THE ROLE OF CLOTHING IN THE FORMATION OF HUMAN IDENTITY AND SOCIAL STRUCTURE.

Abstract

Clothing has occupied an important place in human society since ancient times. It functions not only as a practical means of protecting the human body from external environmental influences, but also as a complex cultural, religious, social, and psychological phenomenon. Throughout the process of historical development, clothing has become an important medium through which the social structure, cultural values, aesthetic views, and personal identity of different civilizations are expressed. The study of clothing from a socio-psychological perspective provides a deeper understanding of how individuals present themselves, interact with society, and construct specific social and cultural meanings through their appearance. This article analyzes the role of clothing in the formation of human identity, its significance as a means of social communication, and its place in cultural representation. The research is based on historical and theoretical sources related to costume studies, fashion psychology, and cultural studies. According to the results of the study, clothing can be interpreted not only as a material object but also as a symbolic system that reflects the complex relationship between individual identity and society.