In this blog post, we will explore how clothing studies is not simply the study of making clothes, but a comprehensive field that encompasses everything from material research to psychological and social analysis.
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the term “clothing studies”? Many people probably think of famous designers. In fact, when most people hear “clothing studies,” they think of designing and making clothes. However, clothing studies is divided into various fields, such as clothing material research, design and composition, and social and psychological research, and is not limited to simply making clothes.
First, clothing material research is a field that explores various materials used in not only general clothing but also clothing for special purposes. Since clothing studies does not cover engineering knowledge in depth, it often conducts joint research in collaboration with related departments such as new material engineering.
If you are interested in design and composition, you can choose to become a designer or clothing manufacturer after graduation. Designers may launch their own brands or join existing companies to work as designers. On the other hand, if you are interested in social and psychological research, you can become a scholar who studies the psychology of people related to clothing, or you can become a fashion merchandiser (MD) who analyzes consumer psychology and trends to plan products. Furthermore, some students go on to become marketing experts or CEOs of fashion companies.
As you can see, the Department of Clothing and Textiles is not simply a place to “make and wear clothes,” but a place to learn the entire process from textiles to design, production, distribution, and consumption, and to explore various social and psychological factors through the medium of clothing. In other words, it is a comprehensive academic field where you can learn almost everything about clothing.
Everyone has experienced the lightness and comfort of taking off a coat after going outside in winter. The weight of clothing may seem like a minor factor, but it actually has a significant impact on the body. For this reason, many people nowadays prefer light and warm outerwear such as padded jumpers to coats.
The biggest difference between these two types of clothing is the material. Padded jumpers are made of materials that are much lighter and more heat-retaining than coats, and such clothing is called “functional clothing.” A representative example is Uniqlo’s “Heattech,” which has gained popularity around the world. Heat Tech is made from a new fiber that absorbs moisture from the body and converts it into heat energy. Not only does it provide better insulation than regular underwear, but it also blocks cold air from entering and allows sweat to escape.
GORE-TEX also attracted a lot of attention when it was first developed due to its excellent waterproof and breathable properties. This material, which is completely waterproof and effectively wicks away sweat to maintain comfort, is now an essential material for mountaineering and outdoor clothing. GORE-TEX is also durable and long-lasting thanks to its windproof and heat-retaining properties.
Recently, nanofibers that surpass the functionality of GORE-TEX have been developed, taking clothing material technology to the next level. These new materials, called “Domtex” and “Lytex,” are more breathable, absorbent, and waterproof than Gore-Tex, and are also much lighter. Although not yet widely known, they have great potential for various applications in the future. Functional materials are widely used not only in clothing but also in various daily necessities such as diapers and futons.
Before learning about clothing studies, most people come into contact with this field simply because they like clothes or are interested in fashion. However, once they actually study clothing, many students become deeply interested in the materials used to make clothes. At first, it is difficult to notice the differences between materials, but as you study them academically, you begin to realize how even the smallest differences can greatly affect comfort and design.
For example, on a hot summer day, wearing a T-shirt can make a big difference in comfort, depending on what material it is made of. Materials with excellent breathability absorb sweat well and dry quickly, providing a comfortable fit, while materials that do not breathe well can be hot and uncomfortable.
Design also produces completely different results depending on the characteristics of the material.
Light and flowy materials are perfect for spring dresses and feminine blouses, but they are not suitable for designs that require a solid silhouette, such as skinny jeans and basic T-shirts. As such, materials are the most basic and essential element in clothing design. Therefore, those studying clothing design must have a thorough understanding of materials as well as design.
Recently, functional materials have been applied not only to everyday life but also to special clothing such as space suits and combat uniforms, further expanding the potential for related research fields. In this regard, material research is a field with endless possibilities for development, and innovative achievements are expected through its combination with advanced technologies in the future.
With the rapid advancement of cutting-edge technologies such as smartphones and smart TVs, the era of fusion between these technologies and clothing materials will soon arrive. This may take the form of technology being directly integrated into the materials themselves, or high-tech equipment being attached to clothing. Either way, these changes will become an exciting field of research. As time goes on, the difference between ordinary materials and functional materials will become clearer, and more people are expected to take an interest in functional clothing.
In the future, many people will choose functional clothing that provides a more comfortable and convenient fit, and someday, someone will wear clothes made from a new material and say, “This is really comfortable.” I hope that the true value of clothing in our daily lives and the depth of clothing studies will be revealed naturally.
