The purposes of this study were to identify the most explainable socioeconomic variables influencing clothing selection criteria, and to explore the difference in the clothing seletion criteria among the groups with status inconsistencies. A questionnaire was developed to collect data for clothing selection criteria, and socioeconomic status. Socioeconomic status was measured by education and occupation of husband and wife, and family income. Status inconsistency was defined by the inconsistencies among education, income and occupation. Data were obtained from 369 housewives living in Seoul area. The results of this study were as follows: 1) The education of housewives was the most important variable influencing clothing selection criteria. 2) When the subjects were divided into three groups according to their status inconsistency group, there were partially significant differneces among groups in clothing selection criteria. The "overprivileged" status group attached more importance to the fashionability and psychological dependence than the other status group. The "underprivileged" status group attached more importance to the practicality and ecnomy than the other status group. And when the subject were divided into three groups according to their social mobility, there were sgnificant differences among groups in clothing selection criteria.