Kladeranalyse

Kladeranalyse, often translated as clothing analysis, is an interdisciplinary field focused on garments and apparel within historical, cultural, technical, and sociopolitical contexts. The term is used in Scandinavian academic and museum settings to describe systematic study of clothing as both material objects and cultural signifiers. The field draws on fashion studies, textile science, anthropology, history, and museology to examine how garments are designed, produced, worn, and interpreted, and how they relate to identity, status, labor, and environmental impact.

Analytical approaches include technical assessment of construction and materials (fiber content, weave or knit structure, seams, dyes, finishing), iconographic and stylistic analysis of design features, and archival research on fashion histories and brands. Researchers may also conduct wear testing, fit analysis, and studies of consumer behavior and representation. Data sources include museum collections, designer archives, industry records, and fieldwork with makers and wearers.

Applications encompass design research and product development, textile conservation and curatorship, fashion history and cultural analysis, and policy discussions around sustainability and labor practices. As a discipline, kladeranalyse emphasizes the garment as a complex artifact—the result of technical craft, economic systems, and cultural meaning—rather than as mere decoration. While terminology and emphasis vary by region, the field serves scholars, curators, designers, and policymakers aiming to understand clothing in its full contextual complexity.