Clothing Materials
Clothing From animal sources:
Wool is very warm and moisture is absorbed slowly. It is useful in cold seasons and places. It is, however, expensive and difficult to wash.
Silk is strong, smooth, pleasant to wear, easy to wash, and suitable for the tropics, but is expensive.
Leather is weather-proof but is very expensive and difficult to maintain in the tropics. Shoes made from canvas, plastic, and other materials are often just as good.
Clothes From artificial fibres
Artificial silk and nylon are like real silk and are widely used as they are so much cheaper. Washing these fabrics is sometimes difficult.
Nylon, Terylene, Orlon and Dacron are all made fabrics and are strong, washable, and very attractive. Some need no ironing, which saves time and fuel. Care must be taken to see that garments made from these are not too tight, or severe rashes may result. They are not suitable for babies' clothes. Terylene and wool are often mixed for heavier suitings and clothes.
Cotton is cheaper, absorbant, easily washed and the best material in hot climates. It is also strong and attractive. Linen is similar to cotton but creases easily and is expensive though hardwearing. Many 'drip-dry' uncrushable cotton and linen mixtures are made which are easily worn and maintained.
Rubber and plastics keep out the wet.
Wellington boots are useful in the rain but should be removed immediately afterwards.
Plastic raincoats are useful if they are well designed for babies. However, if they do not allow the air to circulate they can cause very bad rashes around the buttocks and gentilia of children.
Clothing affects the cleanliness of th skin. Underwear needs frequent changing because it is contaminated with germs. If soiled, it is offensive, irritates the skin and causes it to be infected. The number of bacteria rises each day. The wearing of clean clothes also has a good psychological effect on people.
For pregnant women clothes should:
1. Hang from the shoulders for lightness.2. Have no tight bands around waist or tight belts around the pelvice or thigh as these restrict the circulation and cause discomfort.
3. Be attractive and simple to make. Shoes should be suitable low heels, and comfortable.
Children's clothes should be:
1. Loose–allowing free movement.2. Have no constricting bands, for example tight belts.
3. Easy to put on and take off.
4. Easy to wash.
5. Made with fastenings that are easy for toilet purposes as this helps the child to be independent sooner.
6. Like the clothes other children wear–no child likes to be too different.
7. Warm enough to keep the child comfortable.
Overclothing overheats the body and increases sweating, which cannot be evaporated–this leads to rashes known as malaria or sweat rash. All mothers tend to overclothe their children if they can afford to do so.
Children's shoes should be bought to allow for rapid growth, and are the one kind of clothing that should never be passed on from one child to another, as the foot faults are passed on also.
Premature babies need special clothing to keep them warm, and the head must be covered.
Old people's clothing should be:
1. Light and warm as they feel cold, if they have poor circulation, even in warm climates.2. Easy to take off and put on.
3. Easily washable, as old people are sometimes incontinent. Shoes should be simple as they often feel giddy if they have to deal with difficult fastenings.
An extra woollen garment is useful.
Clothings in the tropics should be:
1. Soft for comfort.2. Porous, to allow sweat to evaporate.
3. Loose, to allow air to circulate.
4. Non-irritant to the skin, for example wool should be used with care. It may cause sweat and rashes.
5. Easy to wash.
6. Clothes should be Of light colour to reflect the sun's pays and thus be cooler.
7. Clothes should be light in weight.
8. Lastly, clothes should also be attractive.
