FASHION-MONOPOLY IN TODAY’S ERA

Who doesn’t like fashion in today’s world? To be well dressed and presentable on even a random day is an urge that every girl (even a boy!) lusts for. What stops you to follow the fad then? Is it your weight? your height? Body type? Do you really think every second person standing in a crowd of four has a Victoria Secret’s model body type and figure to flaunt? No! Do you think that stops them from following fashion in any way? Clearly, a big N-O!

In a glamorous world that is so self-conscious about its looks and how they are quoted behind their back – fashion is as important as any other issue or concern of the sphere. In fact, for instance one might not have anything to comment on matters worrying politics and economics, but the same set of crowd will cast their expert theorems on matters concerning fashion and similar – Why? Because, fashion is the need of today’s world. It’s hard to lag behind or not bother at all when it comes to physical appearance and following fashion; Kudos to those who have the will power to do so.

I guess in today’s life, fashion is going so tremendously dramatic that almost anything is termed under its usage! It’s inevitably hard to be ‘out of style’ in the race of fashion where every other individual seems to be making their own personalized in-vogue statements, only to learn that others are doing the same. Fashion is nothing but merely mixing few bizarre things with matching confidence and zeal. There are fashion shows where we see models walking on the ramp wearing atrocious garbs – calling them outfits! Well, of course we feel the urge to laugh at their face but instead we applaud and mirror the same, neglecting how we’ll look in it ; thinking it’ll be senseless to criticize a famous designer and his designs, as he/she is the ultimate king/queen of the fashion-cosmos.

If you are not a person who ponders about fashion very much, then following the channel can be a bit challenging. Many people do not even know where to start from – you have to brainstorm a lot when it comes to fashion and trends. There are so many fads that made a comeback, be it the 90’s Choker necklace with tousled hair and berry lips or the flannel shirt, and denim jackets with crop tops – you name it and people are already experimenting with it. In my take, I absolutely admire all the fashion era’s of the past and hate to see them be bygones!

In this context it’s essential to mention that the ‘trend’ is not what it used to be. Many savvy buyers now ensue their own fashion rules inspired by what they see on the internet, fashion-animated streets and television shows (which has currently become a key channel for all fashion lovers) by flashing how much they care about what society follows. Fashion thence plays a vital role in exhibiting a person before others, which I feel shouldn’t be done till one feels comfortable with it. If you aren’t satisfied with a particular fashion sense then what is the necessity of following it in the first place?

It radically reflects a generic desire in men and women to have an edge over others – the desire to alter and come out as better from them. When Adam and Eve came into being, they were nude. The first fashion statement they made was to dress in a fig leaf. That was the initial revolutionary step towards fashion. Thenceforth, there was no stopping. Fashion since then has moved in circles. Being inclusive, fashion has its own charm alluring people to implement it as a way of putting up with the monotony of life.

There was a time when this whole concept was followed only by the affluent class of people on certain occasions. But now the times have changed, now, class doesn’t matter in any way on the trail to becoming fashionable. In fact, every second person is fashionable these days. We can hardly see anyone on the streets who isn’t fashion conscious. It’s contagious because people get influenced by those who already are fashion-freaks. Being fashion conscious not only makes you popular among your group but also boosts your confidence level. It is the focal point for today’s teenagers. In fact, fashion reflects best in the younger lot – chiefly school students who display fashion through the bags that they carry, the watches they wear and the way they carry themselves. Youngsters seem to be more fashionable than the adults now. In fact they can be good trendsetters themselves. There are many teens that conceive their own styles and aim at becoming an idol among their groups. Unlike earlier, the priority and taste of kids these days have changed. Most of them even desire to be a part of the glamour world once they grow up.

The more people follow the trend of fashion, the more self-conscious they become, seeing themselves as obese or underweight is the biggest nightmare of their lives. The only notion centering their mind is what others think about them and how they can change their perception. No matter how genuine a person is from within, people spawn them from surface and pass opinions on how they appear. This has caused a stir in the society, people are so blindly drawn in the world of fashion that instead of commending the style followed by others, they pass harsh comments that are taken rather too vigorously by the recipient. Many teenagers in regard to this, have attempted suicides and gone into depression because of the inferiority complex that they have to incur for their looks and attire.

Reports conducted by the Journal of Adolescent Health stated that suicidal thoughts are found higher in young girls. The study’s lead author, Dong-Chul Seo, Ph.D., Associate Professor at the School of Public Health at Indiana University stated that, “The study’s findings clearly indicate that overweight perception is an independent predictor for suicidal ideation, the same as depression.”

Seo and his colleagues analyzed the responses of 6,504 middle school and high school students surveyed from 134 schools in 50 states between 1995 and 2008. Participants were asked if they had seriously thought about committing suicide during the past 12 months and how they perceived their body weight. Researchers found that suicidal thoughts were higher in those who thought they were overweight compared to those who didn’t see themselves as overweight (18 percent vs. 10.4 percent).

Fashion monopoly for that reason has completely traded the society into mere puppets! To be aware is appreciable, but not for the wrong reasons – be self-unconscious and audacious enough to follow an off-beat path if fashion doesn’t make you feel comfortable. There are people out there who are proud of who they are and how they look, be an Olga Sherer or Ashley Graham – recognize how stunning you are, and that no single soul can dim your shine!

(1160 Words)