Sunday, September 26, 2010

Stereotypical Fashion

Throughout the world, fashion is a huge aspect of daily life. People use different ways of wearing fashion, to express themselves in a way of showing inner beauty. This could be done by bright colours, extravagant patterns and overstated accessories. I feel that each country around the world consists of diverse trends, almost becoming key to representing that certain place. Such as, the beret represents France and the Eiffel tower is the most famous monument known around the world.The Eiffel tower is used in different ways of fashion, such as printed, stitched and shaped onto latest fashion trends. Also, the all over checked pattern gives off a Scottish outlook upon the specific garment.


 


As I whitness different trends come and go, from designer to high street, I realise that each person holds their own individual taste, which I feel this is what fashion should be.

Today, there are many, many stereotypes, typically based on their outlook appearance, which varies from gothic, indie, chav geek etc. For example, ‘Goth'. When you hear the word ‘Goth' you instantly think of black clothes, dark hair, thick jewellery and outrageous hair styles and makeup. Nevertheless, I immediately think of this myself, without indulging in the Gothic subculture, many people suppose that the depressive appearance and music is what it is all about, but it isn't just what people think. It is how a person expresses their inner selves, through the way they dress and act. I feel there is so much more to a person than what they wear, but in today's society, that is what people are based on. Their appearance.

 


Throughout different seasons, latest trends hit the high street and the designer shelves, ready to be purchased by fashionista's , who love keeping in with the latest trends, which I will admit, I do love keeping in with trends, but I also love a bargain! Who doesn't?


Shops such as Topshop and River Island are influenced by top designers, and mirror fashions with their own. The ‘high end of fashion' (designer) today are selling products for a lot of money, each product as unique as the last, a great example of this would be Dame Vivienne Westwood. Westwood creates her designs by using her own personal whacky styles, and is also responsible for bringing modern punk and new wave fashions into the mainstream. She is an inspiration to many designers, fashionistas and your usual high street shopper, by imprinting her incredibly extreme styles throughout her fashion.


As a whole, I feel fashion is a means of self expression that allows people to express their inner selves through appearance. It shows their personal beauty. However, as I explained above, about stereotypical fashions (gothic, chav etc), I feel that people today are looking at a persons appearance and judging them by what they are wearing, how they have their hair and what music they listen to and putting a name on them, without actually knowing the person.


I can honestly say I have done this in the past, but will admit that I was wrong. It is wrong to entitle a person with what you feel towards their outfits and appearance. I believe that each person has their own style, whether they are wearing the latest Topshop dress, or wearing an old primark dress, from a while ago. I think that it isn't what you wear, but what you feel comfortable in; whether that is black leather coats and big heeled biker boots or the latest cardigan and skirt, a person should be able to express themselves how they like, and if they are happy, people shouldn't judge. Fashion should express how a person feels and what a person wants to look like, not what people think towards appearances.