Correspondent Inference: Theoretical Framework for Viewing Clothed Appearances

Clothing and textiles researchers recognize the need for theory building, including borrowing ideas from root disciplines. Appearance has been treated as dressing for either a single role or a single situation. Yet single situation preparation is often unlikely in urban life. Sociologists recognize that role strain, created by demands of multiple-roles, is normal and actors find ways to minimize it. Appearance may either magnify or minimize role strain in multiple-role situations. Ideas from correspondent inference, an aspect of attribution theory, are presented as a basis for exploring multiple-role dressing, and they are illustrated with comments added by respondents in several studies in which the instruments focused on single situations. Potential research approaches, researchable questions from the points of view of actors and perceivers, and resources whose ideas seem appropriate to refocus on multiple-role dressing also are suggested. Potential explorations of multiple-role dressing seem as limitless as actors, perceivers, and situations.