The Importance of Fashion in Everyday Life

Now, I know that at a young age, we were all told that we shouldn’t judge people on their looks, but that’s just how our brains work. In the first 17 seconds of meeting someone, first impressions are made solely based on how that person looks, dresses, and carries themselves. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you should choose what you wear based on what others may or may not think of you. Fashion is a way to express yourself. It's a way to tell people who you are without saying a word.

Pretend for a moment, that you are in a grocery store. The item you want is on the top shelf and you can’t reach it. There are two other people in the same aisle as you. The first of the two is wearing a crop top and sandals, while the other has on a Star Wars t-shirt and a beanie. Who do you ask for help? Now, there’s no right answer to this question. Its all based on personal preference and who you can see yourself talking to. You were not told anything about who the person was, you just knew based on what they were wearing. This happens every day. Its how we make friends and start relationships.

Every time you watch something new on tv or in a theatre, you meet new characters. Before they even start talking, you see what they are wearing and based on that, you can infer things about them. Maybe they are dressed in a huge ball gown, indicating that they may be someone of importance. Maybe they are wearing a dirty, torn apron, indicating that they may be a peasant. Whatever it is that they are wearing, you can usually figure out something about them.

Clothing can also be used as a way to convey a message. Have you ever seen someone with a shirt that says something like “Love is Love” or “The Future is Female”? Maybe once you saw someone was wearing a shirt with the name of a show or movie that you liked on it. This is how people communicate and connect without saying anything.

Next time you’re deciding on what to wear, think about what you want your outfit to say. I know why I wear what I wear, how about you?