16 Aug fashion and identity – Alanna Smith
FASHION & IDENTITY (1)
The way in which people dress tells the world a lot about them, whether they were trying to say something or not one is seen as a certain character by the way they dress. There are those who wear clothing to fit in with the latest trends, celebrities and Instagram influencers; then there’s those who like to stand out from the mainstream crowd – be bolder, bigger and more ‘unique’ and then those who only really dress for comfort and so they have something covering them when they go out for the day. Fashion is now an art form, an expression of the person who is wearing it, it is no longer something to just cover your back; for most people it’s the way they express themselves. Fashion tells people who you are and allows you be whoever you are regardless of gender, class, age. I think fashion sometimes is a way for people to escape out of the real world, put up a façade because there is no limit to fashion except well, money.
In this present time celebrities such as Harry styles have really pushed fashion into a great place for young people. From One Direction being styled to wear what a ‘boy-band’ should, to going solo and being in all the magazines wearing the most flamboyant outfits. For young people unsure how they are allowed to dress I think celebrities making the changes in the fashion industry is how younger generations will start to feel more comfortable in wearing the clothing they desire.
In the book “Fashion as communication” by Malcolm Barnard, it is a perfect outlining of cultural roles, rules, rituals, and responsibilities that are maintained and constructed by fashion.
Fashion can be compared to art. The use that people give to the clothes is like an architecture that gives his creation any shape he desires and want and at the same time is the reflection of the architecture’s toughs, believes and also the place and the social class for who he is designing for, this works as a perfect example because, people look in one way when they are going to work and they are some other where they are just hanging out with friends.
People do judge others on their clothing choices for example you wouldn’t dare go to an accountant job interview in anything but a suit. But your first day as a PE teacher you would wear sports-wear so you could perform your best.
As well as clothing making others perceive someone in a certain way, they make the person who is wearing them perceive themselves in a different way. Clothing can make a person feel more confident, it can change the way someone walks and even talks. If you’ve got the outfit you feel your best in for a first date then you’re going to be more talkative and open than if you wore something that doesn’t fit right or is the wrong colour for you.
Fashion is more than just something you wear.
(2)
Celebrities such as the famous Kardashian family have a massive impact on today’s fashion, especially of course in womenswear. With Kim and Khloe both having their clothing lines SKIMS and Good American they have taken over fashion on Instagram with their large followings. Because of their status they had no problem with selling their overpriced clothing which to contrast that is I’m sure of a good quality. Every teenage girl who has access to Instagram knows who the Kardashian’s are and probably wishes one day to look like Kim.
The Kardasian’s are business women I have a lot of respect in them in the sense that they have built an absolute empire for themselves. However, I think their image is damaging and causes people, especially those who are young or insecure, to feel as if they are not good enough as themselves. The reality is the Kardashian have the money to look like whatever they want. The completely changed themselves and the worrying thing is that they have all obtained this hourglass figure which just is not real. They are fashion icons; they are absolutely gorgeous and Kylie is always wearing the most beautiful outfit on the gram. But they really are ruining the chance for people to make their own identity by feeding people a ‘you should look like this’ ideal.
They haven’t necessarily done anything wrong it’s just that they completely changed the way they looked and young people don’t realise that and think that they have always been these ‘flawless’ women. I just think it could be detrimental to young people and they end up changing themselves because they think they should and not because they want to.
The identity of the Kadashian’s seems fake, it seems as if they put on this ‘I am perfect persona’ to their following which gives the impression that the way they look makes their life better. Because they have billions of pounds, they can wear whatever they like; they could buy a new outfit every single day. Their outfits are always so glam and chic and even when they’re in casual clothes they still make sure to be wearing the latest and most expensive clothing.
We don’t see them in person so we don’t know how they act in real life but I’m sure their clothing makes them feel as glamourous as they look. Instagram takes our identity from us and creates one that the following you have makes up for themselves based upon what you have decided to show them. If they only see you being ‘perfect’ and happy in only designer clothing; then they will assume that, that is your life. Your identity has been made up for you. That is the problem with Instagram people are deciding your identity for you based on what you’re dressed in if they don’t know you personally. Fashion is a way to tell everyone who you are but online when you don’t have a voice it can allow others to be prejudice if your clothes are ‘better’ than theirs. Even though I don’t feel sorry for them celebrities are judged a lot for their outfit choices and if they slip up, they are penalized for it; little things like going to the grocery store in their pyjamas.
(3)
People all across the world are into different things; luckily otherwise the world would be so boring. Especially in terms of fashion. Fashion is such an art now it has no limit; it has no end to the crazy things that are involved on the runways. Like the most recent Pyer Moss fashion show where someone was in an outfit that was resembled traffic lights. Or lady gaga in the 10” heels and the amazingly flamboyant TV show Pose that was so much about fashion as I was other important issues today. I spoke to some close friends of mine that are into or no into fashion about why they wear what they wear! And it was very interesting, see snippets of our conversations below.
Serena: age 27 from Manchester.
I have been so into fashion since coming into my twenties because that’s when I really got to know myself and what looked good on me. I am into so many different types of clothing that I don’t have a style I just see and buy. I am very short, 4’9!!! So, some things really look great on me and other things are a big no… like flared jeans! I loved oversized clothing, I like being tomboy some days and the next day I want to be super girly and sexy and cute!
Azar: aged 22 lives in London
My style is a bit crazy and out there. I will wear a fully all blue outfit and I think it looks so cool. I am trendy but at the same time I will just go very weeird and different and one day pull out an outfit that you’ve seen no one in. Ive done some modelling because people are into my fashion sense. I don’t really care what people think about me so that allows me to wear whatever I feel like. My favorite accessory I shades! I have so many pairs! They go with anything.
Kelsey: aged 21 from Zimbabwe lives in Bristol
My fashion sense is kind of more on the simple side but I would say I always put effort in! I like sexy an girly, usually like fitted clothing, a good pair of jeans is a must! I love to dress up when going out but its usually a casual dress or jeans and a fitted top. I love mesh and lace. I usually complement my outfits with makeup and accessories because I really think they complete a look. I care about how I look a lot! But also, fashion isn’t my passion!
Joe: aged 23 lives in Bristol
I’m not into fashion one bit, I like to look smart when going somewhere for an occasion but apart from that I just wear stuff that I like. Pretty basic, but in the summer, I do like basketball jerseys and polos. I wear simple colours nothing too bright and I wear a mixture of fitted and baggy clothing I am about 6’3 so it has to fit right! – otherwise I look a mess. Clothes are cool but I don’t spend too much money on shopping for them.
