Patterns of Dressing and Wardrobe Practices of Women 55+ Years Living in Minnesota

Abstract

This research investigated the experiences of women, average age of 72 years with active lifestyles and living in one locale in the USA. Experiences of these 54 women with desired appearances and dressing patterns were determined through a survey and selected follow-up interviews. Keeping an up-to-date appearance was important to these women, as was dressing in a coordinated manner and to be neat, clean, and comfortable. The results showed a number of sustainable best practices that are needed for the 21st century, such as dressing the body using clothing already available in their wardrobes, and paying attention to the entire body in dressing, i.e. hair and other grooming practices and accessories. Such outcomes illustrate the value of understanding the older woman user in the fashion life cycle and their craft of use practices.

Keywords:

• active lifestyle
• aging
• female
• wardrobe management
• sustainable practices

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Marilyn DeLong*

Marilyn DeLong*. (corresponding author) Ph.D. is Professor of Apparel Studies in the College of Design at the University of Minnesota. Scholarly research is focused upon design history, aesthetics, material culture and activism related to design, societal and cultural trends. DeLong is author of numerous journal articles in such venues as Fashion Theory, Clothing and Textiles Research Journal, Senses & Society, Textile, Qualitative Market Research, Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management. DeLong has been co-editor of Fashion Practice, The Journal of Design, Creative Process & the Fashion industry, from its inception in 2009. She has given presentations throughout the USA and in Spain, France, England, Denmark, Korea, China, and Brazil. [email protected]

Haeun (Grace) Bang

Haeun (Grace) Bang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Consumer, Apparel, and Retail Studies at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. She holds her Ph.D. degree in Apparel Studies, minoring in Product Design, from the University of Minnesota. Her particular research interests include sustainability from environmental, social, and educational perspectives and wardrobe strategies. [email protected]