Clothing buying practices of employed single black women from three social classes

Abstract

Purpose of this research was to investigate clothing buying practices of single black women from different socio-economic levels. Data were provided in a self-administered questionnaire by 141 single black women, 18-40 years old, employed in Washington, D.C. The sample was classified approximately evenly into upper-middle, lower-middle, and upper-lower socio-economic categories according to McGuire-White Short Form Index of Social Status. Chi square test for independence was used to test for significant differences among groups in relation to: their pre-planning of purchases; stores they patronized; methods of payment they used; and factors influencing their personal clothing selection. Major findings were: (1) upper-middle class women were least likely to pre-plan price to be paid for garments, have a charge account limit, but more inclined to shop only one store before buying a $12.00 item and have a regular charge account; (2) the lower-middle class women were most likely to feel uncomfortable about their clothing; and (3) upper-lower women were most likely to pre-plan number of garments to buy, spending for $3.00 items, use catalogs for comparison shopping and to prefer a relative or male friend shopping companion and value girl friends' opinion about apparel. They were least inclined to believe clothing indicates social status or gives the wearer self-assurance and to have regular charge accounts or carry credit cards when shopping.