Following fashion. Ex.6, p.45

Clothing has played a great role in human life since the cavemen first tied a leaf around themselves. However clothing has an ancient history, in which it was used in loads of ways as symbolizing or demonstrating something, but what is the difference between clothing style and fashion? People say: “Fashion is what you buy, and style is what you do with it.” Style of clothing is “about you and your relationship to yourself”. Style does not change based on the mood of other people, but according to personal issues and spirit; style is making a statement of personal identity, with the use of fashion.

Fashion is one of the most recent developments of our modern society, which is used as a form of communication, a non-verbal language, a mean of self-expression. Expressing personality through fashion requires having a style. From the desire to look professional, beautiful, modest, stylish, to expressing a concept, culture, or religious beliefs, we are trying to express ourselves.

Whether we like it or not, what we wear gives off signals that help people to form an impression of us. People are as liable to judge others by their look as a book by its cover. However, clothing can’t tell people who you are deep down, but it is part of the slim profile of information that a person has about you on first meeting.

It could be that fashion as self-expression is a myth because what we choose to wear may not entirely come down to an act of individual free will – it can be influenced by external factors or social norms. There are norms for business and work, based on beliefs about how much skin should be covered or showing, as well as for events, including dress codes to follow in given situations. Even when the constraints are less strict, social pressures still define the boundaries of what we feel comfortable wearing. We put on smart casual for a restaurant, but we change into something more suitable when we hit the clubs.

If you feel comfortable in the look you’ve created for yourself, you can free your mind and focus on other things – art, work, the world. There’s often one thing – a coat, sweater, pair of jeans, or ring – that can make you feel relaxed. Sometimes it’s the stories and memories associated with it, other times it’s the inexplicable way that it shapes us when we have it on. Certain old pieces can stand the test of time and remain a must-have in your wardrobe regardless of passing trends. Why do you think people still watch “The Godfather”, travel to see the Mona Lisa, listen to Elvis songs? Simple – those things are vintage. So it’s good to be aware of different vintage items. Especially old-school clothes.

One of these items is undoubtedly the Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars. What started as a basketball shoe in 1917 has become an iconic sneaker that is worn by creatives and artists across all disciplines around the world. There’s something about its design that encourages wearers from all backgrounds, from actresses like Demi Moore to musicians like Elvis Presley, to incorporate it into the wardrobe so easily.

Generally, it is important to express ourselves, because everybody is different and has valuable characteristics that should be respected. While it is always good to be current in fashion, it’s really not about what’s hot and new all the time, it’s about finding your own personal style, which has nothing to do with fashion. Fashion is over quickly, style is forever. So, if you don’t want to be that guy or girl that is walking around dressed in head to toe trends, like a mannequin, your personal style shouldn’t be like throwing on five trends at the same time, also known as a fashion victim. True, trends come and go, but try to inject your personality into your own clothing choices and you will stand out no matter what is on-trend for the season.