You can be fashionable no matter what you wear. Your culture, personality, and values are all reflected in it. Additionally, fashion can be a potent force for social change.
Fashion has always been a tool for promoting social change, expressing identity, and upending the status quo. Here are just a few instances of how fashion has influenced culture over time:
Earlier Egypt
Fashion served as a sign of social status and wealth in ancient Egypt. The wealthy wore elaborate clothing that was made from pricey materials like linen and cotton. Simpler clothing for the lower classes was made of materials like wool and animal skins.
Rome and Greek antiquity
The classical ideals of beauty and symmetry had an influence on fashion in ancient Greece and Rome. The draped clothing worn by the Greeks and Romans was made of airy materials like cotton and linen.
Ancient Europe
Both the feudal order and Christianity had an impact on fashion in medieval Europe. The wealthy wore ornate clothing that was made from pricey materials like silk and velvet. Simpler clothing made of materials like wool and linen was worn by the lower classes.
Medieval Europe
Fashion evolved into a more ornate and decorative style in Renaissance Europe. The wealthy wore clothing that was crafted from pricey materials like velvet, silk, and brocade. Simpler clothing made of materials like wool and linen was worn by the lower classes.
Europe in the 1860s
The Enlightenment and the emergence of the middle class had an impact on fashion in Europe in the eighteenth century. The wealthy wore elegant clothing that was made of breathable materials like silk and muslin. Simpler clothing made of materials like wool and cotton was worn by the middle class.
Nineteenth-century Europe
The Industrial Revolution and the emergence of the bourgeoisie had an impact on fashion in nineteenth-century Europe. The wealthy wore ornate clothing that was made from pricey materials like velvet and silk. Simpler clothing made of materials like wool and cotton was worn by the middle class.
Twentieth-century style
Fashion underwent significant change in the 20th century. Rapid change in fashion trends and the constant emergence of new styles. The following are a few of the most notable fashion fads of the 20th century:
- the 1920s flapper fashion
- the 1940s’ modern aesthetic
- The 1960s hippie fashion
- the ’70s punk movement
- the grunge look of the 1990s in contemporary clothing
Fashion in the twenty-first century is more inclusive and diverse than ever. Regarding what is fashionable, there are no absolute standards. People are free to use their clothing in any way they see fit to express who they are.
Both social change and fashion
Social change has also been influenced by fashion. For instance, the hippie movement used clothing to convey its values of peace, love, and freedom during the 1960s and 1970s. The AIDS activist group ACT UP used fashion in the 1980s to spread knowledge about HIV/AIDS.
Conclusion
The use of fashion as a powerful tool to express identity, question the status quo, and encourage social change. Fashion has always been used to express oneself, spark debate, and alter the course of history.
Additional instances of how fashion affects culture include:
- The hip hop movement used fashion to convey its values of coolness, self-assurance, and individuality in the early 2000s.
- The sustainable fashion movement has recently promoted social responsibility and environmental awareness through the use of fashion.
- Fashion has been a tool used by the Black Lives Matter movement to draw attention to racial injustice and police brutality.
You can be fashionable no matter what you wear. It is an effective tool that has the potential to influence culture and society.
