Is fashion Important to Identity?
The fashion industry is something that is changing and evolving every single day. Interestingly, the change is mostly within people’s minds and imaginations and creates an amazing way of expressing creativity. Today, there are different types of clothing and accessories that influence a person’s outer look. The clothes on people’s bodies can tell a story about where they are from or what kind of religious backgrounds they follow, what type of business they are established with, or simply what they are currently interested in and showing their creative part of mind. People who say that fashion has no part of their life are forgetting the simple fact that everyone must get dressed to go anywhere and look normal in this world. Even if it may not be important to them, it will show the importance of how it affect others. While some people believe that fashion has no importance into creating an identity, fashion is inevitably something a human deals with every day that speaks volume about a person and expresses feelings throughout an outer appearance.
Throughout the fashion world, there are many people who use fashion to say something about themselves and to be who they want to be. To them, this can be a very important aspect. No matter where or who a person is, the fashion industry affects them (Adamins). In everyday life, people go into their closet and pick out how they may choose to look that day. Some choose to look professional and neat, while some others look the complete opposite. Whatever citizens prefer will stick an image into others minds on how they like to look and approach others. Clothes can tell a story, showing others that a fashion statement shows that they might be timid, or the fact that the person just does not care (“Dress”). Most people need to always remember is to wear something that they will feel comfy in, as their confidence and ease will show through making them look more attractive than ever (Grosjean). Some may use their creative part of mind to inspire a look that may be a little out of the box to anyone but themselves, but that is what fashion is all about. There are all kinds of trends in existence at any given time, for people with alternative taste (Grosjean). Aim to create an image and appearance that will stick in other people’s memories.
The fashion industry, in reality, is about much more then just making clothes and selling them. Fashion comes from a long history in the garment center of promoting the immigrants American dream and its impact on the US economy as one of the nation’s largest manufacturing sectors (Admins). Fashion designers seek to create new ideas and pieces, pushing the boundaries to create distinctive and sometimes controversial concepts (Grosjean). There are many jobs that come from within in fashion industry that most people would not notice. There is also a lasting tradition in the fashion world of bringing women into the workplace (Admins). Women create so many designs and ideas for others to choose from and some, being fashion designers, spend their lifetime making different genres of clothes for all types of citizens. From designers to tailors, there are so many businesses that branch off from the fashion industry.
When a budget comes into play with an individual’s shopping, people who shop for the clothes they wear must be smart as to where they want to spend their money. The fashion industry’s importance comes from its ability to consume peoples spending money in massive quantities (Admins). Humanity should always care about where their money goes (Admins). People must make hasty decisions on not only what they may be interested in, but what type of clothing they may need for what type of business or job they are in. However, to look the fiercest and the finest, people might not need the most expensive piece of clothing on the market. Keeping clothing pressed, stain free and well-tailored to look put together and ready for a great day is all someone needs to make a statement with their wardrobe (Mckean).
In business, people find that fashion is a way to read people and understand a little bit about how they carry themselves. Even if some may not be a big fan of fashion, it is still important to take your work attire seriously. The way a person will dress impacts how their employers perceive them or, in some cases, how well they are at doing their job (Mckean). If someone were to show up to work with their hair in a messy bun, sweatpants and tennis shoes, it would make humanity think differently of them rather than if they had taken the time to do their hair and make-up, throw on a stylish blazer and some work appropriate shoes. If someone has left work and their shirt is still tucked in, this may suggest someone who takes much pride in their job (“Dress”). Always remember to never fail on make-up, hair, and personal hygiene (Mckean). Few may say that this is not fashion related, but all of these factors play a big part in an outer appearance and put a bigger impact on your full wardrobe when you are clean and looking sharp. The better or more appropriately people dress in any situation dictates how much influence that they can hope to gain (“Dress”). When coming into work with an in-appropriate attire, coworkers may think that some people focus only on their social life and not their job (Mckean). The amount of work someone puts into their work wardrobe will prove that they are ready for a professional career (Mckean). The statement “Dress for Success” should never be forgotten when trying to achieve the goal of being successful in your business life!
In fashion, there are many different things that inspire different people and show the creativity that is around the world. Many people may think that they are individuals and they choose what to wear without outside influence, but chances are that someone else has already worn the same look that someone else has created too (Samuels). Our population tends to get these ideas and creations from popular fashion icons and celebrities that people admire. Fashion evokes images of supermodels and runway shows (“Adamins”). If a persons favorite artist or actor just designed a new fashion line and they look up to them, in most cases they would want to be just like them and buy something that they have created. This shows that the entertainment industry is something that impacts many. Most of the population are all subtly influences by what they may enjoy watching on the television (“Dress”). From television shows like “Project Runway” and “Americas Next Top Model” to the numerous fashion magazines on newsstands, it seems that America just can not get enough (Samuels). The fashion business is one that is ever growing, changing, and influencing the way that people think, act, and look (Samuels). Those who are very interested in being fashionable, will tend to keep a close eye on fashion magazines for up to date information and to see reception of new looks (Grosjean). Even though many people get their ideas from others and seek their own personal appearance based off of the entertainment business, each human creates their own stylish ways with what they put on their bodies that show that each and every one of the people in the population has their own fashion identity.
Cultures and religions other areas highly impacted by fashion. The immense impact that fashion has on today’s culture and daily life is evident everywhere someones turns (Samuels).With this said, fashion is something that people express throughout their beliefs and their religions. Certain elements of fashion can be a part of rituals in cultures or coming of age type of experiences (Plant). It is important to know the fashion and customs of certain religions to understand different cultures in the world (Rubin). Amy Plant, who has worked in the fashion industry, states that she also notices that fashion can play a significant role in showing a person’s specific culture and religion and can emphasize on the way that you can see this though out there outer shell. She said that in the Islamic religion, they believe that the way people dress should be modest and that is why they decide to wear scarves around their head, called a hijab. They wear these hijabs to not only make a fashion statement but to make more of a religious statement and show that their bodies are not for others to enjoy (Plant). Also, there are other cultures which do such things as lip stretching, and placing a dot on their forehead that reflects on their ceremonies and rituals (Plant). Some pieces of clothing remain almost synonymous with the cultures which crafted them (Rubin).
Not only is culture something to do with religions and beliefs but it also has part in where human beings are located in the world. As Coco Chanel would say, “Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only, fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, and what is happening” (Rubin). In the USA, there are four clothing types: Rock, Urban, West Coast, and Alaskan. The rock style of Americans can be broken down into smaller groups: Punk rock, gothic, and emo. The urban type is oriented with hip hop and rap music, and started back in the 1980’s. West coast fashion styles are very relaxed, classy, or conservative. The Alaskans have to dress accordingly due to the cold climates in the north (Rubin). Time also serves as a constant in which the fashion of clothing evolves (Rubin). A number of older looks are currently regaining popularity, and these looks are often referred to as retro (Grosjean). These different breakdowns of fashion show how there is influences that are stretched throughout many areas of the world and are categorized.
When asked about the different breakdowns of fashion, Plant explained to be that these also result in fashion being stereotypical. Fashion influences stereotypes. There are all kinds of trends in existence at any given time, for people with alternative taste (Grosjean). Fashion references to anything that is the current trend in look and dress up of a person (Dan). Piercings and tattoos, a part of fashion, can influence the way that people look at others and most of the time it is in a negative way. Even the way that people may wear your hair can stereotype them (Plant). For instance, someone who has dreadlocks may be perceived a bit more negatively that someone who has a fresh professional haircut. In this world, it is very hard to not stereotype people. No individual should pass judgment based on somebody’s clothes but enjoy the creativity and individuality of somebody’s clothing choice (Dan).
People can also see a change in fashion throughout the years when you look at how sports and outdoor recreations have enhanced clothing by improving athletic wear through time and creating better sportswear. There are clothes that are conducive to being outside and doing outdoor activities (Plant). Gear is something that is very important in whatever sport that someone is playing in. This exemplifies that fashion is everywhere throughout the world and there is a long thought process behind the making of clothing and gear in sports and recreations. Seeing change and differences in fashion can show that there is technology present throughtout fashion. Over the years, the camouflage print has been changed into becoming more effective for hunters (Plant). Also, having a uniform on in the military is a significant must. Because this is requirement, clothing plays a role throughout the military as well. They must have certain uniforms to wear so that they can make their jobs easier. Fashion is something that touches on almost every subject and many people go without realizes fashions significance in our world.
When a person walk past someone, they can usually get a sense of where they might come from or what they enjoy by just taking a simple look their way. The type of clothing completely depends on the person who is wearing it (Dan). The clothes that individuals put on are not just to cover up their body, but tells a brief story about the things they like and how they view themselves on the inside. The effort someone puts into their appearance speaks of things about who they are and what they need (“Dress”). One must always dress to impress the audience they seek to impress (“Dress”). Some may think that the way someone dresses is too much or over the top, but that’s a personal preference. Acceptance of rejection of a style is a reaction to the society we live in (“Fashion”). The choice of clothes can present a person’s original, individual style. This paints a picture about their unique self and showing others who they are as a first impression (Dan). Every single person is not always going to agree with everybody when it comes to clothing and accessories, but thats what makes fashion such an important aspect of being yourself and having your own thoughts and outlook on how a person wants to be perceived.
What people wear can only limit what they will hope to achieve in this world. Fashion, for some, can make people almost feel like they have an alter-ego. Whenever people are getting dressed and they have that feeling of looking fierce and fabulous when they throw on an absolute favorite pair of shoes and a new t-shirt, it boost self-confidence. Clothes speak about a woman or man’s magnetic confidence. When someone look a way that they fall in love with, many seem to hold their head a little bit higher and signify that the clothes they have on are not bringing them down, but lifting them up and bringing out the goodness within themselves. Looking great makes a person feel incredible. A person’s fashion leaves the strongest impact on someone’s style and is presenting a person’s identity in the best way.
Fashion is something that all of cannot go without. It is something that we see every single day and has a major contribution to our world. It makes people who they are and expresses their creation with their clothes. It gives an identity to each and every single one of us to be ourselves and to not be shameful of what we are interested in and want to wear. No matter what, if somebody like fashion and clothes or not, it will always be a part of life and is something individuals run it to everyday.
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