Developing a Sense of Style
Fashion is a prevailing mode of expression, whether in clothing, hairstyles or even language. A person’s fashion is often a reflection of their personality or the times in which they live. Fashion has been used throughout history as a way to demonstrate a sense of solidarity with certain groups and a means of expressing individuality.
In modern Western society, people have a wide array of choices when it comes to selecting their clothing. Some clothes are made for individuals and tailored to their specific measurements and specifications, known as haute couture or bespoke tailoring. Other clothing is manufactured for the mass market and sold in stores, known as ready-to-wear or fast fashion. Fashion trends usually start when people who have high social status or a lot of public exposure begin wearing new or different clothes. This may inspire people who like or respect them to start wearing clothes of a similar style.
The line between fashion and anti-fashion can become blurred, as elements of non-fashion, such as traditional dress, begin to be incorporated into the ever changing world of fashion. Fashion also reflects the times and significant events in a country or region. In the past, when Europeans traveled to exotic regions of the world, it was common for them to bring back new styles that would eventually influence the fashion in their home countries.
Many of the world’s leading fashion companies have their headquarters in major cities such as New York City, London, Paris, and Milan. These companies employ large numbers of people to design, manufacture, and sell their garments and accessories. Smaller or independent designers may create their own lines of clothing, but they are often inspired by the work of established fashion houses.
Developing a sense of style requires patience and a lot of trial and error. Those who have a good eye for what looks good on them usually spend lots of time observing the way other people dress and take note of what they do and don’t wear. They then slowly incorporate these ideas into their own wardrobes, trying out colors and silhouettes that are outside of their usual comfort zones. They may also go into stores just to try on a bunch of stuff and make mental or physical notes of what they like and don’t.
Those with an excellent sense of style are usually able to tell when something is cool and then quickly move on to the next trend. However, a cool thing doesn’t die; it simply becomes oversaturated and loses its sizzle, then lies dormant for a while until it begins to heat up again. This is the cycle of fashion, which is why it’s so important to keep an open mind and stay on top of the latest trends. As a result, the fashion industry is highly competitive and a constant state of flux. However, there are several things that all fashion designers should keep in mind to be successful.