Why do humans like to adorn themselves with jewels, tattoos, nice clothes?

Question

Other animals just live in their own skins just fine n' dandy

Answer 1

Psychological insecurity...

we allow others to make us feel "unspecial" and so we overcompensate.

It wasn't always like that... people used to use costumes to identify the leader of a group.

But these days, it's just good old fashioned "look at me... love me".

Answer 2

Animals have developed the ability to grow colored plumes or let of attractive scents when attempting to attract a mate.

Humans do too, but we take it a step further as culture has progressed and competition increased.

Answer 3

Cuz humans are humans not animals.

Answer 4

1) To attract the opposite s*x. Although this is a bit of a cultural construct as what is viewed as being beautiful in one culture may not be viewed that way in another. The women of the Mursi tribe in Ethiopia cut and insert baked clay discs into their lips and stretch them as far as they can. The larger their lip disc, the more likely they are to find a husband.

2) Status. I wear a wedding ring on the third finger (counting from right to left) of my left hand to show that I am married. The amount and quality of jewelry worn by someone can indicate their wealth.

3) People wear clothes for 2 reasons: modesty, and to protect themselves from the cold and the sun.

Answer 5

Because we're Vain. We think We're SO "hot stuff"- that if we add even MORE "adornment"- that we'll look even BETTER!  :0  MEANWHILE; the Cows, Cats & Chickadees- are ALL looking at Us & thinking, "What IS their Problem??! They put ALL that Ugly STUFF all over Their bodies to hide it... Are they Ashamed of it- or Something??!"  :)

Answer 6

Marketing and lack of a positive identity.

Answer 7

that  perticular group of humans are a bunch of idiots,dont waste your time worrying about it.........

Answer 8

Since humans do not have the ability to change colours to attract the opposite s*x,  like some animals and fish do,  then we adorn ourselves with jewellery,  tattoos,  etc.  Sometimes people go to extremes though,  just to impress or else to hide an inferiority complex.

Answer 9

The same reason you would drive a car to go somewhere, or the same reason you would sleep on a bed, or use a computer. Just following someones example.

Answer 10

We've sure been doing it for a long time!

Clothes often have an important protective function.

But they're also part of attracting mates, and asserting authority and status, which is what the other stuff's about, too.

Answer 11

Kahlil Gibran said that by adorning our bodies we make a statement about how ugly we feel ourselves to be, but I have a couple of nice rings and I don't think it's that deep

Answer 12

It is a status symbol for some, others feel pretty wearing a pretty piece of costume jewelry bought at the local drug store. Is the desire to feel pretty something exclusive to humans? Maybe the conscious desire to look what is determined "pretty" by whatever standard you submit yourself to. A lot of birds attract mates through displays of bright plumage, may not be a conscious effort of the bird to look pretty, but looks are a key factor.