The famous saying goes, “clothes make the man,” and while that might seem shallow to some, it is true nonetheless. For a lot of us, our style is one of the many ways we express ourselves and our character to the rest of the world.
Indeed, fashion has for long been a way to recognize people like us in interests and opinions, which is why so often you see friends who dress so similarly. In fact, there have been entire subcultures centered around a specific type of dressing, like a goth, punk, biker, and even the famous flappers of the 1930s! If you want to read about fashion subcultures in more detail, go ahead and click here.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that fashion has often provided a look into the state of a society at the time and has been the mode of liberation for many marginalized groups. After all, there is a good reason why a lot of designers and artists are part of the LGBT community. This form of artistry allowed them a mode of expression that not many art circles did.
However, for others, clothes can be an uncomfortable look into their socioeconomic status. When you think about it, the type of clothes we wear often reveals our financial situation. Certain haute couture brands like Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci, etc., are instantly recognizable and much of their appeal comes from having their logos advertised on their products.
Unfortunately, that is also why they are so expensive and inaccessible to a lot of people. Their fame and scarcity are part of their attractiveness, and some brands go as far as even to burn any remaining unsold pieces to maintain the prices of the product. Learn more about this bizarre phenomenon on this page.
An awful divide
That way, only a select group of people can buy their merchandise, and their status as luxury goods remains unchallenged. While this makes a lot of sense from the brand’s economic perspective, it can bring about some serious discrepancies and implications on a larger level.
Namely, it is not unheard of that people are being made fun of wearing knock-off versions of the same brands we just discussed. Sometimes, it seems that wearing a fake branded product can be an even bigger sin than just not owning one at all.
Needless to say, this can harm people’s self-confidence and, even more so, their social standing. Folks who come from underprivileged backgrounds and trying to fight their way up the corporate ladder struggle with these kinds of class differences.
One of the most important things in job interviews is being dressed appropriately and professionally, which many of these brands sell. But if you cannot afford them or can only afford the cheap versions, you risk not looking as polished as the competition and losing the job because of it.
Moreover, there has been an increasing number of reports of bullying in schools because of clothing. Indeed, many teenagers who are not as affluent and can’t afford to wear branded clothes get tormented by those who can. This creates a very hostile environment for young people who are still trying to find themselves and grow into their skins.
Reforming how we view fashion
Therefore, it is no surprise that more and more schools are opting for enforcing mandatory uniforms. Although plenty of parents are not fans of the idea, whether because it adds extra costs to the already high bills for school supplies or stifles their child’s individuality, it certainly seems to curb the bullying problem.
Furthermore, wearing uniforms can make children feel more connected to each other and like they belong to something bigger than themselves, which is always a good lesson to learn in such a vulnerable period of life. The benefits truly outweigh the disadvantages!
One thing many parents worry about when purchasing school uniforms for their kids is that they will not be of good enough quality. Luckily, there is no need to worry about this at all. Companies such as Able Cresting Ltd. provide your youngsters with the highest quality fabric there is out there. You will not need to replace their uniforms as long as they do not grow them out!
Even if school uniforms are the first association we get when we hear that word, that does not mean they are the only places they are used in. Uniformed clothing is essential in places like hospitals, grocery stores, and even sports games in order for people to be able to distinguish those they need from the rest of the crowd.
Some brands like Target have even made their signature colors synonymous with their brand, so much that seeing a random person outside can trigger someone to ask them on which aisle the milk is. It is genuinely impressive what kind of associations the brain can all make.
That being said, there has also been quite a debate of whether grocery store workers should wear uniforms or not. Sure, for the larger supermarket chains supplying the employees with them is no issue. But what about smaller businesses who often can’t afford to add merchandise to their budget? Find out more about this problem at the following link: https://thebalancesmb.com/retail-uniforms-good-or-bad-2889981
Regardless of your opinion on the matter, we think we can all agree that quality should always come first. Although retail is one of the industries with the highest turnover, that does not mean that the employees should suffer from low-quality clothing on behalf of their employer’s profits.
A few final words
In conclusion, fashion might have had a more considerable impact on our lives than we previously thought. It frames not only how we see the world but also how we see other human beings. Therefore, it is essential to approach it carefully, know when and where to revere its artistry and look beyond the fabric to the soul beneath.