Society fee and trends are ever evolving
Society fee and trends are ever evolving to characterize beliefs and culture. Fashion being a projected photograph worthy of a society appreciation should evolve too. Both historical and modern trend tends to adopt the style that fits their value and traits. Besides the traditional social agenda of trend trends, the attitude of the modern technology has established anonymous self-styles and person expression. Modern social fashions are marked by a character of self-image and self-expression. However, earlier than discussing the essence of fashion, the paper here will try and consider the evolution of fashion especially concerning women regarding social-cultural changes.
Evolution of Fashion
While society values are established and evolve with time, fashion trends come and go. The evolution of fashion is not only considered a reinterpretation of good old values to fulfill an agenda, but also a refreshing concept worth of society’s appreciation that makes people more instinctive. In the modern world, fashion is considered a non-verbal communication cue about an individual social stature, values and lifestyle (Pathaka, 88). According to, (Alice, et al 75) It can also be argued that in the historical setting it also conveyed a person’s stature. Hence, the impact of both traditional and modern fashion is measured mostly by social acceptance.
The modern fashion culture is driven by aspirations
The modern fashion culture is driven by aspirations that separate economic classes. Historical fashion, in some sense, also had the same differential separation of classes but at a political level. For example, ruling class and their subjects dressed differently, but the general populace had no distinctions in their way of dressing. Today’s consumer culture means that one dresses on the strength of his/her spending power. Branding in modern fashion has further exacerbated the modern fashion trend where consumerism has meant people dress in a sense of fashion that describes their liquidity. Fashion being primarily a social-cultural phenomenon, therefore implies current trends in the existing lifestyle. It is however important to note that fashion cannot be successfully associated with progress; instead, it would be more logical to speak about change which inevitably accompanies social progress and this change finds its reflection in fashion.
Fashion as art and the relationship with conservatism
It is also possible to view fashion as a kind of art which constitutes an essential part of the cultural life of a society at a time. It is also worth noting that fashion and conservatism are often viewed as totally antagonistic notion because fashion is based on constant changes while conservatism implies the absence of change.
The influence of the modern generations on fashion
The modern generation decides on the lifetime of a fashion trend. This is because they give their predictable audacity, have a high tendency to shop, venture out on fashion, and their try experiment is high (Pathaka, 78). In a globalized world well connected by web technologies, geographical distance is no more a constraint to reach and witness the experience. The lines between buying behaviors are no more significant among young people indeed blurring out as the common urge is to get hooked on to social networks, interact across a wide section of people with shared interests, and get appreciated.
Empowerment of individuals through fashion
The prevalent attitude of the modern generations towards fashion is that they decide about product purchase rather than merely following the cultural stars and people in limelight or the rich and wealthy people. Today’s world is driven by knowledge and experience providing a chance for every individual to experience and appreciate a moment which is no way decided by their monetary status. Conversely, it is also true that the rich are not the only ones superior in appreciating a taste or value. Everyday Fashion is an interactive process through which the aspiring individuals of the society consciously project their bodily self in a distinctive manner in the form of clothing style (Pathak, 77). It is unlike the traditional capitalist fashion system where the so-called elite or rich decide the course of fashion tastes and fashion gets disseminated from the top to bottom sections of society. This distinctive manner of style is equally drawn from the fashion trends percolated through contemporary life, style conventions, fashion code concepts developed by the designers & forecasting service providers, and street style fashion, appreciation of aesthetic experiences, ethnographic accounts witnessed in the social vicinity of a local population.
The influence of social protests on fashion
According to (Nicholson, 17), traditional fashion was characterized by social protests and the need to protect traditional values and culture. On the other hand, there existed a kind of romanticism concerning the opportunity of an alternative lifestyle and it is even possible to speak about the revolutionary romanticism that resulted in numerous social protests. To put it more precisely, teenagers of the previous generations traditionally dressed in the same clothes as their parents, and there were no distinguishable differences in fashion and style between adults and teenagers. In stark contrast to past generations, the new generation of teenagers has developed a new, different, and rebellious style in their dress. Unquestionably, such appearance is not simply unusual but, to a significant extent, unacceptable for the older generations (Alicia, 63).
The impact of social movements on fashion in the 1960s
Basically, it should be noted that the 1960s was the decade that broke with many fashion traditions typical for the past epoch and, at the same time, it was the natural reaction of fashion to the dramatic social changes and social movements that grew in power at that epoch. In fact, it was the age of momentous changes. These changes were predetermined by the social movements for civil rights and equality of all people. To put it more precisely, the African-American people led by Martin Luther King and his followers had gained new rights and opportunities in the US. This was an extremely crucial point in the history of the 20th century of the US as well as Western civilization at large, which affected fashion, especially in America where traditional African and African-American motifs became very significant. Also, it is worthy of mention that the 1960s were characterized by the growth of the feminist movements which also struggled for the equality of citizens, notably for equal rights of women that also inevitably affected fashion and style. In general, it is possible to estimate that the significant impact of social movements basically resulted in the further liberalization of fashion. Speaking about fashion proper, it is worthy of mention that the beginning of the decade was marked by the popularity of culottes which were in style at the epoch while the bikini finally came into fashion in 1963 after being featured in the movie Beach Party. It is necessary to underline that the bikini was quite a revolutionary invention of that epoch and was a serious challenge to the standards of the past (Nicholson, 18).
Fashion trends and styles in the 1960s
Furthermore, Mary Quant invented a mini-skirt and it became the rage in the late 1960s. At the same time, the progress of the hippie movement in the late 1960s also had a profound impact on clothing styles, including bell-bottom jeans, tie-dye and batik fabrics, as well as paisley prints. It is also worthy of mention that head coverings changed dramatically toward the end of the decade. Men’s hats went out of style and were replaced by bandanas. They also allowed their hair to grow long. This tradition was launched in the 1950s. According to (Alicia et al, 72), it should be noted that under the impact of the growing importance and significance of African-American culture, Afro hairstyle became the hairstyle of choice for African-Americans (Alicia et al, 74). He further asserts that the decade was characterized by the development of the romantic fashion trends of the designers, such as Yves Saint Laurent, Ossie Clark, and Zandra Rhodes.
The incorporation of elements from traditional fashions in modern fashion
Presently, basically fashion has incorporated elements from traditional fashions. Basically, it should be said that, to a significant extent, modern fashion continues the traditions of the past. In this context, the example of the lower back tattoos among ancient Egyptian maidens has become a common placement for tattoos among young women in the new generation.
Contemporary fashion trends in the 2000s
Among the more contemporary trends of fashion in the 2000s, it is necessary to point out that a strong trend of evoking styles in the 1980s and 1980s nostalgia becomes more common. At the same time, it is necessary to underline that the trend to evolution of fashion in the 2000s has become stronger than it used to be in the 1990s. Currently, it is possible to estimate that the world of fashion is acquiring new common features with so much losing on traditional peculiarities. In this respect, notably the new trends are supported and promoted by modern media which influences dramatically social behavior throughout the entire world.
Conclusion
Considering how fashion trends have evolved through time, it is possible to assert that fashion is a constituent element in the evolution of human beings and social life. It has accompanied human life and the social aspect through different ages till the present day. It is still evolving, especially at a faster rate for women, and changing human mode of expression. Similarly, fashion may be viewed as a mirror that reflects the major socio-cultural elements of the times, but, unlike other aspects of life, fashion focuses on the latest trends and it changes rapidly and the change occurs even faster than socio-cultural shifts are accomplished.
Work cited
Alicia, Kennedy, Emily P, and Sterne. Modern Fashion Design. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press. (2013). P.63-77
Nicholson, James. The perception of fashion. Published online, DOI: 10.1068/0450 app. ( 2012). P. 17-20
Pathak Shafron. Fashion among students. posted in Essays, Paragraphs and Articles. Retrieved on January 2015 from Http://www.importantIndia.com. (2013). P.78-88
