is fashion individual?
can you have a unique style?
With the increase of fast fashion, trends in the media, and overconsumption of certain clothing statements, no one is individual anymore. Fashion is a form of self-expression, a reason why I am so in love with clothes and fabrics, because they are so independent from each other; however, it’s harder to express yourself as different from someone else nowadays.
As Fred Davis put it, fashion is not a code-like language but a “quasi-code”, which leaves too much room for the receiver’s interpretation (Davis, 1994; d’Aura, 2024). It can be argued that different Fashionistas may wish to communicate several messages through clothes.1
Fashionistas, I would define as a woman who has an interest in fashion and articulates outfits to present them in a desired light.
So, do non-fashionistas conform to trends in order to fit in rather than express themselves with unconventional clothing?
Maintaining a ‘style’ is difficult in itself due to the hundreds of styles out there, and keeping it authentic to your personal style is even harder. So perhaps, conforming to a trend, knowing people appreciate it, is easier and less stressful. Often, homogeneity occurs with fast fashion, but trends and social media, especially with social hierarchies and idolisation of fashion-based content creators and influencers, make it more apparent. The repeated nature of social media, along with the rise of short-form content, would radicalise trends to consumers likely to be less interested in fashion.
But the authenticity to me is the self-expression. Wearing clothes that are driven by your personal empowerment and taste rather than an algorithm is what makes fashion unique and timeless.
Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE a bangle stack, cheetah print, low rise jean, and baby tee, but I don’t religiously follow trends as I know what does and doesn’t suit me. In retrospect, a trend is a trend because so many people like it, so it would be silly to rebuke all trends. However, the commercialisation of style is leading to the death of individuality.
Figure out what suits you and your personality/style before purchasing the hottest new thing on TikTok. (I would also always suggest an investment in a full-length mirror!!!! and Pinterest over TikTok)
Wear whatever you are comfortable in, don’t let trends tell you what to wear! And don’t be afraid to dislike a trend, just don’t publicly shame someone, as that might suit them. FASHION IS INDIVIDUAL.
d’Aura, Giuppy. “'Fashioning Identity’: Exploring Psychologic and Social Implications of Wearing Fashion in a Grounded Theory Analysis of Five Female “Fashionistas”." Fashion Studies, vol. 5, no. 2, 2024, pp. 1-30, https://doi.org/10.38055/FS050202