Why is Fashion Important?

Why is fashion important and why should it matter to you? Truthfully, just like everything in life, different people will have different takes on this so answers will vary. We must also consider that fashion is not something that everyone considers important but in this post, I’m going to give you my answer as to why it’s important to me and build up a bit of a fashion foundation along the way. So let’s start with something pivotal here: what is fashion?

Simply put, it’s a popular clothing trend. My personal definition of fashion is a little different. Fashion is wearing what is popular at the moment. The trends that I partake in are ones that make me feel confident and excited. For instance, right now plaid is everywhere and on everything, so naturally, my wardrobe and living space reflect the trend.

First things first, the fashion life cycle is used in the textile merchandising industry. This cycle tracks the life span of a particular item. Consumers influence this cycle. If a style is purchased it becomes accepted and if it is accepted then it becomes fashion. Here’s the fashion life cycle chart:

This life cycle has 5 stages, so as long as a trend does not end during the introduction stage, it is considered fashion. This cycle is important for retailers but equally as important for consumers, as it indicates when something is losing popularity and thus is going out of fashion. An example would be seeing that the once-popular item is now in the clearance section. 

Fashion is semi-permanent art, which is what I love about it. When I say semi-permanent, I mean that it’s easy to make it whatever you want it to be. I love that I can create any sort of persona that I want depending on my mood, where I’m going, or what I want to say that day. Unlike a finished sculpture, I’m able to easily change up my outfit or even the way that each piece looks if I choose to (using a sewing machine and sewing supplies or some of my mediocre DIY skills). Not only can I handpick the pieces I want, but I can create them myself or change up the look of ones I already have by altering them or adding extra details like buttons, ribbons, patches or other details to make them my own. 

I see fashion as a tool and I utilize it by investigating new trends. Fashion is influenced by real-world events and news, so it’s one way I stay up-to-date with the things that are happening around me. I follow runway trends, fashion blogs, and am constantly browsing my favorite fashion retailer’s websites and window shopping so that I can see firsthand what’s hot or not. Brands in the 21st-century realize that being socially aware is imperative to their survival. So when inclusiveness in sizing or making silhouettes that don’t place people in a box between one gender to another became evident, proactive companies quickly began taking action in order to get to a solution that would suit our current needs. Many companies are offering size ranges that are much more inclusive than they were even 5 years ago and they’re also coming out with lines and collections that are androgynous. Another huge economic shift in fashion for companies is creating things in more sustainable ways so that fashion can continue to prosper without it being at the expense of our environment. Fashion is important because it changes with me and it changes with the world.

On a larger scale, fashion is important because it represents our history and helps to tell the story of the world. Clothes began as a necessity but they gained their power early on when certain groups wore specific styles, making them popular. An early example: Levi jeans were worn among miners because the copper rivets used at points of stress within the jeans expand the lifespan of the jeans, making them a favorite among the blue-collar worker. Levi’s saw an opportunity and quickly created a solution and even after more than 150 years, they still remain an iconic denim brand. 

Fashion trends vary at least slightly from place to place so different styles are more suitable for different climates and areas. Clothes help to keep people ready for whatever they may face in life but fashion keeps up with the current crazes and changes that we all face so that we’re ready for whatever life throws our way. 

Fashion can also be a part of people’s culture. It helps people to show what they stand for and can even aid in honoring their faith and values such as turbans, hijabs, and other accessories that symbolize people’s way of life. Fashion is there to keep that honor and also to provide a bit of expression, if someone chooses to do so. 

From a designing perspective, fashion gives you complete control in delivering any message that you desire. Fashion is more than a hobby or interest, for some, it’s a way of life (much like it is for me). It’s one of the surest forms of expression and you get to choose how you use it and what you want to do with it. 

Fashion is everywhere and you get to decide your fashion tastes and destiny. So go shopping for new clothes, used ones, or fabric and get to creating the you that you want to be today. 

Thank you so much for stopping by to give this article a read; I hope you found it informative.

Now I’m curious, what does fashion mean for you and why do you think it’s important? Drop your comments below, I can’t wait to read them!