The Sproles Consumer Interests and Priorities questionnaire was administered to 3,036 home economists. Awareness of social implications of clothing, correlated positively with fashion awareness and clothing economic practices. Results suggest that persons exhibiting substantial awareness of social importance of clothing also tend to evidence…

The goal of this study was to identify the relationship of at-risk youth workplace appearance to other job performance criteria. Employers (n = 30; each employing from 1 to 17 youths) evaluated 178 at-risk high school youths who completed a paid summer employment experience. Appearance evaluations were significantly correlated with evaluations of…

Expenditures for clothing and shoes have declined as a share of total personal consumption expenditures in nominal dollars, particularly since the end of World War II. This paper examines the drastic decline and its possible causes. (JOW)

As part of a three-year study, researchers categorized common physical limitation (CPL) groups across disabilities and identified the clothing and special needs of each group. Relationships between clothing style features and CPL groups will allow formulation of guidelines for clothing and dressing needs of each group. (JOW)

Examined differences between regular education (N=74) and emotionally disturbed (N=27) early adolescents with respect to self-concept, body image, and selected uses of clothing. Found emotionally impaired were less likely to use clothing to influence mood than were regular education students. Results lend credence to importance of self-concept in…

Background/Context: It may appear a simple question for a 12 year old girl to ask: "what should I wear today for school?" But simplicity is deceptive when the possibilities are many and each carries with it a specific and dangerous weight. In this paper I start with a Hmong girl in Ban Rongrian, Thailand, as she faces forms of…

Orthopedically disabled adults were surveyed by written questionnaire to determine what information sources they perceived to be available, which they used, and which they preferred to use to receive information about the selection, adaptation, and construction of clothing. The following sources were recommended: county extension bulletins,…

This study investigated whether clothing can be perceived as a form of encouragement for success in a weight management exercise program. A small (n = 30) sample of children and parents, enrolled in a weight-management exercise program, responded to a survey instrument that included questions regarding fit and comfort of the clothing children wore…

Optimal learning occurs when students are interested in the subject matter, are motivated with challenging and quality learning opportunities, and when immersed in atmospheres that make learning enjoyable. One technique to promote optimal learning is through the use of constructive controversies. The purpose of this study was to provide an example…

A study assessed the information needs of catalog shoppers who buy clothing. A majority of the respondents regarded price, garment care, and fabric information vital to catalog purchases of clothing. (JOW)

The use of protective clothing (padded helmet and slippers) was found to reduce a severely retarded 13-year-old's kicking and two corresponding forms of self-restraint--arm and leg self-restraints. (Author/CL)

This article reports findings from a study in which 26 girls aged 12- to 13-years-old took part in workshops at a specialist ICT center connected to a school in inner-city London. The girls explored and discussed fashion as presented online, and they produced their own interactive fashion design webpages, making decisions about body shapes, types…

Recent studies have demonstrated that the time spent gazing at one's own image as it is reflected in a mirror is positively influenced by the level of physical attractiveness. When in a state of objective self-awareness, self-awareness theory proposes that an aversive state will arise due to an awareness of negative discrepancies between the…

Substitution of a modified gym uniform for the traditional judogi effectively lowers the cost of school judo programs. (LH)

Responses from 158 of 300 teens showed that age, gender, and participation in 4-H clothing projects influenced their clothing care practices (such as doing laundry, making repairs). Those without clothing maintenance skills were more likely to discard apparel, a practice with potential negative economic and environmental impacts. (SK)