Consumer Studies
Clothing
2022
,Table of contents
1. Examine current fashion trends for young adults.
● Define fashion
● FASHION TERMINOLOGY - haute couture, style, classics, fads, silhouette, fast
fashion, trends, mass fashion
● THE FASHION CYCLE- innovation, rise, peak, decline, obsolescence
● FACTORS INFLUENCING CHANGES IN FASHION TRENDS- political, economic, social
and technological
2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
● The influence of socio-economic factors on the choice of clothing including the
influences of brand labels on clothing.
● The influences of psychological factors on the choice of clothing
● The symbolic meaning of appearance for social interaction
● The role of appearance , needs analysis and wardrobe planning in the selection
of clothing for young adults
● Clothing choices for the world of work- male and female
3. Identify consumer issues related to the impact of selection and use of clothing on the
natural or economic environment and suggest strategies for addressing the issues.
● LOCAL PRODUCTION VS CLOTHING IMPORTS on the South African Clothing
industry.
● The effects of manufacturing of synthetic and natural fibres on the natural and
economic environments
● Sustainable use of clothing- reuse, reduce, recycle, revamp, upcycle
1
, FASHION TERMINOLOGY
FASHION
Definition: fashion is the style accepted by a specific group of people at a given time.
In other words, fashion is the style that most consumers choose to wear at a specific time and
place. It is a way of fitting in and feeling part of a group. In order for a style to become fashion it
has to be accepted by the consumer.
Contemporary (prevailing) fashion refers to recently produced fashion items. These are
accepted and currently worn by most people. They are manufactured in large quantities and
sold at moderate prices in most clothing stores. These are worn by FASHION FOLLOWERS.
Fashion revivals are old styles that come back into fashion slightly changed. Retrospective
fashions are clothes that imitate the styles of previous eras. A vintage style is a style from the
past that is used unchanged.
TRENDS
Definition: The direction in which fashion moves is known as the fashion trend.
Fashion is changing all the time. Sometimes these changes are very dramatic, but usually styles
change more gradually.
2
, STYLE
Definition: style is the distinctive form of dress with recognizable qualities that distinguish
it.
In other words, style is what makes something unique or special.
One can refer to different styles of specific items of clothing eg styles of skirts or jeans as shown
below.
3
Clothing
2022
,Table of contents
1. Examine current fashion trends for young adults.
● Define fashion
● FASHION TERMINOLOGY - haute couture, style, classics, fads, silhouette, fast
fashion, trends, mass fashion
● THE FASHION CYCLE- innovation, rise, peak, decline, obsolescence
● FACTORS INFLUENCING CHANGES IN FASHION TRENDS- political, economic, social
and technological
2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
● The influence of socio-economic factors on the choice of clothing including the
influences of brand labels on clothing.
● The influences of psychological factors on the choice of clothing
● The symbolic meaning of appearance for social interaction
● The role of appearance , needs analysis and wardrobe planning in the selection
of clothing for young adults
● Clothing choices for the world of work- male and female
3. Identify consumer issues related to the impact of selection and use of clothing on the
natural or economic environment and suggest strategies for addressing the issues.
● LOCAL PRODUCTION VS CLOTHING IMPORTS on the South African Clothing
industry.
● The effects of manufacturing of synthetic and natural fibres on the natural and
economic environments
● Sustainable use of clothing- reuse, reduce, recycle, revamp, upcycle
1
, FASHION TERMINOLOGY
FASHION
Definition: fashion is the style accepted by a specific group of people at a given time.
In other words, fashion is the style that most consumers choose to wear at a specific time and
place. It is a way of fitting in and feeling part of a group. In order for a style to become fashion it
has to be accepted by the consumer.
Contemporary (prevailing) fashion refers to recently produced fashion items. These are
accepted and currently worn by most people. They are manufactured in large quantities and
sold at moderate prices in most clothing stores. These are worn by FASHION FOLLOWERS.
Fashion revivals are old styles that come back into fashion slightly changed. Retrospective
fashions are clothes that imitate the styles of previous eras. A vintage style is a style from the
past that is used unchanged.
TRENDS
Definition: The direction in which fashion moves is known as the fashion trend.
Fashion is changing all the time. Sometimes these changes are very dramatic, but usually styles
change more gradually.
2
, STYLE
Definition: style is the distinctive form of dress with recognizable qualities that distinguish
it.
In other words, style is what makes something unique or special.
One can refer to different styles of specific items of clothing eg styles of skirts or jeans as shown
below.
3
