Clothing perspective, for fun or function
“I have a friend through my husband’s associates. She says she hates fashion and prides herself on a lack of knowledge of things related to clothing and fashion.
Interestingly I have taken her shopping a few times for an outfit for a special occasion like a wedding etc. Her husband prompted this. Not in a weird way but he has commented to my husband that he respects the way I am able to know what looks good on me.
My friend, as it turns out, has blocked out all knowledge of clothing and has no idea beyond t-shirt and jeans.
Surprisingly on shopping trips she has always been excited to find a flattering dress and matching jewellery. But she always goes back to talking about clothes as frivolous and a waste of money.”
This story is illuminating because of the two sides of the fashion debate that the friend occupies. The one being that clothes carry no significance. The other is the excitement that comes from looking good and dressing in a flattering outfit.
Over the ages, people argued over the difference in opinion with regard to the importance of clothing.
The extremes could be represented by the Imelda Marcos shoe incident of 3000 pairs. It is this end of the spectrum that has possibly given fashion the name of wasteful and indulgent.
The other side of the fashion spectrum is where trendy clothing is an anathema. It is where someone may choose to only wear one item of clothing everyday, a grey t-shirt for example.
Both sides are part of the bell curve. The bell curve represents all points of view. The point of view that is most common sits in the middle and pushes the curve up. At either end the number of people that hold that point of view gets less and less and the curve drops away.
So what point of view is the middle of the bell curve when it comes to fashion?
Where does “knowing your best colours” and “dressing in flattering outfits” sit on the bell curve?
As part of this post I am conducting my own mini poll. So please let me know what you think.