# What counts as clothing? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Tags:** fashion-clothing\ **Created:** [April 14, 2025, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-counts-as-clothing/1017054 "2025-04-14T22:55:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-counts-as-clothing/1017054/21 "2025-04-15T13:38:20Z")
A person is legally clothed if there are two layers of cloth over the naughty bits. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-counts-as-clothing/1017054/22 "2025-04-15T13:51:19Z")
But not clothing. You can’t remove paint and put the same paint back on. I’m not saying that’s an important difference though. Other things can have the same function as clothing. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-counts-as-clothing/1017054/23 "2025-04-15T13:55:41Z")
If shoes count as clothing, that “Totally Nude Girls” joint down by the airport has been ripping men off for years. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-counts-as-clothing/1017054/24 "2025-04-15T14:11:42Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > You can’t remove paint and put the same paint back on. You can put the same pattern, though. ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-counts-as-clothing/1017054/25 "2025-04-15T14:20:01Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > So an earing is clothing to you? Good point. I hadn’t considered that. But a sign-board or a barrel would be clothing, albeit very uncomfortable, in my view. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-counts-as-clothing/1017054/26 "2025-04-15T14:20:40Z")
> [@Andy\_L](#): > > But a sign-board or a barrel would be clothing, albeit very uncomfortable, in my view. Not mine. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-counts-as-clothing/1017054/27 "2025-04-15T14:30:06Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > that “Totally Nude Girls” joint down by the airport has been ripping men off for years Well $20 for a beer? Yeah I think so! ---
**Author:** ![DemonTree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/demontree/32/8646_2.png) [@DemonTree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DemonTree)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-counts-as-clothing/1017054/28 "2025-04-15T14:42:03Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Art imitating clothes > Art imitating clothes > Clothes > Clothes Interesting. I think of the mobile phone case dress as clothing moreso than the fursuit, maybe because the latter isn’t conforming to the shape of the body at all? 🤔 I’d think of most costumes as clothing, but something like an inflatable sumo wrestler suit, no. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-counts-as-clothing/1017054/29 "2025-04-15T15:01:15Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Also, “protection from the elements” was perhaps not the best wording there, I didn’t just mean weather, but also abrasions and pokes and stuff like that There are human groups who go nearly naked in conditions which have lots of possiblities for abrasions and pokes; and again humans always or nearly always wear something even when living in places and conditions in which climate isn’t an issue. I wonder whether it was containment of menstrual fluid: meaning among other things that one didn’t leave a blood trail. We were prey animals through most of our history, after all. That might explain the strong connection with wearing something over the genitals. And, if it lead to general concealment of sex organs leading to at least some part of our weirdness about sex, it might lend a whole additional meaning to an old name for “the curse”. > [@Melbourne](#): > > My dad wore a belt and nothing else as a Navy officer Routinely in all public circumstances, nothing other than a belt?! > [@DemonTree](#): > > How do these examples strike you? Clothes or not clothes? > > - Lady Gaga’s meat dress > - A dress made from old mobile phone cases that I saw a guy making on YouTube > - Latex fetish clothing > - A fursuit made from fabric All clothes. > [@puzzlegal](#): > > Huh, a purse is an accessory. I really don’t think it’s an article of clothing Agreeing with puzzlegal. At least, unless somebody with nothing else to hand tied one around themselves to conceal their genitals (or whatever their society conceals.) In that case, it would become clothing for as long as it was in that use. > [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > A person is legally clothed if there are two layers of cloth over the naughty bits Why two? A swimsuit might only have one; even in areas where keeping the suit on is legally required. > [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > If shoes count as clothing, that “Totally Nude Girls” joint down by the airport has been ripping men off for years. Shoes are still clothing. The customers understand what “totally nude” means in that context. In the other direction, sleeves don’t stop being clothing because nobody in this society says that someone wearing a sleeveless shirt and pants is going naked. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-counts-as-clothing/1017054/30 "2025-04-15T15:15:14Z")
@thorny_locust and @puzzlegal, what is your differentiation between a clothing accessory and clothing? Not arguing; curious. To me a scarf is an item of clothing. Yes a handbag. My pork pie hat. My tie. They are not as independent items an outfit but they are part and parcel of a clothing outfit. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-counts-as-clothing/1017054/31 "2025-04-15T15:23:06Z")
Certainly. And paint can also be protection. I don’t see the imprecise distinction of ‘clothing’ to be that important compared to the specific function. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-counts-as-clothing/1017054/32 "2025-04-15T15:53:09Z")
I’m not who you were asking but I think “clothing” has to involve either protection or covering. It doesn’t have to be the only purpose or even the main purpose but it has to serve on of those functions. And that means hats and scarves and gloves and possibly shoes depends on the exact style - is it a knit cap to keep warm or a hat with a brim to shade my eyes? Then it’s clothing. Is it more of a fascinator style? Then it’s not clothing. A purse is no more clothing than my reusable grocery bag is. Especially since it’s sometimes impossible to tell the difference between a canvas tote sold as a grocery /lunch bag and one sold as a handbag. > [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > A person is legally clothed if there are two layers of cloth over the naughty bits. So if I’m not wearing underwear under my T shirt and shorts, I’m not “clothed” ? ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-counts-as-clothing/1017054/33 "2025-04-15T16:52:27Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > @thorny_locust and @puzzlegal, what is your differentiation between a clothing accessory and clothing? Not arguing; curious. > > To me a scarf is an item of clothing. Yes a handbag. My pork pie hat. My tie. They are not as independent items an outfit but they are part and parcel of a clothing outfit I’m not sure. I’d consider the scarf, the hat, and the tie to all be clothing items. Maybe because a handbag often has to be actively hung on to, while all the others, once you’ve got them on, stay on until you actively take them off? But that would seem to imply that a handbag worn on a crossbody strap would become part of clothing, and it doesn’t for me. The handbag just seems to me to be essentially separated from the body in a way that the others, while being worn, aren’t. > [@TriPolar](#): > > I don’t see the imprecise distinction of ‘clothing’ to be that important compared to the specific function. Agreeing; but noting that any given item of clothing is very often serving more than one function simultaneously. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-counts-as-clothing/1017054/34 "2025-04-15T17:06:32Z")
I was listening to a podcast about the origins of clothing, the expert suggested starting with the definition of clothing. His definition was “Clothing refers to items worn to cover the body.” Thus: 1. The item is worn 2. The item has a purpose 3. The purpose is to cover the body Is a hat clothing? It’s an item worn to cover the head. Clothing Purse? It’s an item carried to hold things. Not Clothing Body Paint? It’s not really an “item”. Not Clothing ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-counts-as-clothing/1017054/35 "2025-04-15T18:12:31Z")
The argument then becomes tautological: if we define clothing as an item with the function of cover then something whose function is primarily not to cover but to signify is not clothing. It is perhaps “dress”, even if it be also covers some portion of the body, and even if it originated from an item that had a primary function of body coverage. I find it an unsatisfactory definition and argument. Another question: we obviously cannot know exactly at what point ancient humans used clothing as a means of social signaling as well as protection (despite my WAG it was concurrent since body paint signaling was likely already in use), but among current HG populations is there any social signaling use (dress) use of clothing? ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-counts-as-clothing/1017054/36 "2025-04-15T18:37:29Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > if we define clothing as an item with the function of cover then something whose function is primarily not to cover but to signify is not clothing. I don’t think the definition requires covering be the primary or only purpose, just that the purpose is served by the item. Take something like a police uniform. Filled with signaling. Many of the pieces are still clothing despite the entire design focused on signaling that the individual is a police officer. Shirt, pants, socks, shoes, hat, jacket, all clothing. In addition to signaling, they serve the purpose of covering the body. Badge, duty belt, radio, holster, not clothing. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-counts-as-clothing/1017054/37 "2025-04-15T18:48:20Z")
There’s a scene in the motion picture version of _In the Name of the Rose_ where a bunch of medieval monks argue about whether Christ owned his own robes. I couldn’t help but think of that scene when I read through a few of these posts. But what was this board created for if not answering the question how many angels could dance on the head of a pin? Clothing is made from textiles, animals, and I suppose some synthetic material that is typically fairly flexible in nature. A gold necklace is not clothing. A tiara is not clothing. A headband made from leather is clothing. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-counts-as-clothing/1017054/38 "2025-04-15T19:04:23Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > A gold necklace is not clothing. A tiara is not clothing. A headband made from leather is clothing Is a necklace made from leather clothing? Again, I don’t think we’re going to get a precise answer; though it’s fun discussing the factors involved in trying to get one. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-counts-as-clothing/1017054/39 "2025-04-15T19:14:59Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > Is a necklace made from leather clothing? Son of a %#%#! You got me! It’s like a tomato. Technically it’s fruit but in our hearts it’s a vegetable. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-counts-as-clothing/1017054/40 "2025-04-15T19:27:06Z")
> [@doreen](#): > > I’m not who you were asking but I think “clothing” has to involve either protection or covering. It doesn’t have to be the only purpose or even the main purpose but it has to serve on of those functions. And that means hats and scarves and gloves and possibly shoes depends on the exact style - is it a knit cap to keep warm or a hat with a brim to shade my eyes? Then it’s clothing. Is it more of a fascinator style? Then it’s not clothing. A purse is no more clothing than my reusable grocery bag is. This. And it’s probably made of something like cloth, although there are edge cases. But i don’t think a handbag is even an edge case. It’s just a bag, not an article of clothing. The head band is an edge case to me. The necklaces are all jewelry, not clothing. A leather belt that holds your pants up is an edge case. A suit of armor is an edge case. I honestly can’t imagine a definition of “clothing” that includes handbags, though. What else is included? Earrings? Finger nail polish? A gun worn in a holster? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-counts-as-clothing/1017054.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-counts-as-clothing/1017054.md?page=3)