Clothing

(See also List of types of clothing and Clothing terminology)

Related Topics:
List of types of clothing - Clothing terminology

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Humans nearly universally wear articles of clothing (also known as dress, garments, or attire) on the body. In its broadest sense, clothing is defined as coverings for the torso and limbs as well as coverings for hands (gloves), feet (shoes, sandals, boots), and head (hats, caps). For the alternative, see nudity.

Related Topics:
Body - Glove - Shoe - Sandal - Boot - Hat - Cap - Nudity

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Articles carried rather than worn (such as purses, canes, and umbrellas) are normally counted as accessories rather than as clothing. Jewelry and eyeglasses are usually counted as accessories as well, even though in common speech these items are described as worn rather than carried.

Related Topics:
Purse - Cane - Umbrella - Accessories - Jewelry - Eyeglasses

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As humans we also decorate our bodies with makeup or cosmetics, perfume, and other ornamentation; we also cut, dye, and arrange the hair of our heads, faces, and bodies (see hairstyle), and sometimes also mark our skin (by tattoos, scarifications, and piercings). All these decorations contribute to the overall effect and message of clothing, but do not constitute clothing per se.

Related Topics:
Makeup - Cosmetics - Perfume - Ornament - Face - Hairstyle - Tattoo - Scarification - Piercing

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People wear clothing for functional as well as for social reasons. Clothing protects the body from the extremes of weather and other features of our environment. But every article of clothing also carries a cultural and social meaning, which is discussed further below and in the article Social aspects of clothing.

Related Topics:
Weather - Cultural - Social aspects of clothing

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