FASHIONS CONSTRUCTED VISION Lilly-Rose Wilshire©
With fashion being seemingly diverse, the attitude toward style based on socio-economic status continues to extend the economic divide.
CLOTHING IS A VEHICLE FOR SOCIALISATION.
We drive the force as we all slot into societies pecking order. Penetrating the idea of dressing to fit our social class. In Marxists terminology the bourgeoisie are individuals who buy into monopoly luxury brand fashion houses. These individuals are the fashion savvy trend setters of the community. On the other hand, the proletariat of wider society have little fashion knowledge, peaking with knock off designer copies, merely followers with no sense of the style.
WHAT MAKES THE RICH ‘FASHIONABLE’?
Trickle down theory is mirrored in both sociology and fashion. In sociological terms it is the idea that the wealthy bourgeois at the top pay less tax and make more profit, with the money they possess they spur the economy. In turn creating jobs for the proletariat at the bottom – trickling down the structure and benefitting all in society.
Fashions trickle down theory takes a similar view. The consumerist nature of the upper class will flow vertically to the lower classes of society. The upper class seek to establish new concepts within fashion to differentiate themselves from others within their social class. While working class individuals wish to seek acceptance among their social group. Trying to reach the fashion unattainable goals, set by the upper class resulting in copy cat creations. Both in sociology and fashion this forces a cycle of the rich minority being innovators with a place to exhibit wealth, While the poor majority crave similarity in lifestyles. Working for cheap replicas in awe of the upper class. Earning minimum wage and living in a council house given the expectation of Primark designer replicas that dress thousands of the population. Where as the high earning educated class dress in names brands that scream “I HAVE MONEY” to undermine those who yearn the brands of wealth.
WHY SHOULD FASHION GIANTS BE EVERYONE’S SOURCE OF ASPIRATION?
Dressing according to our social status is how we react to social conditioning – the way in which we are expected to behave in society.
Social order gives individuals a sense of belonging and shared value culture. This sense of belonging not only reacts to how we dress but who we talk to, what social activities we partake in and the political views we share. All building on a classes identity. Not experimenting beyond a social class leads to social exclusion of individuals. Therefore, why should the clothes on our backs determine where we fit in society. No single social group should be excluded from society because they do not fit the desired requirements of what it means to be fashionable. Being fashionable like society is a construct – we have built fashion up to a level that not all members of society can attain. A brand that shows no social class hierarchy reaching the masses and appealing to all incomes is yet to exist and still be considered high fashion.
WHY SHOULD MONEY MEAN FASHION? WHY SHOULD FASHION MEAN MONEY?
Fashion is stuck in a world of moral high ground where individuals use their wealth to radiate their power, only leading to resentment and hatred towards the upper crust of society.