Fashion — Joyce Shin

When you decide what you’re going to wear for the day, what do you consider? Do you want to impress someone or do you only own 10 shirts that limit your options? Do you not even care? Of course you do. What you wear defines you to a certain extent. It sends a subconscious message to anyone who sees you. It tells people something about you, whether you intend to or not.

"It tells people something about you, intentional or not."

For me, I like to think that I don’t wear what I do for other people. Of course, I want to look good and send a positive message to my peers, that I have at least some sense of style. But I dress for myself, to make myself feel good for that day. Even if I know I’m not going to see anyone I know, sometimes, I like to dress up, just for the hell of it and there is no shame in that. It's important for people to have self-confidence, to do some things, just for themselves. It builds self-esteem and you learn to be comfortable in your own body. Some might say that they are already comfortable with themselves and only people who aren’t, need to do this. I disagree. I am perfectly comfortable with myself— I love my body and the way I look. Regardless, there are things that I would change and anyone who says otherwise, is lying to either themselves or to you. You can want to change something about yourself and still love yourself. And your fashion choice is a perfect manifestation of that self-confidence.

"Your fashion choice is a perfect manifestation of that self-confidence."

Fashion is important because it allows a person to express who they are— it is the manifestation of their perception of themselves. No two people dress in the same manner. Every day is a new opportunity to create a piece of art, by mixing and matching tops, bottoms, jewelry, colors, scares, bags, shoes, etc… It shows people an ensemble that you’ve put together. It allows me to be creative in a small way and knowing that I’m wearing something that I choose and something that I’m proud of, automatically puts me in a happy mood (and if you get compliments from people, that doesn’t hurt either.)

Additionally, fashion is undoubtedly important as an industry— fashion trends have changed, as society’s cultural norms and values have evolved. In America, we see fas such as the rise of haute couture, the “flapper” seen in the Roaring Twenties, and the “New Look” after WWII, etc.. The change in styles epitomized the change seen in society— the modernization, the sense of rebellion, individuality, and youth — it reflects the waves of social, economic, and cultural revolutions that hit America. It shows the progression of values and the expression of ideals.

"It shows the progression of values and the expression of ideals."

Even more, clothes can not only be used to define an individual or a society, but also to make a statement that goes beyond labels, commodity, and commercialization. Political leaders and figures have always used fashion as a statement and especially in the last few months, there has been recent news of designers who would or wouldn't dress current First Lady Melania Trump. Aside from the social and political implications this has and will have for the Trump administration, I think the fashion statements from the leaders of our countries is important. Our former First Lady Michelle Obama understood the power of her fashion choices and adeptly used them to send subliminal messages to both American and global citizens.

Michelle Obama wanted to use her clothing so that people would know what she was about, the issues that were important to her and the values that she stood for. She used fashion "as a means to create an identity for an administration" and her choices were often labeled "sartorial diplomacy" and "democratic". Michelle Obama wore clothes that were an "expression of commitment to an idea or an ideal" that resonated with the majority of the American people and with the values of America. (They were also elegant and beautiful, I might add).

The fact that there is a growing list of designers who will not dress our current First Lady and members of the first family says so much. Some of their reasons are simply personal— issues that are fundamental to them are being questioned: LGBT, immigration, women's rights— they don't have any interest in partaking in that. The political rhetoric of racism, sexism and xenophobia aren't values these designers (and the majority of the American people, I might add) live by. Others, like Marc Jacobs say, "Personally I'd rather put my energy into helping out those who will be hurt by Trump and his supporters". Whatever their reasons, it is obvious they're using fashion as messages of personal identities, values and ideals.

I love fashion, not only because it is an elegant and magnificent art form, but it is also an outlet for creativity, a materialization of self-perception. (The fashion shows aren’t too bad, as well.) It’s not simply a mere commodity that we make, sell, buy and wear— it is an exquisite expression of lifestyle.

interesting hbr read

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