Maslows Hierarchy of Needs and Clothes

http://foxhugh.com/2016/01/04/maslows-hierarchy-of-needs-and-clothes/

Maslows Hierarchy of Needs explains human behavior by positing there is a hierarchy of needs
and that we deal with more basic needs before moving on to the next set of needs. Clothes serve
a multitude of needs and this article will analyze how clothes satisfy these needs.
Physiological
Humans have the basic need of not being too cold or too hot. Clothing protects us from the
elements. This is clothings original purpose. Clothes augment our basic need for shelter. This
need is met pretty easily and in an industrialized culture with ubiquitous air conditioning and
heating, other needs that are higher up the hierarchy are more important. However, when the
zombies take over then gear that fulfills this basic will become more important and modern
technology allows for clothes that can protect us in ways our ancestors could never have
imagined. Outdoor clothes that are outrageously expensive protect us from the elements but also
allow us to get more respect and handle our esteem needs. The hunter buying clothes at Walmart
is probably looking for value. The person shopping for outdoor gear at the North Face may
actually be more motivated by esteem needs than physiological needs. I deal with this subject at
BEST Zombie Gear by Category.
Safety
Human have the need to feel safe. Clothes can protect us from the elements but other humans
are generally far more dangerous. The first thing early humans figure out is that if someone tries
to bash your head in then a helmet is probably a good idea. The arms race to create more
effective body armor continues to this day. Wearing militaristic clothing in a safe developed

Maslows Hierarchy of Needs and Clothes

http://foxhugh.com/2016/01/04/maslows-hierarchy-of-needs-and-clothes/
country may actually be a way to meet belongingness needs. Wearing expensive border line
body armor type clothing in a safe country is probably a way to meet esteem needs.
Love/Belonging
Humans have the need to be loved and to belong to a social group. Clothing can be an
expression of love and the most obvious expression of love of this sort is jewelry. Uniforms are
top down expressions of belonging. Fashion tribes are overtly down top expressions of
belongingness. Gang wear may be forced on members and be top down or be more like a
fashion tribe depending on the gang.
Esteem
Humans want respect and status. Clothes can become totally removed from their original
physiological function and become means of garnering respect. Clothes can become a form of
conspicuous consumption that confers respect and status to the wearer. High fashion serves
esteem needs and the more expensive and impractical the better!
Self-Actualization
The person is focused on realizing their potential and therefore comes up with a system to spend
less time worrying about fashion. Many productive people wear the same set of clothing every
day in order to be more productive. The foremost example was Steve Jobs who wore his
signature black turtleneck with jeans and sneakers every single day. The outfit formula is one
way to spend less time on clothes and more time on more important endeavors.