“People usually mistake the more temporary trends for fashion, even though there is no fashion without trends.”
Like the basic needs of life needed to survive, fashion has become a way of life in our daily activities.
The saying that “you are addressed the way you dress” has brought about a consciousness in people with respect to what they wear and how they wear it. People usually mistake the more temporary trends for fashion, even though there is no fashion without trends.
What is a fashion trend?
Fashion trend is simply a fashion style that is widely accepted and worn at a particular time. There is no doubt that it makes the fashion Industry very exciting as it introduces a new brand or adds a new design to an existing brand.
Whichever way, trends come with both positive and negative impact on society.
Trends go beyond the season of release of a fashion item by the fashion industry, and focuses more on the time of spread across a population per time and place.
Effects of Fashion trends
Fashion trends play an important role in society. They can improve the economic standard and awareness about a particular brand.
They can also jeopardise the image of a brand, depending on the level of negative effect it has caused on a population.
As much as fashion trends have an healthy impact, the negative impact cannot be overlooked.
Let’s take a look at the innovation of ripped jeans that has been a fashion trend for a while now and its effect across a population.
Ripped jeans are a type of jean clothing that has been damaged on purpose.
The first set of ripped jeans came with a very unique style and a little rip on the jeans, especially towards the lap area. Everyone wanted to be a part of it, including myself.
It came with a desire for massive creativity, as one could choose where to rip, and what design to add to their jeans.
After a season, it became quite unacceptable in some organisations or events, as people tend to rip their jeans on a very wide range, thereby exposing some major parts of their body that are meant to be kept private.
This illustration clearly explains that trends in fashion (not limited to clothing) can either make or mar a population, because it can create a lasting positive or negative impact on people.
It can also build an unhealthy competition among peers, as everyone wants to follow trends.
Positive effects of a fashion trend on a society
- It creates an opportunity for creativity.
- It classifies one into a particular class of individual by giving them an identity.
- It introduces a new style.
- It builds healthy connection among people following same trend.
- It encourages upcoming fashion brands to be innovative.
Negative effects of a fashion trend on a society
- It causes unhealthy competition as everyone wants to belong.
- It can affect the psychology of the wearer.
- Because most fashion trends emanate from the western world, one’s cultural heritage could be lost.
- As weird as it may sound, it influences people’s personality.
Causes of fashion trends
Fashion trends can be caused by new innovation, social norms, peer group, belief system, environment, etc.
All this can cause a spur of trend in a particular fashion (as fashion goes beyond clothing)
Of all the causes of trends, they can have no effect on a society without the help of social acceptance.
Social acceptance has a great effect on fashion trends, because if a fashion style is created and it is not accepted, it cannot become a trend.
It is amazing how a particular fashion made for a runway modelling event goes viral, and before we know it, it has become a trend irrespective of its function or significance. And then as we know, it is difficult to stop a trend; it only dies a natural death.
In summary, if you must follow a fashion trend, try to understand its function and significance.
