How Fashion Shapes Our Society
In the beginning of the 1900s, Mahatma Gandhi called for the boycott of foreign made goods. He advocated the idea of wearing khadi (homespun cloth) instead of British-made textiles. He urged all the Indians to spend time each day in spinning khadi in support of the independence movement. And the people followed his path to wear homespun clothes. Wearing their own clothes, having their own fashion gave them a sense of self-reliance. Indian Independence Movement instigated right after this movement. This movement is called the Swadeshi Movement. It is referred to as one of the most successful movements against British Raj.
As the definition says, Fashion is a style accepted and used by a group of people for a given time period. Thereupon it is given that Society, where we live, sure has a salient correlation with fashion. Change is one of the rudimentary components of fashion. Fashion changes from time to time. So does our society. Fashion may seem a frivolous aspect of society to the folks, but it is more tangible than everyone thinks.
If you look at the evolution of a current society, it is conspicuous that it has changed its shape perennially from time to time. Fashion is one of the aspects that has changed in accordance with society.
In the 1990s, Grunge subculture was popularized in the U.S by bands like Nirvana. This particular subculture is characterized by messy, shabby looking hair-styles. Teens back then wore loose clothes that emphasized their silhouette. Grunge not only changed the fashion. However, it was also an alternative revolution which called for the awareness of egalitarianism and human rights. Introspection came in the picture at that time.
Now in the age of digitalization, the fashion trends seem more kinetic than ever. This diverse generation is also changing its fashion accordingly. Decades before the society was more conservative, holding on to its principles tightly. Reluctant to embrace any change. Nonetheless, it is not the same anymore.
Today’s generation is driven by knowledge and experience providing the chance for every individual. Hence, it is granted that everyone is updated about fashion. In recent times, society seems more flexible than before. Rather than wearing the clothes society chooses for this generation, they tend to wear the clothes that make them feel more comfortable. This liberty in choosing clothes is a distinct aspect of today’s generation.
There was a stereotype of wearing white dresses in weddings. Nowadays, many women choose to wear dresses of disparate colors and hues. This depicts their desire to express freedom. This whole thing corroborates how far we have come from the conservative era.
With the growing technology, connecting with each other has also become more efficient. People are more likely to show a glimpse of their lifestyle every now and then through social media platforms like Instagram, Snapchat. Fashion brands are using these platforms to leverage their businesses. Continuous update in fashion is noticeable.
Most members of Generation Z love those types of clothes that are suitable for their fast-paced lifestyle. Easy and comfy clothes are preferable to this generation. Trying to stand out in society is one of the ideals of this age. Upholding the self-image and being unique is what postmodern society seeks. Visual impact is more germane to this generation. Therefore, fashion is a great way of being ostentatious.
When a particular style comes in prominent magazines or used by film stars and models, it is blindly adhered by the teenagers. In this scenario, comfort and coziness is not the only thing that this generation pays attention to.
Looking at the bigger picture it is tenable to say that fashion is not irrelevant when we try to signify the catalysts of social changes. Its impact on society is surely indispensable. The correlation between Fashion and Society is patent whenever you take a close look at it.
Maif Muhammad Krit Department of Textile Fashion and Design, Bangladesh University of Textiles,
Id: 2020-1-6-015, Batch: 46
