This book is a collection of
garment stories in which individuals were asked about their clothes and the
reasons for their attachments. Each conversation was based around a garment the
person considered most valuable, whether that be because of the quality and
price, or because the garment belonged to a loved one. Recorded in writing and
illustration, every story is unique and often the attachments to clothes are
personal and emotionally significant. This research is a consideration of the
‘use’ stage of a garment - after production. It will be used to inform my own
design process, in the hope of encouraging a more valuable and durable design.
There are similarities to each conversation, such as comfort. Comfort plays a
significant role in the user’s experience, and was mentioned by every person,
including those who looked for aesthetic quality first. Outerwear was also
mentioned throughout, as though it was seen as a long-wearing and less
disposable garment compared to others. Outerwear was also laundered much less,
if at all, as the less contact clothing had with skin - the less the wearer
felt it needed to be washed. In terms of fabrics, preferences for natural fibre became clear, where synthetics
were viewed as disposable. Having said this, when asked about the materials
they wore, few individuals knew the properties of their clothes. As well as
this, the interviewees rarely thought about the impact of ‘wear’, with some
discussing the changes to clothing after use, such as the sagging of denim
jeans around the knees, and the way patterns on fabrics would distort when
creased around the elbows. There was a preference for clothing that had
multiple functions, or that could be worn day and night. Many of the most
valued garments were associated with family or loved ones, whether that be in
the experience of buying, or because the garment was worn on a significant day
to the individual, or most commonly, because the garment was formerly owned by
a loved one. The more emotional attachment an individual had to their garment,
the more likely they would see ‘wear’ or ‘damage’ on the piece as endearing.
Looking at the conversations of each garment story, a significant issue was the
difficulty, in which each person found, when trying to describe the reasons to
their attachments, and what they valued in their clothes. The reasons for this
are unclear; however, perhaps the lack of understanding around garment ‘use’
and value contribute to the issues of contemporary consumer society and
obsolescence. As more clothes are bought and disposed of, less are understood,
valued and appreciated.
In light of the issues
surrounding obsolete design, and the constant consumption and disposal of
objects, the need to bring value to our things is as essential as ever. Talking
to people about their clothes and communicating the ways in which we use garments,
are just small ways in bringing value to our things. The more we understand
about object-use, the less we are likely to consume things impulsively. To
understand ‘use’ value means understanding the role that clothing plays in our
identity, our sense of self, and our relationship with others. Finding this
value potentially contributes to a change in the way we consume material
things, and opens up conversations about our social and environmental
responsibility.
The relationship we have with our clothing is personal and ever-changing, yet
the simplicity of a worn garment is something we all have in common. Each
garment can provide an insight to identity, behaviour, gender differences, age,
occupational roles, culture, religion and wealth. Understanding garment ‘use’
is just one area to consider in the design process, particularly if emotionally
durability is the desired outcome. Of course, the ‘use’ of a garment is most
often unpredictable and cannot be established in the design process. However,
small considerations of things such as comfort, the effects of wear and
weather, and the social implications of each design, can all contribute towards
a more valuable outcome.
Morag
