As human beings in a civilized society, clothing is an essential part of our everyday life. For as long as we can date back, fashion has always been an evolving part of human lifestyle.
In prehistoric times, individuals wore animal skin for protection from natural conditions such as harsh rays from the sun, gusty winds and so on. Fast forward 2,000 years to today, attire is still playing an indispensable role in our daily existence.
Although trendy clothing is often frowned upon for its association with being materialistic and shallow, fashion has a bigger impact on individuals and society than most people can imagine.
First of all, personal appearance is what gives off that unforgettable first impression. Fashion is never given enough credit for being as powerful as it is when it comes to creating this notion. As bad as this is going to sound, we are all guilty of judging others on first impressions. What’s worse is that most of the time our judgments are incorrect.
Making a good first impression is crucially important in every aspect of our lives as it affects mostly everything. Think of that job interview that took so long to book or that first date you are so nervous about. Sometimes all it takes is one sloppy outfit to ruin your chances at getting a call back.
Other than first impressions, the way you style yourself is the way you illustrate yourself to the world. The physical is a representation of personality and creativity. With just one T-shirt you can show the world what kind of music you listen to, what your political views are, what team you are a fan of, if you’re an entrepreneur or a beach bum.
Take Lady Gaga for example. The fearless character Lady Gaga embodies herself as is a direct result of every flamboyant outfit she wears when she is in public. Her costume selection exemplifies to her audience that she is a risk-taker and is not afraid of stepping outside of the box.
Now, think about a more conservative figure such as Michelle Obama. Her style and clothing options represent her persona in the sense that she is a powerful person and takes her position seriously.
Fashion is also a force that has the remarkable ability to alter a person’s mood. Think of how many times a little black dress has given you an instant boost of confidence, or a suit has assured you that you would land the business deal, or how a sea of people dressed in black takes you to a funeral. Similarly, clothing used in a movie or on TV are meticulously chosen to guarantee the audience obtains the emotional experience that the actors and actresses are living in the storyline of the movie.
It is a mystery why fashion is generally regarded as unimportant because it has a huge impact on everyone’s lives.
The great Coco Chanel said it best: “Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”
Unsigned editorials represent the majority view of the Sundial editorial board and are not necessarily those of the journalism department. Other views on the opinion page are those of the individual writer.
