Clothing, Status And Value: how has clothing been used to show status and wealth and what makes these clothes valuable?

Abstract

Throughout history status and wealth have been shown through clothing. This study investigates the relation between clothing, wealth and status and how it has been shown in different ways. Value can be attributed to garments that are sentimental, have a particular label or are skilfully made, not only because they were expensive to buy. This study also looks at what makes garments that show wealth valuable, how this has changed and how it can be subjective. Thorstein Veblen's book 'The Theory of the Leisure Class' provides the basis for this study. Veblen looks at the way the upper class show status and wealth through waste rather than through the purchasing of products. This theory offers a unique take on though it was published in 1899. This study concludes that status and wealth has been, and is still being, demonstrated through various ways and that the value of clothing has changed with the advancement of technology and society. Wealth and status is no longer shown through the adornment of jewels but can be shown though designer labels. However, to fully understand the relation between clothing, status and value an in depth investigation of social and personal psychology would need to be undertaken and combined with the research from this paper.