Fashion and Culture
By Syndi Victor
Our lives are significantly influenced by fashion. The goal of the fashion industry is to appeal to everyone and meet their need for self-expression through style. Our lives include multiple uses for fashion. In addition to protecting against the elements, clothing serves as a bridge between people from various social backgrounds. Since we live in a multicultural environment, fashion also aids in understanding the history and culture of others. Every civilization has a historical dress that conveys much about its past.
Today, we can say confidently that fashion dramatically influences our mood, making us happier and more at ease. Our noteworthy life moments are often made more unforgettable by apparel. What fashion is and what it symbolizes are topics of much debate. Is it merely clothing? Fashion and style—are they distinct? Is fashion an artistic expression? Fashion is frequently referred to as “the business.” Namely, the creative expression of clothing companies, brands, and creators.
It is a multinational endeavor with a presence all over the world and the power to disrupt the economy. For instance, the fashion sector in France is extensively regulated and backed by the political establishment due to its social and economic importance to the nation. We express who we are and, more crucially, whom we want to be through our garments. Fashion represents us. It is, in essence, a language.
Our history and our aspirations are intertwined with our clothing. For instance, saris were once adorned without a top or petticoat. These outfits didn’t become prevalent until the British Raj when they were deemed indecent by pious Victorians. The heritage of India is woven into the sari in this way. The design and production of our clothing are traditionally passed down so that our societies and cultural identities are ingrained within the manufacturing methods, resources, and end products.
Our everyday life experiences are practically woven into our attire, representing the evolution of humanity as a whole. We embody our history, ideology, and culture when we wear a sweater in the morning, drape a scarf around ourselves when cold, or don fancy clothes for a celebration, generating an aesthetic interpretation of our identity. Still, “fashion” refers to something in trend or “of the moment”—a zeitgeist. What’s “in vogue” at any particular time reflects broader societal, political, and artistic tendencies.
Nithyaprakash Venkatasamy’s study, “Fashion trends and their impact on the society,” written in September 2015, explains, “Fashion communication, unlike verbal communication, messages transmitted through fashion symbols are often emotional impressions. In other words, they reflect the clothing attitude of the person.”
A society’s principles are created and constantly changing following its embrace of new beliefs and the development of new traditions. Fashion trends will always reflect this societal evolution. Fashion isn’t only a loftily presented image of a reimagined good old value to serve any purpose or agenda; it’s an enticing and innovative concept deserving of being portrayed for society’s approval that renders us even more instinctual.
Today’s kids strive to understand fashion trends and embrace the dress style that best reflects their ideals and personality features to express their emotions. The appeal of visual perception has given prominence to everyday clothing and cognitive involvement, according to trickle-through theory. Small pleasures are brought to life by fashion, which makes you joyful when you least expect it. Wear anything you want with boldness and feel fantastic because fashion is an art form, and you are the creator!