Korean Women's Clothing Behaviors Observed by the Korean Who Has Lived in the U.S.A.

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association 2001;39(1):11-27.

미국거주 경험자의 시각에서 본 한국 여성의 의복 행동

최선형, 오현주

가톨릭대학교 의류학 전공

Korean Women's Clothing Behaviors Observed by the Korean Who Has Lived in the U.S.A.

최선형, 오현주

ABSTRACT

The purposes of this study are to (1) point out Korean women's clothing behaviors as seen by the Korean who has lived in the U.S.A. (2) identify cultural and social factors to influence on Korean women's clothing behaviors (3) suggest directions for desirable change in clothing consumption behaviors of Korean women. Verbatim texts of 16 interviews concerning Korean women's perception and experiences of fashion in Korea and the U.S. are interpreted through the analysis of the interviews. The results are as follows: 1) In Korea, the changes in fashion are not only distinct but also foster then those in America. 2) Korean women have a tendency to conform in the way they dress themselves, while the women in the U.S.A. put emphasis on the individuality rather than the current fashion. 3) When they go shopping, Korean women take a great note of what the brands represent, but their American counterparts take the neatness, easeness of cleaning and practicality into consideration. 4) In Korea, the clothing behaviors are influenced by the rapid social changes, its internalization trend, the traditional Confucianism and the pressure to conform according to the collectivism.