Folks, back today with the first Stories of 2018, which will be part 2 in the series about what defines fashion – past, present and future. Catch part 1 in this series in this article. Part two of the series will be centered to dealing with current things that are defining fashion. How we view it and how we live it. As stated in the previous article, there are different things that are defining fashion and this article is only bringing up a part of it. Here’s three things that are defining fashion.
Photo by Scott Webb on Unsplash
1. Influencer and Social Media
The digitization of fashion has undoubtedly changed how we dress, why we dress the way we do and how we consume fashion. With the development of social media, the platform of communication in a fashion context has changed. It’s still about internet and digitization, but the tools we work with have gone from blogs and internet magazines (just kidding, I’m still here), to Instagram and Pinterest. We communicate fashion quicker today than ever before. Instead of having to visit 10 different blogs to get a dose of inspiration, you can get those 10 blogs in your Instagram feed.
The celebrity fashion has changed to influencer (read: blogger, profile) fashion. You don’t look at the paparazzi photos of what your favorite actress was wearing the other day, but you look at your favorite influencer. There’s still a high correlation between the two and many celebrities have successfully made the transition from celebrities through the eye of paparazzi and media, to an influencer in charge of their own platform and public image. But the influencers are dominating. You have Chiara Ferragni, Aimee Song and Chriselle Lim whom reaches millions and millions of people with their style, brands and lifestyle.
There’s also another level of democracy with social media. You can be anonymous and still change the fashion image, you can have a minimum budget and still contribute. You only need a good sense of style (or you only, really, need to know how to buy trendy clothes) and a mobile camera to capture the outfits. Perhaps some editing in an app and then you’re ready to post the picture and become a part of someone’s feed. That’s where the most fundamental impact of fashion lies today, not what an editor at Vogue (with all due respect) writes.
2. Gender Fashion
As talked about in part 1 of this series, I discussed how parts of the gender fashion were created. The foundation was partly laid in the early 19th Century where “typical” male attributes in a context of appearance were defined. Colors, prints, embellishment and rich details were left for women to embrace. Men were expected to dress accordingly but not exceed expectations of how a “real” man was to look and act like. Expressionless, proper and somewhat functional with clean lines, dark colors and kind of comfortable clothes. You couldn’t really be a foreman and run around in a pink petticoat with a corset AND a crinoline. I mean, right?
This gender structure is perhaps not as distinct and done in a “do or die” sort of manner as it was back in the days. But it’s still heavily present. You don’t see men casually walking around in ruffles, skirts, bold patterns and crazy color combinations. Same goes for delicate materials as lace or typical “female” attire as floral prints, embellishment and heels. It happens, and it should, but far from being done in the same extent as women “dressing up” in “typical” male clothes as pants, blazers, shirts, boots and dark colors. It’s because it’s a patriarchal world where it’s okay to be a man but not as valuable to be a woman. A man who “breaks the norms” is shamed for dressing “like a girl”, a woman who wears a tuxedo gets comments like: cool, edgy, fierce, bossy. If you think there’s nothing wrong the way we subconsciously express ourselves through clothes and how society view and judge us thereafter, you haven’t understood the problematic structure of the concept.
Why is it okey for women to dress like men, but not okey for men to dress like women? Wouldn’t it just be easier if we all dressed like people? Ya hear me?
3. Fast Fashion
Lastly, a third aspect of the fashion today is the fast fashion we’re living, breathing and embracing. One trend in, another trend out. Weekly, if not daily, letters from your favorite fashion brands about a new clothing piece in store. The way we consume fashion is insane as it 1) aren’t enough resources to keep up the pace in a sustainable way and 2) are people paying our cheap price with their lives 3) and there’s also an unhealthy view and societal pressure to dress like everyone else and wear a certain type of clothes. When wanting something more than you need it becomes a permanent mind of state in a cycle of consumption, things begin to become really problematic.
There are several things that are contributing to this way of consumption. One aspect is the seasonal fashion where designers present different trends and looks depending from which season it is. You can’t wear last year’s winter coat this year too, right? Another aspect is the influencers, of which many seem to have a need of wearing the latest trends and also creating new trends. This means that you have thousands of people that are constantly buying/receiving new items that are in their turn inspiring millions of people to buy and copy the look. It creates a wheel of “buy and toss” and it’s doing so in an insane tempo.
A third aspect is that the quality of the fast produced clothes is poorly. This means that you have to buy a new sweater way more often than you should have if it was produced more sustainably. There are several more, problematic, aspects of this issue but far too many to fit into this post. They’re all connected to each other in one way or another and the answer demanded requires a precise and effectful complexity. Here’s another article on sustainable fashion and here’s an article on the fashion of the future and how it needs to be sustainable.
Folks! Do you agree that these three things are defining the fashion of today? What are three things you think defines today’s fashion? Let’s chat in the comments! Xx
“Wouldn’t it just be easier if we all dressed like people? ” Yesss, gal, couldn’t agree more with you on this! I always find your posts so insightful and interesting Mia! On the influencer points, I would like to see a trend towards more sustainable way of consuming fashion coming from the big ones in the industry, but it seems the only way of monetizing your blog and collaborating with brands is by instigating people to buy, buy, buy *sighs* Really curious to see where the fashion of the future takes us though! 🙂
Saida | She talks Glam
Thank you love, glad you enjoy my articles! Yes I know, it’s really really annoying and I do hope we’ll see a change soon! Xx
What a great roundup Mia!
And especially the fast fashion point made me wonder / think … definitely a topic, that I myself am trying to change and buy more sustaianable. I think it cannot continue ike this, going faster and faster – at some point, there will be natural point of stop and maybe things slow down again. Lets see… 🙂 ♥
xxx
Tina
https://styleappetite.com
I hope so and I hope more will realize this! Xx
Definitely!
xoxo,
SHAIRA
http://www.missdream-girl.blogspot.com
Yay! Xx
Such a great review!! Thanks for sharing!!
xx
Mónica Sors
MES VOYAGES À PARIS
NEW POST: DENIM JACKET & SNEAKERS
Glad you liked the post love! Xx
Thank you so much for sharing this, I am so loving what Gucci is doing at the moment! xoxo Lovely
Gucci has really brought another level! Xx
It’s amazing how much social media now plays a part in the fashion world. And everything is so fast paced! Sometimes it’s just hard to keep up on all the current trends 🙂
Shauna
http://www.lipglossandlace.net
Oh yes and how exciting it might be from a creative perspective, is terrible from a sustainable point of view! Xx
Bloggers are changing things up right?! It really is about having style rather than tons of money now!
Beauty & Colour | Vegan Lifestyle Blog
Indeed! Fashion feels more and more democratic in that sense, Xx
These are all such great relevant points that couldn’t be any more true. I think it’s appropriate that you mentioned social media first because it really is what’s influencing fashion the most and I agree it’s because of all the reasons you’ve mentioned. You can get easy access to all of your favorite influencers and brands. You can also contribute and be apart of the mix yourself at your own leisure. Though if IG was a person, I’d boldly tell him/her that they can’t sit with us because he/she is getting me frustrated at this point with the algorithm, it’s truth, lol. Anyway, thanks for sharing your thoughts and I hope you’re having a great week so far!
XO,
Jalisa
THE STYLE CONTOUR
Hahah oh my, just tell me about it! I pretend IG doesn’t exist anymore, don’t know what I’m gonna do with it yet. Though my phone is broken too so I feel like there are no signs that I should do IG, lol! Xx
Such a great article! Love the fact that you mentioned influencers and how we are changing the fashion game!! It’s so true – and these ladies you mentioned are so inspiring!
xoxo, Vanessa
http://www.WhatWouldVWear.com
Indeed, fashion feels more democratic (or so) than ever!
I know the influencers are often a very controversial topic. I love to see fashion interpreted in so many different ways. Everybody has the chance to get inspired in so many ways.
Love, Esther
https://lifestyle-tale.com/sunny-winter-afternoon-time-cable-knit-jumper/
So true though! With more influencers more “voices” are hopefully being heard (seen)! Xx
100% agree with you about the gender norms in fashion! did you see the video or mira duma talking about bryan boy? INFURIATING!
http://www.prettyinleather.net
I had to look it up after your comment and it was heartbreaking. How can people disrespect other’s right to live their life as they wish? From a personal point of view I was extremely disappointed in Duma as I’ve admired her style for years. It’s always problematic when you admire someone’s work and that person’s views on vital matters of life/existence aren’t in line with your own.
Love this post!
xx- Nina
http://www.ninalnguyen.com/2018/01/camel-coat.html
So happy you do! Xx
You are so right! We get so much information in real time and are almost inundated with new trends and how to wear things because of social media. This is such a great post!!
Oh yes, the information is pretty much everywhere these days and with the access to information, new information is required! Xx
Fast fashion is really impacting things right now- and I kinda love it!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
I love it too from the perspective that it keeps the fashion world dynamic, innovative and creative. But I don’t like what it’s doing to our earth, workers, society and peer pressure to mention of few problematic aspects! Xx
I have been thinking a lot about fast fashion lately – after my last F21 order. It’s an easy way to keep up with ‘trends,’ but it’s also something that doesn’t help any of us! Love love this article
xx http://www.qustomquinns.com/blog
It is indeed! That’s where the struggle is too. To shop for your own liking of to stop shopping for the earth’s wellbeing?