It is no secret that the fashion industry is incredibly guarded. At times, I question whether exclusivity is the main attraction to some consumers. Individualism and fashion have a funny relationship. Wearing limited-edition handbags and couture gowns does not always set you apart from everyone else; it just puts you in a different group. And in that group, you are a part of a collective.
The high ticket price might provide a luster for some clients that is desired by many others; however, the point of it all becomes buried in translation. Fashion is an art form that allows people to share their insides through their clothing. The person is able to communicate without speaking. To be understood without explaining.
The content of a mind and heart sculpted through a silhouette, giving drama, colors giving emotions, and accessories giving personality. What you wear not only serves as a form of expression but also gives the ability to build community. Your clothes become a second skin, and the way you style them is what gives the garment a soul.
Fast fashion is a monstrous beast, alive and well, taking the creations of others, swallowing them whole, mass producing, then spitting them out when it no longer serves the market. In a generation where we are made to clean up the mess of a climate crisis left by those before us, it is imperative that we start with our consumption habits.
The satisfaction alone of telling someone an item is thrifted when asked for its details is motivation enough for me. Gatekeeping is okay, as long as it’s ethical; “I would love to tell you, but I got it at an estate sale of an older woman who passed a week ago.” Buying second-hand keeps the product’s life cycle circular and revives it from its previous life. The garment now has a shared history with all the people who have loved it prior.
Mending the soles of heels or sewing on the loose buttons of a cardigan might not be as glamorous as off-the-runway items, but its history and lived life give it more meaning than an item fresh out of the factory.
Fashion and style are not the same. A person’s stylistic choices are what set them apart from the crowd. As I mentioned previously, fashion and individuality have a funny relationship. The angst of showing up to the function in the exact same outfit as someone else, or not having a connection with your pieces. Having a personal style will never lead you astray because it is distinct to you.
The details of where and who made the dress are not always meant to be at the forefront of a garment’s importance. How you style and love that piece is what matters most. Some might feel that, “If luxury becomes irrelevant, how will we define class?” To that I say, there is an appeal to clothing without logomania because trends and status come and go, but style is eternal.
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Hi! I’m Hannah Planey, A Magazine’s editor-in-chief. My staff and I are committed to bringing you the most important and entertaining news from the realms of fashion, beauty and culture. We are full-time students and hard-working journalists. While we get support from the student media fee and earned revenue such as advertising, both of those continue to decline. Your generous gift of any amount will help enhance our student experience as we grow into working professionals. Please go here to donate to A Magazine.
