arson

'T EU" “1.38 L

 

 

“Ii :' i i ‘

LIBRARY

Michigan State
University

 

w :i--.:..rl'1., .JXHH :. :--

..'f.!‘-,-" 1. 1i KN H l' IJ-‘ip'r'.
1 "9’4" :1 I Hi i}

MICHIGAN STATE m»
COLLEGE OF HUMAN wink}
REFERENCE LIBRARY '

 

i {'15- .".- ,J (:71 t ' (ii i If

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A

'f‘.’ 1“. . .. . I \ .,

‘g. rn‘fil“ (g.r('. j”
50th.“, OF 11;; P<

"u“¥?ra‘~\-I : w.» -.-.e. ..-

J ' fl .,- n f I f _ ,
ht:k-:L.L-.%_L4 _ ,'.";J in, \l ._"t;‘ '

L- _. ...;

am meme, eutwt
A STUDY OF

PLACE IN RETURN BOX
to remove this checkout from your record.

TO AVOID FINES return on or before date due.
MAY BE RECALLED with earlier due date if requested.

 

DATE DUE DATE DUE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6/01 c:/ClRC/DateDue.p65-p.34

for the degree of

‘Pl.(mr-.

ruptuR CF SCRI-ICE

1960

:8 of .I‘lichigan
.ied Science
:1: partial mmlment or the requlrements

 

“F'Eifiifilfi

 

 

II.
III.
1".
V.
VI.

VII.

Th. 11.: 01' COixJiiT

(f9

.-.'AT 5.}. OF pl‘NAIA—o-oooooo
REVIEW OF TE USERS . . . . . .
PhUuInathLL o o o o o o o o 9 o o
FEEDING-00000000000
OCCUR WIS-MAL GILES COIPJJULCJ “ .
AGE COI’W'TIE'OZ‘ES . . . . . . . .

531131.513! Alli) CONCLUSIOIS‘ . . . .

LITTUJE‘T SCl-Tmooooooooooo

Page

TST OF TMEIES

Page
TAELE I
OCCUR-310238 OF .33 CITlILL' E‘ATEEELE‘ . . . . . . . . . . 9

"BLE II
01.131112173chqu ar: .31 ...:m.' 13:23:11.3 . . . . . . . . 10

T111713 III
A CO; :4; ... :3862‘ O}? (3;; .KPJ‘Ar‘ \’ d aJi ‘~.I::ICD fl 21‘3i-‘2T-OF'1FE 21:11:]:5 M1014'm
INF “4r‘ ELDY’KY‘ f‘ LJW “ 51V: «J,~T::T1£ . O C . . . . . . . . . . 15

TABLE IV ' ' ‘ ' ' ‘
111:: " .111 OF “1.0)“ AZ'D .131.111.1132 1:: 1:“: OCCUPATION}: . .."T..TUS
OF THE 'ATKLHS d 6 o o o o o o o o o o a 6 o d 6 o o 20

TIE-ELEV
PRICE “AID FOT’. EIL'XTCS £331) Si. ...-KIRK} 131' CCUP.’LTI I111.
STATUQOFTU‘FT}.1.u......-..‘¢.......20

TMEL‘E' VI -
IIIIJIT’ZICJYIICF OF P717331 ”153237.13 BLOUSES MID 3111111111913 BY

OC‘SJPATIOy LIL ST..TUS OF TIE FATEEERS . g g g g g g o o 21

TABLE "I -
2132.: 3::1'1‘103‘3 F0? SELECTION OF .‘s’I'BLT'w .. AGE
GfiUJPS o a o o o o o o o o». o o o a o o o o o o o o 22
TILBT‘ 'V'III

'\

.T‘ "T Afjiqrfm ‘1'? , rig‘fifzm ‘ -\T.fi'-\ ’1'" Flu?" FfT C
11 U- 1:31:41? CI! 141. and...) It;t.) .n‘...‘-.\41k.'.b PILIL'i‘J L'J. [fibrils GIstTPnJ . .

3%

FIG: SI......OOOOOOIOOOOOOOOOOO13

FIGUE‘EIIOOOOOOO......OOOOOOOOOIO16

iii

I S.AT§K§KT OF PRCSLEH

The teen-age population is increasing very rapidly each year. As
fast as the group increases, their consumer purchasing power increases.
The teenpage group is therefore emerging as an important consunerbbuyer.
fishy articles that teenpagers of fifteen years ago would consider luxuries
are thought of as necessities today. Teen-agers do not always make wise
choices; tnus they need to be guided in their buying since they have not
acquired mature judgments.

This study was undertasen to get a better picture of the attitudes
of high school girls in relation to some of their preferences of blouses
and sweaters. These attitudes. including their likes and preferences,
should be considered as a basis for helping them formulate some sound buy-
ing habits.

The results of this study could be used by:

1. Teachers of home Economics (who are aware that teenpagers

are demanding more today and have an even greater need to
be taught how to make wise choices.)

2. Extension'workers (to assist the parents who in turn will

he guiding the tecn—agers.)

3. The production and marketing agencies (to know consumer

preferences.)

Since there are few recent studies in this area, the writer felt
a need to know more about clothing attitudes of adolescents in general
and her own class in particular in order to make her teaching more

effective.

' ‘v- v'k‘flf"1"s‘v K‘s-ff: ”1...... ”‘5. w '5
lol- f’bVl-f'..-3.‘ UI’ 14111.3: “ti-.6 1:1»th

There have been a number of studies made to try to determine the
motivations in clothing selection. Zhny'of the investigators agree that
"adolescence is the period of life in.which clothes assume the greatest
im rtence."‘1

Read observed, “clothes may met e growing up easier or harder.
They may become a symbol of security, an extension of self, a wey of
identifying with sonzeone else, or a means of real seti erection."2

Silverman published one of the best designed and most comprehen-
sive pss'chological studiesm ‘ l9h5. About 370 high school girls from 12
to 18 years of age answered a questionnaire. Some of the important find-
ings were that regardless of age girls attached considerable significance
to clothing and appearance. Three-fourths of the group felt that clothes
were necessary for happiness and also enjoyed having their clothes as a
focus of attention. Host girls thought they should choose clothing that
appealed to boys and of which th eir friends approved. ninety-six percent

were willing to mak some sacrifice in order to have clothes.3

1. Hurlock, Elizabeth B., "Hotivation In Fashion,“ chhives of Psychology,

 

So. 111, (fiew‘Yorka mania University, 192 9), p. 69

2. head, Katherine 5., "Clothes help Build Personality,"

 

"33.5.1353, ”2331443, Lay. 1950
3. Silverman, 3ylvia 8.. "Clothing and Appearances; Their Psychological
Implications for Teenukge Girls," (flew York: Bureau of Publications,

Teachers College, Colu.abia University, l9€5). p. lbO

Being able to choose clothing seems to be related to a feeling of
confidence. Ryan's data indicated that those wzo always chose their own
clothes more often had a feeling of teing better dressed than those who
had their clothing selected for them.“

Rosencranz found that the following sociological characteristics
were associated with girls' apd women's interest in clothing: memberships
in clubs or organizations, income, occupation and rural—urban background.5

toner and ficffer observed that girls demonstrate greater clothing
awareness than boys, that girls tend to refer to "mother" more frequently
than boys, and that girls in the lower grades refer to peers more fre-
quently than girls in the higher grades.6

Grace Leash and Anna Keener studied specific clothing preferences
and buying practices of high school girls. These investigators found
that the girls' clothing choices were influenced most by newspaper ads
and store displays; secondly, by their parents; and thirdly, by class-

mates. lheir behavior had contradictory sepects in that the girls'wanted

4. Ryan, fiery 5., "Psychological Effects of Clothing," ?art I, Survey of
'the Opinions of College fiirls, Bulletin 882, Cornell University Agricultural
Exnerinent Station, Ithaca, 1952. p. 11

5. Eosencranz, H. L., "A Study of Interest in Clothing Among a Selected
Group of Harried and Unmarried hosen," (unpublished fiaster's thesis,
Nichigen btete College, East Lansing, l9h8), p. 160

6. Vener, Arthur H. and H ffer, Charles, "Adolescent Orientations to
Clothing," Technical Pulletin no. 270, Hichigan btate Agricultural

Experiment Station, East Lansing, Iichigen, (Sarch 1959)

both parental approval and independence of choice. Social participation
ani social activities were sigid Lficant fac.tors in bo+ h selection of
. " 8

clothes and in satisfaction received from tneir clothing."

Finlayson reported from a study concerning sweaters that "becoming-
ness was rated as the most important component of satisfaction by the vast
majority of reopondents. Almost all of these reSpor dents gave social
approval as the reason for selecting 'becomingness' and aesthetic pleasure
was given as the reason for sel‘cting 'becomingness' by almost half of the
respondents .......From these results one could say that there seems to be
a strozig tern ency for a general value to be operative in the selection of
certain components that will bring satisfaction in clothinng

In &"anson' 3 study on sweaters it was "concluLed that Color , Style,
Fit and Fiber or Fabric are the most important attri tee to be cozisidered

in the purchase of a sweater and that Price is relatively less important.

 

----~--¢--- “ ::“ “——
f‘) 9 " ““ ’ . ' . A (, a 4- . ‘. . " . ' ‘9 4 - e . "‘5 . ' 4
,. le,s=, (recs, L Uaney of tee clotning ’rof erense andL Pu} no tracticcs

‘ f -‘ ' ‘ ‘ .' p: - ..-. ‘tt‘, I‘ so. ‘i, ~--. -. n u I f... 4-. .
o: loo ‘irls of hes. oiVl«uun Li,n : £.col in m+LWuu es, liecons;n,“

, I- ..' '-- .' ”-. .J ‘ 9 “("3
3:1“ Q‘Js. Jifi' "RAJ .I'GEJT-er.5 Eta-{24.5, it’ll“! (i. a] w 1‘44.th LC blat'E}, 1“},23".

-' ,.. ‘ 1,‘ : ... . '3 ”.59.: t, ,.,i
. LOQRBP, .nna, 'u ourVe, of the Llotning fireference

Q
V

g.)
3
£1.

Engine ?recticcs
of 139 hirls of Roosevelt Lien :chool in Chicago, Illinois," gnuuclislet
fiaster's Thesis, Ticnigan State College, 195%

9. Finleyscn, Flies L., “'n Invos,iggticn of Consumer Pctim ti ion in the

Selection of Lees+ors as Eelsted to Coneral Personal Values,‘ inou blis ted

.1. —. -.- 1‘ ’."~ ‘ ~-. -. I‘ 7' u ' - rs: J-V fl: ‘ .w ’2' "H -’
“aatcr,d -nosis, cornell xniiersitg, lv:‘, pp. J4~35

All of these attributes can be considered directly in the purchase
situation.”lo

To give general satisfaction to a wearer it‘was found that "Becoming-
hens" and the "Effect on self" were most important in the above study by
Swanson.

A regional study initiated in north Eastern United States suggested
that, "When the satisfactory components of the blouses in the study were
compared with details thought to determine satisfactory nature of blouses
in general, the responses were similar. it, fiber, fabric, ease of care,
and style and out were commonly mentioned in both cases. Color was more
often listed in connection with the specific observed purchase blouses
than for blouses in general.

Color was mentioned more often than any other characteristic except
size at the time of blouse purchase. It also was the most often mentioned
reason for rejecting other blouses which had been considered."12

In summary,ciothing'was found to be of great importance for the
adolescent; girls were more interested in clothing than boys; being able

to choose clothing was related to a feeling of confidence; clothing

10. Swanson, Charlotte, ”Interrelationships Among Factors Related to
Satisfaction in Sweaters," Cornell University, 1959, p. 51

ll. lhid., p. 51
12. .

 

Part 1,
Northeast Regional Bulletin 3h, (lgricultural Exneriment Station, U. of

Rhode Island, Kingston, Bulletin 3&9, June 1959), p*. 8—9

interest was related to occupation, income, rural—urban background and
number of memberships in clubs and organizations. Findings concerning
specific items were: color, style, fit and fibv' were important
attributes for purchase of sweaters; choices were influenced by newspaper
ads, store displays, parents and classmates; color of blouse was most
important at point of sale; fit, fiber or fabric, ease of care, style and

out were associated with satisfaction of blouses in general.

III Paces-33:13:

Data were obtained from a compilation of responses to a question»
naire administered to seventy girls in Iron River High School of Iron
River, lichigan, and fortybfivs girls in Stambaugh High School of
Etanbaugh, Richigan. The questionnaire was given only to girls in grades
nine through twelve.

Questions were designed to obtain clothing preferences, purchasing
habits, some of the factors influencing clothing choices, and degree of
independence of choice concerning selected clothing items. Specific
information'uas secured on numbers of blouses and sweaters as well as
their favorite style, sleeve, neckline, color and fabric. The girls
were also asked place of purchase, usual prices paid, and source of ideas
for type of blouses and sweaters. In addition, the girls were questioned
as to whether or not they agreed wi h their mothers on choices and if not,
why not. Information was also collected on blouses made at home by the
informant.

In that an indirect question can sometimes bring out more realistic
preferences, two situation questions were formulated to help define some
of their preferences. The first question was as follows: 'Jane is wearing
a new blouse today, what did you notice first about it?' The second
question was, 'You are going to buy a new sweater, what are the things

you are looking for?‘

1? er 'V‘".I"1(‘
I J FI-".D-LJL‘.J

Sample Characteristics

The age range was from lb years to 19 years. There were seven-
teen in the lb-year group, thirty-five in the 15-year group, thirty-one
in the 16-year group, twenty-four in the l7~year group, six in the 18—
year group, and two in the l9~year group. There were fiftybtwo in the lee
15—year group and sixtyethree were 16 years and above.

The cities of Iron River and Stanbaugh are communities that have
boundaries next to each other and are both iron ore mining communities.
than the occupational standi " of the girls' fathers sore obtained, it
was found that forty-four have fathers that were classified as laborers;
included in this group are the underground develOpmnmt miners that blast-
and put ore into the cars. The risk is very high for these workers.

The twentyethree in the seni—skilled workers group included truck drivers,
bus drivers, and mail carriers. The twenty in the skilled workers and
foreman group included captains and shift bosses in the mines. Twelve
fathers acre deceased. Five were in the proprietor, managers, and
officials group, four were in the other group, two farmers, two clerks,

and kindred workers, and one professional. (bee Table I)

r. an fi$fr_‘ .7" I"? 1":‘r‘ TN: 'N‘Mfio
ULUJPJ’IL- ..I‘JJQ C: 1.1.? CELL». .L‘. ..Lll “-u)

Occupations Humber in occupation
Professional 1
Farmer 2
Proprietor, managers, cfficials 5
Clerks and kindred workers 2
Skilled workers and foreman 20
femi-skilled workers 23
Laborers 44
Other 6
Zeceased 12

Total 115

Almost half of these girls have not been in any hfl work. Twenty.
one girls have been in hH one year and twelve have had two years. Ten
have had three years of RS. The other girls having more than three years
of 43 work total fifteen with two girls having eight years.

Of the total 115 girls, thirtyasix have had one year of Homemaking,
thirty have had two, twentyasLx have had three, and eleven had four years.

The girls some from families of varied sizes. See Table II)
T-enty-three girls had four or more sisters; twentyanine girls did not

have other sisters.

*- 'rrqmr ‘11-? "W * ~ (xv r17 -.- m.

. 7 119;" \~ ~-
5‘b:liwLL.:Ul.LU.J \JL CbLl..“.‘- ESL-...II

i‘Jumber O l 2
Sisters 29 36 25

Brothers 23 )0 33

‘ r" 1‘ 9": "T'n'srh
» -a . \

. _ n
J ...—O L-a—o.-.o- L

3 1+ or more
13 {192' z:-
11'. 9

The girls had an average of eighteen blouses1 for each girl. The
smallest number of blouses for any one girl was seven and the largest
number for any one girl was fifty with the rest ranging in between.

In regard to style a little over one-half of the girls favored the
sport type blouse with the overblouse a weak second. The type of sleeve
varied greatly but the roll-up was the one getting the largest number.
The short was second and the three-quarter sleeve seethird. The neckline
that was most popular was the Open front with a little collar, making a
V-neckline.

shite was the color most preferred, blue was second, with pink
the third color. All but ten girls said that they liked cotton blouses
best and five of the ten said drip dry cottons.

The store where most of the girls purchased their blouses was
Pennys. The other stores were Specialty shops and some from a mail order
catalog.

The average price was $2.93. The prices paid for blouses ran

from $1.00 to $4.99

1. This average is considerably higher than the average reported hy a
Department of Agriculture bulletin published in 1951 which stated that
girls twelve to fifteen years of age had an average of 12 blouses and
sweaters combined. See "Studies of Family Clothing Supplies," Preliminary

Report fio. 3, U. S. Department of Igriculture, (January 1951)

ll

The girls got ideas for the blouses they want from the catalog2

and secondly from seeing them on other peeple. Fashion magazines was
their third source.

Over one-half of the girls do not go alone to buy their blouses,
ninety out of the 115 take their mother with then and over one-half take
their friends along. Only nine girls felt a disagreement with their
mother over the type of blouse they should wear. Five of them said they
just had different ideas than their mother and one said her mother does
not like modern styles.

In summary, the type of blouse that was pictured by mist girls
was a white cotton, sport blouse With roll-up sleeves, open front, with
little collar and V—neok. see Figure I.

The favorite place to buy them was Pennys; the usual price was
$2.98. They get their ideas mainly'from catalogs.

Kinetysfour girls made at least one of her blouses and the
figures ranged up to ten blouses for one girl. The average blouses made

. 3
would be 2% blouses for each girl.

2. The main source for ideas differs from most studies, in particular
those of Grace Leask and Lana Eosner which state that the catalog we
not a usual source. The dependence of the rural community on catalogs
is certainly reflected here. See Grace Leash, -r. git., p. 59

3. This is a larger average than the .13 bl‘uses per girl reported made-

at—home in ”Studies of Fhmily Clothing Supplies? Preliminary Report

Sumber 5, U. S. Department of figriculture (June 1951)

at

FIGUR

x. a.

a».

Sr fiufiwfiw .m

'.

rww

i.

 

13

('1 q ' ' (fir?! ‘-—'
L’Q': ...}L' ‘3"; 5.); Ls.‘

loch girl had an average of eleven satxeaters. They ranged from
none for one girl up to thirty for another girl.
The favorite type of sweater was the cardigan with the pull over

next in popularity. The lergeet n tuber preferred long sleevefil streaters.

(4'

About one-«half the girls favored a rouni neckline with roe of
the others saying high neckline. homely both are referzing to the some
kind. Iilue was the favorite color for sn-reatersb' with red mart and then
white. Orion was the mqeater feloric mentioned the most, with wool a

close second and ban-Ion a close third.

P‘ermys was the store where the majority of sweaters more purchased.
Specialty shoes were next and thirdly the catalog. The price most often
paid was 4371;.98 with $5.98 next. The prices ranged from $522.98 to $12.,8.

For ideas on what kind of sweaters they would like to _ oral-use

heir ecumes were about equally divided between seeing them on eommne
elee, out of catalogs and from fashion regazines.

E-bet of the girls would prefer not to go alone to purcimse a
sweater. -Ztg‘zty-two would take their mother with them and sixty-two would
take their friends. cine-e of the same girls stated they would take both
their mother and friends. Only twelve girls do not agree with their
mothere on the type of sweater they should wear. Five said their nether
thought their taste was too extensive. Five said their mothers testes

were different than theirs.

-- ‘v. V.

 

4. Blue was found to be the most preferred color in a recent survey at
Iiic'nigmu State University. Ekates, .2.w:1rey and Powell, June, "Survey

of Color References in Women's Ew‘ardrobes," unpublished paper, July 1953

 

There'were only eight girls “at made at lees t one of their
sweaters. They ranged from some girls making only one to a girl making
three.

The type of sweater the majority seemed to want was a blue orlon
cardigan with a round neck and long 8 eaves. Rest of the girls purchased

heir sweaters at Pennys for $#.98. See Figure II.
Table III shozs a comparison of the most desired characteristics

in be uh blouses and as eaters.

Tg’ VLE III

A CO?’.P.‘RIS 011 OF CT‘LJ'LP—‘ICTFIZISAICS I-I E'T

CE‘TEI }..Slfl‘I 211-313 INT ZELOUEEEB AAD SEATS

Characteristics Blouses Sweaters
First favorite type Sport carfl‘gan
Second favorite type overblouse pull over
Favorite type of sleeve roll up long
Second favorite type of sleeve short short
Favorite type of neckline open, V neck round
Second favorite type of neckline boat high
Favorite color white blue
Second favorite color blue red
Favorite fabric cotton orlon
Second favorite fabric drip dry cotton wool
Hhere most purchases were made Pennys Pennys

Hext largest number of purchases
Price most often paid

Sext price most often paid

special cy shops
$2.98
$3.98

15

Specialty shops

23

.98

.93

4}?
Ux

3

'11
L

I

UFE II

 

16

SITUATION QBESTIONS

The situation questions were included to find.what characteristics
of blouses and sweaters the girls felt‘were most important. They were
open end questions in.which any number of characteristics could be given.

The first question was 'Jane is wearing a new blouse today, what
did you notice first about it?' From this indirect approach the investi-
gator felt that the girls generally will give characteristics they feel
are important in a blouse.

Color was mentioned by eightyasix of the 115 girls. Then style
was mentioned seventyafive times. These are the two main characteristics
they felt to be important in a blouse.

The other comments were:

How it fits her, 20
How it looks, 10

Kind of neckline, 8
Clean, neat, ironed, 7
Kind of material, 7
Kind of sleeves, 6
Kind of collar, 5

The buttons, b

The print, 3

if it was made good, 2
Type of skirt she is wearing with it, 2

If it is an overblouse, l

17

If it had a design down the front, 1
If it is too fancy for school, 1

Not rip , 1

The second situation question was 'You are going to buy a new
sweater, what are the things you are looking for?'
The first two responses were the same as the blouse question

'with color mentioned by ninetyaone girls and style by seventy-one girls.
They were consistent in their choices of color and style. However, in
buying a sweater they were more interested in it than just noticing a
blouse on someone else because they listed-more qualifications. Here are
the remaining comments:

Fabric, 1&8

Price, an

The size, 19

How it fits, 18

If it is washable, if it shrinks, 15

The quality, 12

The length of sleeve, 8

Kind of neckline, 7

The brand name, 7

Color that will go with my skirts, 7

One that I like and is becoming, 5

If it snags, 3

Best kind, desirability, 3

The sewing, 3

18

Locks, 2

Ones I don't have, 2

For what kind of wear, 1
Suitable for sporty use, 1
Ken't stretch, l

Softness, l

Colorufast, 1

Long wearing, 1

Collar, l

‘43 math. 1

There were a total of 239 responses for the blouse situation
question compared with 367 responses for the sweater situation question.
fiwanaon'ss study on sweaters concluded that Color, Fit and Fiber
or Fabric are the most important attributes in purchasing a sweater.
The girls in this study gave the same attributes for the first two of
Color and Style but regard Fit as an unspoken attribute. The Fiber or

Fabric was next in importance.

‘w v.

5. See flwanson, Charlotte,.nn..£il.n Po 51

l9

V CCUPATIOHAL CLASS COEPARISORS

TREE IV
JUIIZR O" B . LEE AND SELTITLS BY OCCUPATIONAL STAT JS CF TILE FI‘L TEE-Its

Laborers Semi-skilled skilled White collar

Average no. of blouses l7/girl ZO/girl l7/gir1 lZ/girl

Average no. of blouses Z/girl 1.7/gir1 2.n/g1r1 l/girl
made

Average no. of sweaters ll/girl ll/girl 11.6/girl 8.5/sir1

There does not appear to be any significance between the occupations
of the fathers and number of sweaters. The number of blouses seems to be
smaller for the white collar group but this may have resulted from the

fact that this group consists of a s.r aller number of fathers.

TAELE V
PRICE P.&ID FOR EUGZISES “ND S..3F‘” u.£3 BY OCCUPATIOE 3LL STA US OF T3333 FILTH"T"

Laborers Semi-skilled Skilled ‘White collar

Average price of blouses $2.98 $3.98 $3.98 $2.98
Average price of sweaters 34.93 55-93 $5.95 $5.98

The average price paid for blouses and sweaters by occupations
does ShOW'a difference. The girls of skilled and semi-skilled laborers

pay a little more for their blouses and sweaters.

6. Them m.her prices paid and the big} er number of itens in the semi-
skilled and skilled workers is probably due to the fact that these groups
have higher average incontes than laborers and white collar wort cers in

these particular communities.

-4
1

T333 ~‘ VI

%

I‘I:‘»~r.rv-""'~‘.-n.- 0F mmr":.\t‘:"‘".?"‘ 11'1' 77cm..- 3.1.“)

. \
x d I . .- t L. . . , I- .
‘LL - -.u‘I.L.-Al_’...‘ . JLiMio".U.L¢rM .44.: VL-th.)

SEEATZRS ET OCCUPATIONAL STATUS OF THE FfiTheRS

Laborers Semi-skilled Skilled White collar

, 5' 'A‘cl, ...! ’4
Go alone 50p 5U; uOr‘ 25}
1"“: ‘_ J.‘ I ..2 (3 80/ 8»! 8d.
wish mocner cop 2R .09 (R

The girls in the laborers group tend to take b ir mother'with
them to purchase blouses and sweaters less than in the other rathers'
occupational groups. leash? felt in her studies that girls consulted
their mothers more than anyone else in regard to purchases and would like
to receive compliments from her more than anyone else. She believed that
many mother-daughter controversies could be eliminated by using this to

an advantage.

7. .388 Leask, Glace, 037. Cit., 1). 8‘4

to
r...

2222023 222210220 FOR SELECTION OF 222AT2. EY A”“ 321123

lhulfi years 17-18 years
Color 70% 90;
Price 36? #03
Fabric uhfi u7§
Style 63$ -02
Fit 10$ 31%
'uash and wear 17fi 12¢

In the above table, color was mentioned by more older girls than
younger girls. The fit is of more iznportance to the older girls accord-
ing to the number mentioning it. The other factors of price, style and

wash and wear were of about equal significance.

T} 3’? VIII

$3333 0? B’“"" AXD AVERAGE :rlCE BY AG E GRL

lk~15 years 17-18 years
Ho. of blouses l7/girl ZO/girl
Average price of blouses $2.98 $2.98

The older girls have a larger number of blouses per girl which

would seem probable. The average price paid is the same for esch‘group.

”II SUE: {ART Am) CONCLUSIOL‘IS

The high school girls in this study had an average of eighteen
blouses and eleven sweaters in their wardrobes. The type of blouse
most preferred was a white tailored cotton blouse with roll-up sleeves
and small tailored collar forming a v;shaped neckline. A blue orlon
cardigan with a round neck and long sleeves was the sweater mentioned
most often. *

The average price paid for a blouse use $2.98; the average price
of a sweater was $4.98. The main source for ideas concerning kind of
blouse or sweeter to purchase was the mail order catalog. The majority
of the girls shopped with their mothers for the blouses and sweaters.

Color, style and fit were the features noticed most often in a
friend's blouse; color, style, fabric and price were considered more
often before purchasing a sweater.

Daughters of skilled and semi-skilled.workers paid more for both
blouses and sweaters than those of other occupational groups; older girls

were more concerned with color and fit than younger girls.

lhny of the findings in this study agree with similar studies of
high school girls with the following exceptions:
1. number of blouses and sweaters owned were higher in this
study.
2. The mail order catalog was used more often as a source of

ideas in this study.

23

3. The attribute of "fit" was somewhat less important in this
513W.
h. Daughters of blue collar'workers paid more for blouses and

sweaters than daughters of white collar workers.

Points two and four can perhaps be orplained by the fact that
the girls lived in a rural, iron mining community.

In general, I believe that the findings from this study will
help me to better understand the needs and preferences of these girls
in clothing courses. I feel that I an more prepared to halo them see

the factors involved in the choices that confront the high school consumer.

Agricultural imminent {Station (1959) "i.”scnsmeer satisfaction filth
u'oztion's Blouses," Part I, northeast Regional Bulletin 3}}, U. of
Rhoda Island, i'iingston, Bulletin 3&9.

Bates, Audrey and Powell. June (JULY 1960) "Survey Of 601'” Pre-
ferences in Yemen's Wardrobes," unpublished paper, 3.8.”.

Finlayeon, flies I5. (1959 "An Imreetirration of Consumer T-btivation In
Tue Selection Cf oweatere he Related To General Personal Values,"
Unpublished Master's Thesis, Cornell University.

ZEurloci—c, Elizabeth B. (1929} 'Q'iotivetion in Fashion,” Archives of
Psychology, No. 111. flow Yorl-c: Colmnoia University.

Leask, Grace (1953) ".5. Emery Of The Clothing Preference And Ruin-g;
Practices 01" 100 Girls 01‘ West Division High School in I-iilwaukoe.
Z-Jiec. Unpublished E-Ieeter's thesis Iichien State Colleee.

a . 9 o

Read, Katherine II. (flay 1950) "Clothes Help Build Persozmlity."
Journal of Home Eeonoadcs.

Rosencmng if. L. (10 48) "A Stu«“a~r {if Interest In Clothixv fer-.01? fi. Selected
9 . “V _ .5
Grow Cf aiam'ied and uwaemied women " on uolished i-aster's thesis
r ’ ,
2-“icnigan mate College. '

Keener, from (19514) "A Study Of The Clothing Preference and Saying
Practfrcee Oi‘ 100 Girls of lioosevelt High School In Chicago, Illinois,"
T‘mpu‘olished Master's Thesis, Ilichigen State College.

Eyan, Mary S. (1952) "Psychological Effects Of Clothing," Part I,
Survey of the Opinions of College Girls, Bulletin 88-2, Cornell
University Agricultural Equeriment Station, Ithaca.

Silvemnn, Sylvia £3. (19145) "Clotmrg find Pappearance: Their Psgchological
Implications For Teen-£39 Girls," I-Eew "fork: lumen of Publicatimls,
Teachers College, Columbia University.

Swanson, Charlotte (1959) "Interrelationsl'fips Among Factors Related To
Satisfaction Tn Sweaters," Conxell Uriversity.

'v'ener, Arthur LI. and Heifer, Charles (1959) "Adolescent Orientati as
To Clothing," Teckmical Bulletin 230. 270, I'lichigan State Lgr'lcultwel
Ebmemment i-Jtation, 31331: lensing.

U. S. Department of fi-rrioulture (January 19-51) ”Studies Of Family Cloth-
ing Supplies," Tre'lielnary Report 120. 3.

‘ V

U. :2. De fitment of .i‘mjrficulture (Jamm- 1951) "Studies 0:? Farm. Cloth-
Pt 1
ing Supplies , " 77m Eminery Report :30 . 5.

ATTITU ES REGARDING PUBCH
BLCUSES AND SWEATERS

Blouses

How many blouses do you have?

ASING

 

Favorite style:

 

Type of sleeve

 

Type of neckline

 

Color

 

Fabric

 

Where do you purchase your blouses?
Name of store

Usual cost

 

Where do you get ideas about a blouse yo

u want to buy?

 

 

When purchasing blouses do you go alone

or with friends ?

Do you and your mother agree on the kind of blouse you should

wear?

, with mother_____

’

 

If no, why not?

 

Do you make any of your blouses?

Sweaters

How many sweaters do you have?

If yes, how many

 

Favorite style

 

Type of sleeve

 

Type of neckline

 

Color

 

Fabric

 

 

Where do you purchase your sweaters?

Name of store

 

Usual cost

 

Where do you get ideas about a sweater you want to buy?

 

When purchasing sweaters do you go alone , with mother ,
or with friends ?
Do you and your mother agree on the kind of Sweater you should

wear?

 

If no, why not?

 

Do you make any sweaters? If yes, how many?

 

Situation Questions
Jane is wearing a new blouse today, what did you notice first

about it?

 

 

 

You are going to buy a new sweater, what are the things you are

looking for?

 

 

 

Name Age Grade

 

Father's occupation (describe in full)

 

 

How many years of Home Economics? of hH work?

 

No. of sisters No. of brothers

 

0 ’ r '- ‘ N. \
033% Or I 9:, g
~ "“"'-“z r ~ . .
M‘ufiki‘fll‘t : 2.1.1,.- {1);};g. X” I

“31 mam, mafia»;

 

 

K.S. 1960 A Problem

A ctud” of

\ o

“1““I‘v“ r~
‘ ,. ’_‘ _
.A \a .- ax

,‘ . ‘ ‘ r\
Jim 2 ; ano sweaters

 

G

will

mmWW

1293 02429