- one of the most fundamental aspect of dress in most societies is that custom dress of men and women be different.

- reflect culturally determined views of the social rules of appropriate sex

- a uniform or a particular style of dress frequently designates occupational status

- clothing can indicate profession or marital status

- Use of skins or leathers thought to have led to the development

- pieces are cut and sewn together, fit body more closely and provide greater warmth

- cool climates

- process "whereby elements of dress of one culture are incorporated into the dress of another."

- usually style is changed in some way

- may come about through war, trade, travel, immigration, or through the medium of communication

- grows out of a recognition that Western society or any one country or other political entity within that society cannot exist in isolation

- the specific expression of an era is determined by a complex mixture of social, psychological, and aesthetic factors

- "spiri of the times"

- a recurring or unifying subject or idea.

- social life

- social class structure

- social rules (gender)

- lifestyles