Fashion is a way of life that doesn’t just refer to the clothes we wear or shoes we have. It also means how we dress, act and speak. It’s how we present ourselves to the world, it’s our uniqueness and personality. It is something that we all have a passion for, but some people go to extremes and try to imitate others, which can sometimes cause problems. It’s important to understand what fashion is, so you can make sure that you aren’t getting carried away with the trends and that you’re doing it for yourself and not because of what others think of you.
The word ‘fashion’ derives from a Latin verb meaning ‘to go with the flow’, and the earliest forms of clothing served functional purposes like protecting against the cold and covering the body. Throughout history, however, clothing has become a tool of status and power: judges wear robes, military personnel have uniforms, brides wear white dresses. The popularity of different styles of clothing is influenced by music, art, culture and media. For example, in the 1700s, newspapers published pictures of the clothes worn by the royal families and women’s magazines provided sketches of the latest styles so that people could see what was fashionable.
It is hard to say what exactly defines fashion as it can vary from person to person. It may be the latest styles, or it could be how comfortable you feel in certain clothing. It could also be how well you match your outfits or how cosmopolitan you are. In my opinion, it should be the clothing that makes you look your best. You should always focus on wearing clothing that is timeless, and not something that will look dated in a few years time.
Many people get caught up in fashion and blindly follow the trends, often ignoring how they are affecting themselves and the environment around them. There is a lot of pressure on young people to follow the latest fashions, and this can lead to unhealthy eating habits, self-harm, depression, and body dysmorphia.
Fashion has come to be seen as a mirror of society: the miniskirt became associated with feminism, for instance, and it can be tempting to view the glamorous images that appear in glossy magazines and at prestigious fashion shows through the lens of the neoliberal economic paradigm.
Fashion isn’t a new concept but it is an ever-changing phenomenon that is shaped by various factors, such as the economy and popular culture. It’s a highly visible industry, and millions of people are involved in the buying, selling and production of clothes and accessories. It is important to remember that this industry is multi-billion dollar, and the decisions made at the top have a significant impact on the lives of people at the bottom. The current system privileges financial capital, while human and natural capital are overlooked. This is illustrated by the fact that activists from Extinction Rebellion are protesting London Fashion Week with a ‘die-in’, calling for fashion to be put in its place.