This article is the property of the-fashion-industry.com. If found elsewhere on the web it is being used without permission. You are not permitted to use this article in whole or part on your website or in any other medium online or offline.

Fashion provides some insight into how individuals view themselves simply by the clothes that they choose to wear. It can also be an expression of how individuals feel about the world and where they are in life. Fashion always makes a statement, sometimes intentionally, other times unintentionally. Whether or not we want it to, it influences how others feel about us and how we feel about ourselves. Fashion categorizes people. Punk, Goth or Preppy are fashion terms that we use to categorize people by what they wear. Fashion can even be used to separate the classes. We’ll discuss each of these things, a little more in more depth, below.

Fashion gives insight to the following:

One’s Personal Point of View: Fashion gives the world a glimpse of how an individual views themselves. Whether or not they are aware of it, fashion gives others some idea of how people feel about themselves. A person that looks like they obviously take the time to style their hair, put on nice clothes and attempt to be trendy, may be viewed as someone who obviously takes pride in their appearance and themselves. Now, this isn’t to say that this person who is fashionable has it all together, however, they are taking time for themselves. Contrast this with someone who is obviously unkept, or looks indifferent about their fashion choices and style, and there may be an assumption, whether correct or not, that the person is not in a good place emotionally or mentally when it comes to their physical self.

Personal Expression: Fashion gives individuals an opportunity to express to the public how they feel on the inside and about their world. Hippies were a good example of this. The long locks, flowing or no clothes, garments with peace signs and flowers, all gave the outside world a view of how they were feeling and what they represented. Today, a person who is dressed in Goth like clothing is providing another type of statement to the world. Often times these statements may be interpreted wrongly. A person walking down the street may assume that Goths are sad, dark or satanic worshippers. This may not be true. However, the facts remain, fashion forces individuals to make interpretations of what others are trying to express. Whether or not these assumptios are accurate, does not really make a difference.

Personal Statement: There is no denying it, our fashion choices absolutely make a statement. Most people understand this. Some people embrace it, others try to avoid it and blend in. Either way a statement is being made. Someone who wears bright, bold colors and trendy clothing is making one statement, while another individual with muted colors and under-styled clothing choices is making another. It may be assumed that the loud, trendy person is making a statement such as “Look at me. I’m important and up-to-date,” while the other person may be thinking, “I don’t want any attention, I’d rather blend in.”

Influences: Fashion influences how we feel about ourselves and how others feel about us. While most people are taught to not judge a book by its’ cover, many people do so anyway. People are apt to treat a well dressed person with more respect then someone who appears grungy and unkept. Fashion can also affect how a person feels about themselves. We have all seen the makeover shows. Before the makeover begins the picture is a photograph of an individual not smiling and with their shoulders hunched over. The “After” picture is much more cheery, the person has a big smile, their head is held high and their shoulders pushed back. If you get to see them in action, there is always a little more “strut” in their step. Being fashionable helps people to feel better about them selves and also helps others view them in a more positive light.

Categorization: Fashion categorizes people. We give different groups names based on how they dress. Some common ones includes, Punks, Goths, Preps, Nerds, Hip Hop and Skaters. Fashion allows people to quickly make assumptions about a group, what they believe, what they like to do and their attitude, simply by what they are wearing. Many people, who have lived long enough, understand that these assumptions are sometimes inaccurate and that it is really difficult to categorize someone simply by what they are wearing. However, it is a natural response.

Separateness: Fashion has nearly always been a way that the classes separate themselves from each other. Wearing expensive labels is one way to differentiate oneself or group from another. People who wear costly clothes may be attempting to make a statement about how much money that have, what circles they run with and who they are in regards to money, position and power. It is a way to separate themselves from “others” who may not have as much.

What is fashion? It is hard to define, but very easy to see. Fashion is a part of our everyday lives and influences us in ways that we may not be aware of. It can greatly influence how we feel about ourselves and we not even know it until we make a change. Sometimes, putting on a hot outfit can bring out feelings of confidence, power and joy that we did not know were missing.

Fashion can also give insights into the way that we view ourselves and the world. It provides a method of expression. We can be our own walking billboards in regards to how we feel about ourselves and our world. Fashion also influences us. It can help determine how we feel internally and how others view us. Fashion experts may suggest that we wear bright sunny colors when we feel sad, because they provide an instant pick-me-up. This is just one way in which fashion can affect us emotionally, even in small ways. It also effects how others see us. Dressing well allows us to yield a positive effect over others, even it is not overt.

Fashion also categorizes and separates us. It is easy to be put into a certain group simply by the clothes that you wear. One can be easily be pegged a suburbanite, soccer mom, party girl, rich or poor, by the clothes that they wear. While many times, these categorizations have a grain a truth, other times, they can be far off base. However, there is little opportunity for you or I to actually meet and get to know everyone that we see. This is where that person’s sense of fashion or dress provides some sort of introduction, into who that person really is. Fashion is powerful and dresses up or down the world around us.