, clothing is not only a daily wear but also a social language. By wearing clothing that displays a particular style, students can connect with like-minded people. For example, students who wear trendy fashion brands may attract friends who share an interest in trendy culture. Whereas, for students who enjoy niche or unique styles, the choice of dress may become a way to show their unique personality and may attract like-minded partners. Students will learn and share with each other by discussing different clothing styles, which promotes social interaction.
For school staff, clothing serves a different function. Librarians, front office staff, and teachers typically wear relatively formal professional attire. Such dress not only helps students to quickly identify them, but also helps to clarify their professional roles. For example, uniformed librarians can be quickly recognised in the library, making it easy for students to find them and ask for help. Professional attire in this scenario not only serves as an identifier, but also conveys a symbol of professionalism and helpfulness.
-Office Buildings
In office building environments, especially in the professional field, clothing is more of a reflection of the rules and professional norms of the workplace. In many companies and organisations, professional attire becomes a symbol of an employee’s identity and position.
I have observed that in some specific workplace environments, such as finance, law or marketing, wearing formal professional attire is a common phenomenon. In positions that interact with customers, wearing well-dressed professional attire is seen as a form of professional courtesy and respect, and it also helps employees earn the trust and respect of customers.
And in the present day I have also observed that there are industries that emphasise innovation, creativity and technology. Employees are allowed to wear more personalised clothing that shows their individuality while maintaining professionalism.
Through my observations I have realised that in the workplace, people can communicate not only their professionalism and identity to the outside world through the language of clothing, but also their creativity through the language of clothing.
3-Conclusion
Through interviews and observations, it is clear that clothing and fashion are more than just a reflection of personal style; they are tools for communication and identity. In the school environment, clothing is more of a social language that helps students make connections and express their personalities. In the workplace, clothing is often used as an expression of professional image, as well as part of teamwork and company culture. The language of clothing as a form of expression creates value for people in their social interactions and professional development, whether it’s expressing oneself through personalised dressing styles or communicating professionalism and identity to the outside world through professional attire.