ABSTRACT

 This study examined the clothing preferences of school aged children in rural and urban areas in Umuahia in Abia State. Factors that influence the clothing selection of school aged children were discussed. Also reasons for wearing clothing were discussed. Children's clothing and types of children's clothing were highlighted. The problems the encounter in their clothing selection were also identified. Suggestions for improving the clothing preferences of school aged children were highlighted. Four primary schools were selected using purposive sampling methods. 200 validated structured questionnaires were administered to bother male and female pupils aged 6-I 1 years by simple random method. 200 fully completed questionnaires were returned. Frequencies, simple percentages, chi-square and means were used in analyzing the data. Retilis from the data revealed that the most commonly worn clothes by the school aged children were already made clothes (35%) and combination of both already made and custom-made (35%) clothes. Fifty-two percent (52%) of the children studied reported that their clothes were bought by their mother (42% rural, 62% urban) compared to the 38% who reported that their father purchased their clothing 943% rural, 33% urban). Clothes worn by the children were purchased at various places such as exclusive boutiques 9 18%), roadside boutiques (20%), bend down boutiques (24.5%) and shops in the market where newly made clothes are sold (37.5%). Major factors identified from this study that influenced clothing preference of the school aged children were family income (68.3%), school environment (52.3%), peer group (61 .3%), colour of fabric/garment (69.3d/0), weather conditions of the day (52.84%), occasions (55%) and family members' clothing practices (51 .8%). The most predominant problems faced by the school aged children in their clothing preferences were children's choice of colour and fanciful clothes, problems of finance in the family, cost of materials, selection of best quality clothes by child and inability of disabled children to get the type of clothing they need respectively. The most advocated solution suggested by the children as one of the ways of improving their clothing preferences was that government should increase the salaries of civil servants and pay them on time to enable them meet up the family needs, including clothing.