Advocacy through Appearance: An Exploration of Professional Identity, Self-Sufficiency, and the Clothing-Related Non-Profit

Non-profit organizations are often established to address economic and social disparities by providing resources to those in need, with the goal of improving society. The following qualitative study looks to examine the role of the clothing-related non-profit in helping clients develop a professional identity through donated dress. In order to look beyond the short-term goal of getting a job, in-depth interviews were administered to 36 participants. Utilizing the enclothed cognition framework, an understanding of how donated clothing can also be used to foster the skills necessary to build a long-term career was developed. Thus, with the help of the clothing-related non-profit, it is possible that professional dress can be used as a conduit for achieving economic independence. To address this possibility, the study will also explore how developing a professional identity through donated dress can help clients of clothing-related non-profits achieve broader goals of personal and professional self-sufficiency

Locally-Owned Retail Stores and Downtown Revitalization:Investigating the Role of Place Attachment

Through revitalization, many downtown areas across the US are seeking to become shopping destinations by creating consumption spaces that are distinct from those in the suburbs. It is possible that the role of place and the bonds that people form with places are key factors involved in achieving the success of distinct consumption spaces. The purpose of this study was to understand the role of attachment to place within the dynamic that exists between local retail store ownership and downtown revitalization. An ethnographic approach to research was employed. Findings of this study highlight the importance of place attachment not just among participants as owners of small retail stores, but for the entire downtown as a community of retailers operating within an area that is being revitalized

Locally-Owned Retail Stores and the Revitalized Downtown: An Investigation of the Role of Civic Engagement and Local Capitalism

Downtown areas were once vital areas for commerce and consumption. Suburbanization changed this, vacating downtown for decentralized locations following the population sprawl. Recently the renaissance of many downtowns across the US has occurred, as locally-owned retailers returned to downtown areas and consumers are following by supporting these efforts. Civic engagement is key for downtown revitalization, and may occur more readily when linked with opportunities for consumption via local capitalism, providing a reason for people to return to downtown. Despite trends in downtown revitalization, few studies examine the topic, none link the locally-owned retail store to concepts of civic engagement and local capitalism. The purpose of this study was to explore how locally-owned retail stores offer a mechanism for revitalization that is fueled by civic engagement through both customers and store owners employing an ethnographic research design. Findings indicate that through local capitalism, civic engagement is key to successful downtown revitalization

Consumed by Consumption: A Phenomenological Exploration of the Compulsive Clothing Buying Experience

The purpose of this study was to develop an understanding of the compulsive buying experience through an in-depth exploration of what it is like to be a compulsive buyer, and in particular, a compulsive clothing buyer. A phenomenological approach to inquiry was employed. In-depth interviews were conducted with a total of 6 females in the US. Participants were also asked to keep personal journals. Recorded interviews and journals were transcribed verbatim. Responses were analyzed thematically by the researchers. Four main core thematic areas emerged and were used to structure the interpretation: The Person, The Process, The Product, and The Path to Recovery. Findings from this study support and enhance previous studies suggesting the importance of clothing among compulsive buyers. However, this study is the first to offer potential explanations for this preference, including the physical attributes of the product as well as its ability to transform the self through appearance

Encouraging critical thinking in the classroom: An example from Aesthetics

This paper illustrates how critical thinking techniques could be used in teaching aesthetics. Exploring unfamiliar territory and moving freely between reflective and active thought processes are components important to both aesthetics and critical thinking. In keeping with the objectives of critical thinking, a classroom exercise titled "Getting Outside of Your Own Skin" was designed to help students acknowledge and address assumptions and biases they may hold about older consumers and the aging process. Students were encouraged to move beyond personal experiences to broaden their thinking about individuals unlike themselves. By working through the project, students were given the opportunity to examine their perceptions and attitudes toward the aging process and to consider their effect on this growing market

Implications of an educational intervention program designed to increase young adolescents’ awareness of hats for sun protection

This research examined the content and outcome of an educational intervention program designed to foster sun protective awareness and behaviors among young adolescents. Awareness of sun protection qualities, as well as preferences and stated intention to wear protective clothing, were measured based on young adolescents’ responses to selected hat styles both before and after the educational interventions. The educational intervention was well received by this age group (ages 10-12), and a comparison of matched pre- and post-tests (397 girls and boys) indicated an increase in knowledge of sun protective factors in clothing. However, familiarity and past experience with hat styles helped to determine both preference and intent to wear. This finding points to the need to incorporate adolescents’ preferences in design and modifications of hats for protection, and to take further measures to encourage protective behaviors in young adolescents’ clothing selection. Implementing a standardized sun protection rating system for hats and other types of clothing like those used with sunscreen lotion would begin to familiarize people of all ages with the dangers of sun exposure and the benefits of wearing sun protective clothing

Majoring in Fashion: A Theoretical Framework for Understanding the Decision-Making Process

Choosing a college major can be a complex decision and one that has the potential to determine an individual's professional future. The purpose of this study was to develop a theoretical framework for mapping the decision-making process. Grounded in findings from a previously published study of interviews with students majoring in fashion and the existing literature on the process of major selection, an interpretation of factors influencing students' decision-making was developed. Findings provided the foundation for a theoretical framework that permits an in-depth understanding of the decision process that currently does not exist within the literature. Further empirical use and development of the framework would provide assessment of its applicability across a variety of college majors and within countries other than the USA

Employment in the U.S. Textile and Apparel Industries: A Comparative Analysis of Regional vs. National Trends

Purpose – To examine the impact of changes in the US textile and apparel industries on employment patterns at the state level compared with the nation as a whole during the period of 1997-2003. Design/methodology/approach – Secondary data sources were analyzed to develop an overall picture of changes happening in the North Carolina industries compared with the USA overall. A focus on North Carolina, a primary location of the industries within the USA, permits a micro-level examination of changes in employment trends for one state in comparison with those of the industries nation-wide. Three industries form the bulk of the data examined: Textile Mills (NAICS-313), Textile Product Mills (NAICS-314), and Apparel Manufacturing (NAICS-315). Findings – An overall decrease in employment and number of units for all three industries was found. The number of establishments in the North Carolina textile complex decreased by 25 percent and employment by almost 50 percent. The state losses resembled those of the nation as a whole. For the majority of industry groups, the trend in value of shipments mirrored the downward direction of employment from 1997 to 2001. Research limitations/implications – Although this study focuses on only one state in comparison with the USA as a whole, it reveals current trends in employment patterns and has implications for developing an in-depth picture of regional versus national industry performance during a period of decline. Originality/value – Within this study, industry change was interpreted at both the state and national level through employment patterns as a means to explore why some industry groups have remained relatively healthy compared with others and what this means for industry employment in the future

Making sense of the market: An exploration of apparel consumption practices of the Russian consumer

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine and interpret post-socialist consumer experiences in relation to clothing consumption practices when consumers shop, acquire, and wear clothing and other fashion-related products. Design/methodology/approach – The in-depth interview was the primary data collection tool. Data collection was conducted during summer 2004 in St Petersburg, Russia. College students formed the sample for the study. In total, 17 students (four males and 13 females) were interviewed. The hermeneutic approach was used to interpret the meanings of the participant lived experiences. Findings – In comparison to consumers in an established market-based economy, consumers in this post-socialist market have unique perceptions of clothing attributes (quality, brand name, country of origin, retail channel) critical for buying decisions. Overall, appearance and clothing play a special role in the emerging Russian market as they help construct and communicate new identities more than any other product category. Research implications – Identified challenges of the Russian apparel market indicate opportunities for domestic and foreign apparel businesses. The meanings Russian consumers attach to clothing attributes can be used to develop product positioning and promotional strategies. Discussed implications of the research findings can be extended to other post-socialist emerging markets. Originality/value – This study explored how Russian consumers have adjusted to the new economic reality after almost fifteen years of transition from a socialist to a capitalist society from the perspective of the consumer. Whereas previous research findings were confirmed, the present study provides rationale for perceived importance of quality and unimportance of brand name in the Russian apparel market

US textile sector job loss: An exploration of implications for individuals, community, and industry

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the experiences of displaced female textile sector workers. Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative approach to data collection and interpretation forms the methodological basis of the study. In-depth interviews were conducted with 14 female employees who were laid off from a large textile manufacturing facility in a southeastern state. Participants were selected through the local community college where they returned to school after losing their jobs. Findings – A phenomenological interpretation of the responses led to the development of three emergent thematic areas connecting similarities and differences that surfaced across the participants? narratives. Key issues within the thematic areas point to the need for each participant to come to terms with the job loss, both emotionally and financially, and to decide where she would go from there. Research limitations/implications – The study focuses on women employed at a single manufacturing facility and within a single state in the southeastern USA. Implications of the meanings of participants? experiences for their community and for the future of employment in the US textile sector are considered. Practical implications – The study provides an interpretation of the impact of textile sector dynamics on the lives of displaced workers and the local community. Originality/value – The paper offers insight into the human side of industry dynamics and declining manufacturing employment figures. It also sheds light on the extent to which some displaced textile sector workers have pursued the educational options made available through government programs designed to provide assistance with education and retraining