My wife, a continuing observant of anthropology and
human behavior in general, is a proponent of the idea that the clothing we wear
serves as a costume by which we may manage the perspectives of others as they
evaluate us.
As many readers may have discovered, I periodically
sport my Sgt. Pepper jacket as an instrument by which I may gain
attention. When wearing it, I am hard to miss. The jacket is bright,
flashy-blue, and very quickly identified with the Beatles Sgt. Pepper album and
persona associated with that album.
Originally purchased and tailored for a “50 Year
Celebration” of the album, I have since worn it at many concerts and other
events.
But my wife posits that all clothing is social
costuming.
Much like choosing which jewelry to wear for the day,
clothing is also a choice. In either case, there is consideration of how one
wants to present themselves.
When attending a job interview, one may wear business
formal attire so as to assert themselves as professional.
When attending a wedding one may take care that they
do not “upstage” the bride and groom. This costuming effect is to characterize
oneself as being socially discerning.
Yet another example of social costuming is the act of
wearing clothing, such as t-shirts, that have messaging or logos printed on
them. Such folk seem to want to be identified with a cause or movement.
I quickly acknowledge that there are circumstances in
which people, due to lack of resources, or perhaps situation-specific
influences, cannot wear what they might prefer. These situations include
uniforms for work.
Yet still, some people will wear their work uniform
outside of the work situation.
I assume they do so that I, and others will associate
them with that work environment.
So, it does seem that my wife is correct, most, if not
all, clothing is a social costume.
But please be relaxed, if you invite me to your
wedding, I will not wear the Sgt. Pepper jacket. I will wear clothing that
presents me as appropriately exuberant for your wedding day.
Neither will I wear my jacket to your Christmas Party,
church meeting, or baptism.
It just seems that ecclesiastical circumstances are
not the appropriate venue for personality excess.
But concerts, festivals, social situations in which
personality excess is not only permitted but encouraged, yeah, you can expect
the jacket.
Now, if only I could fit into it as I did when I first
received it!
