Men's and women's preferences among selected clothing items in the 1940s

[Mangrove]

I found these two studies conducted by the Bureau of Agricultural Economics rather interesting. In the case of men they "obtained a picture of preferences of men 16 years old and over in some of their most important clothing purchases" in terms of ownership, fiber preference etc. The same was done earlier for the women. The men study was conducted in 1949 while the women study took place in 1947.

Men's preferences among selected clothing items
Women's preferences among selected textile products

 

[scottyrocks]

I got through about 20 pages. Nothing terribly conclusive considering all the variables, but then, research papers rarely lead to definite conclusions, at least in academia.

What I did enjoy, however, is that the study speaks of real clothing, not the raggamuffin look most of today's men wear in less than the business setting. Men wet out in collar shirts and trousers, not hoodies and sweat pants, for goodness sake.

 

[Mr Vim]

It's good to know that even back then government reports were just a blandly written, I felt like I was at work for a moment. Still interesting read. Good find!

 

[LizzieMaine]

A couple of interesting points jumped out of the women's report. About forty percent of those surveyed made their own housedresses, which is about what I would have expected -- but how many modern-era women have ever made so much as a single garment? There's a much higher percentage of home-sewers on the Lounge than you'd be likely to find in the general population, I'd think, but home sewing is fast becoming a rare and vanishing skill.

The other point I thought was interesting was that only five percent of the women surveyed wore "slacks" around the house. Evidently the influence of La Hepburn and other Hollywood pants-wearers has been greatly overstated.

 

[peter1brown]

It's an individual choice but I prefer designer clothing shirts and jackets. And during my sports time when I am in the ground or stadium, I always wear polo shirts.

 

[peter1brown]

The report simply points out of the fashion trend and popularity of latest designs.

 

[filfoster]

I got through about 20 pages. Nothing terribly conclusive considering all the variables, but then, research papers rarely lead to definite conclusions, at least in academia.

What I did enjoy, however, is that the study speaks of real clothing, not the raggamuffin look most of today's men wear in less than the business setting. Men we(n)t out in collar shirts and trousers, not hoodies and sweat pants, for goodness sake.

And hats. Hats.

 

[tuppence]

A couple of interesting points jumped out of the women's report. About forty percent of those surveyed made their own housedresses, which is about what I would have expected -- but how many modern-era women have ever made so much as a single garment? There's a much higher percentage of home-sewers on the Lounge than you'd be likely to find in the general population, I'd think, but home sewing is fast becoming a rare and vanishing skill.

The other point I thought was interesting was that only five percent of the women surveyed wore "slacks" around the house. Evidently the influence of La Hepburn and other Hollywood pants-wearers has been greatly overstated.

It's often cheaper to buy, rather than knit and sew your own now a days