Down to earth, literal, concrete meanings, forward,backward ('longnitudinal') meanings, t.r.a.


I. General functions of clothes are :-

(a) to cover body, keep it warm, etc
(b) to keep you modest etc.
(c) to protect body from injury, e.g. shoes, motorcycle leathers, etc.
(Note that the above covering functions also mean that the function of the body part covered may be impeded, e.g. knickers on make it difficult to defecate appropriately).
II. Specific functions of clothes, include, as in this picture, to do gymnastics or go swimming
The specific type of clothing will have specific meanings, since they are associated with various specific activities, engaged in in various specific types of place, e.g. swimming costume, and determine the meaning of, say a child presenting the article to her parent. So, in t.r.a., if a child gives her mother her swimming costume the meaning obviously = "I want to go swimming!"
(If the item is actually given to the mother, the meaning is perhaps specifically "Take this with us and let's go to the baths, and when we get there you can help me put it on", rather than a request that the mother put the costume on the child right there and then, which might be signalled by the child merely holding the costume by her body).
Particular types of clothing for particular body parts will derive their meanings and associations from that body part. In turn the putting of the item on, or the taking off, of the item will derive a meaning.
Positive or negative functions achieved by putting clothes on , may of course be reversed by taking them off.

More remote, 'vertical' meanings, 'Freudian' psychoanalytic meanings



I. General meanings of clothes:-

parent dresses the young child), these can represent:-

the MOTHER.

II. Specific meanings of clothes:-

A specific piece of clothing, or a specific part of this, may have a specific meaning.
For example, the neck part of a top or jumper or dress or costume etc., may have a special connotation.
This is associated with the female breast, especially that of the mother. If the neck is tight there may be an association of the neck of the dress with a controlling, and constricting type of mother.