How People Dress Affects Their Lives - Essay Example

The image that is carried by an individual is one which indicates where they are in life and how they can progress. In today’s society, fashion judgments and materialism are the main ways in which individuals are placed into a social and caste system. This is specifically associated with the judgments which are made in terms of gender, ethical association and what one believes about another’s personality. When I look at my own life, I have seen that the way in which I dress also affects the way in which I interact with society, experiences that I have had and where I am able to go. TTThe fashion that is worn leads to judgments and stereotypes with fashion and materialism becoming the new caste system. Despite my abilities, characteristics or beliefs as a person, it is the first judgment which individuals see which causes them to place me in a category and to create expectations surrounding my belief system. This is not only recognized with high society comments and belief systems, but the judgments are now being taught to children. There are several personal examples which I can associate with that relate to the fashion statements I make directly affecting my place in life. One is when I went to a job interview to work for a small business. The business was a clothing store that only had been functioning for two years and which needed an individual to design the clothes. When I was called for the interview, I was told that I had a good chance of being able to join the team and help with the growth of the company. However, I made the mistake of dressing casually in jeans and in a t-shirt. Even though there wasn’t a dress code which was taken, the employer immediately told me that I wasn’t fit for the job because I didn’t look professional. The judgment that was made was based on the belief that my casual appearance also meant that I didn’t take the time to prepare for the interview and that I wasn’t taking the job seriously enough. The one that did get the job was able to do so because she came to the interview with a shorter skirt, heels and a professional look, meaning that she was able to fit with the idealized example. The talent considerations, characteristics, experience and other associations were not the primary objective, but instead, I was judged by the jeans that I chose to wear. The concept which is associated with dress is one that is based on the accepted beliefs of fashion judgments. My personal scenario is one of several cases related to fashion judgment, which indicates that one’s self worth is dependent on what they wear. This extends into a sociological problem that is now taught with deeper significance within society. Sociologists, cultural historians and moralists have all attributed the problems with judgments and stereotypes as one based with a specific part of an individual which looks in a certain way. This is the basis of racial forms of division, stereotypes, prejudice, gender differences and biases and other problems with generalized identities which create divisions among individuals within society. The concept of creating a judgment over one’s identity becomes the main question, specifically because it is an expected part of society. This is followed by the belief that each individual needs to be involved with fashion for creating a specific identity. Vieria, a marketing specialist in fashion states: “In the last decades, the market is feeling that the consumers are monitoring more in their fashion environment. In this context, fashion clothing appears to become so important that many people are becoming involved in it as an identity” (Vieria, 179). The concept of involvement leads to one judging themselves and others. It has been found that these judgments are now reaching into age as well as a rise in commitment to creating value of life through the judgments of fashion and the new styles and trends which are apparent within society (Vieria, 179). The concept of fashion judgment isn’t one that is just accepted within society and the roles it takes. The marketing of fashion has led to individual scenarios that accept fashion judgment as a necessary part of the sociological trends. The concept of fashion is one which is no longer about an individual feeling the way that they want or being able to carry a certain expression. To fashion experts, it is the way which one associates with others in society. For example, the writer of the blog Relax states “When we dress up and go to public places, it becomes an issue. Why? That’s because the way we dress affects ourselves and other people. It is basically a matter of self respect and respect to others” (Relax, 1). This mentality is one that is seen everywhere in society and is expected as a way of living, judging others and determining where one stands within society. The judgment that is passed not only is based on the expectations of fashion reflecting an individual. It has moved into a social status that is accepted within society all which builds stereotypes and a caste system based around materialism. I have found that this is based only on materialistic values of how one dresses whether they keep up with the latest trends and whether they are aware of what is in or not. If someone doesn’t fit with these applications, then they are either not wealthy, not aware or don’t care about themselves. There are several who have formed cliché statements that directly refer to this. For instance, a writer who is creating impressions about new movements gives advice to youth by stating: “If you’ve got it, flaunt it…. Bling is supposed to mean that you have money to burn. Only an individual with deep pockets can afford to spend the price of a house on a single pair of earrings” (Doll Palace, 1). These types of judgments that lead to stereotypes then become a direct association with wealth, or the opposite. The automatic judgments everyone makes with the styles of clothing then immediately creates a social hierarchy that everyone willingly follows and continues to attribute to the expectations that are in society and which are based around fashion. The social hierarchy which is related isn’t only based on the training toward fashion judgments, but is also magnetized by pop culture. I have found that fashion judgments is one which has now become a term based on the trends which one keeps up with. For instance, if Hollywood stars set a trend and one doesn’t follow it, then they might be considered poor and unable to keep up with the latest values in society. The fashion police are one of the examples of this with the judgments that are now expected in national media. For example, the Fashion Police are known for making statements such as: “Holy smokin’ hotness! At a dinner in Italy, Salma Hayek is serving up herself as the main dish – poured into this wine colored glittery Gucci dress with matching shrug, peep – toe platforms and clutch, she’s oozing sexiness and glamour. Whoever’s sitting next to this ravishing babe during dinner has the best seat in the house” (Fashion Police, 1). This is an example of how the fashion statement also gives the best seat in the house and makes an expected statement and trend to grab attention, and which others would be encouraged to follow for the same response. The materialistic wealth that is based around the fashion has become the main area of judgment, as opposed to looking beyond the dress and fashion which one has. These move into extreme judgments based only on the latest trends and create beliefs that “displays of ridiculous styles” (Prelim, 1) also mean that the entire individual should be banned from society (Prelim, 1). The concept of creating a social stigma is one which creates a caste system that is both judgmental and which each individual believes is necessary. While this is magnetized from one point of view, most in society believe that it is necessary to understand the environment, surroundings and attitudes of others. If I were to meet someone on the streets that is dressed inappropriately, I would assume that they were interested in getting money or were involved in a shady deal. Even if he or she has some words of wisdom which are true, then I won’t ignore this individual or pass judgment on that the individual is. The concept of judging another individual because of the fashion which they wear or the way in which they look is another form of creating a caste system and placing individuals in a specific place because of material values. Tai – hua, a fashion cultural professional, states: “The value guide to the fashion culture creates a negative and positive impact on the formation of one’s values and outlooks toward life. The value guide of fashion is one which often predetermines one’s moral work, higher education and overall values” (Tai – hua, 3). The concept is determined as a generic judgment and follows logic of trying to find ways to follow intuitive values in given situations. If an individual in society looks like they are dangerous, for instance, then it is best to make the judgment and to remain safe. This practical way of thinking is one which is extended to generic and superficial judgments, specifically which are based on the fashion statements which one makes. This particular attitude shows that, while there is an association with fashion judgments for a sense of protection, it no longer is associated with this. Instead, the dress that one decides to wear also depicts their place in society. I have found from my own personal consequences of dressing in the wrong style, that my talent, ability to work correctly and the associations with my characteristics are overlooked if I am unable to take the right approach to my fashion. However, I also have found that if there is someone that doesn’t have the right talent but has the right looks, they are immediately regarded as one who has everything, including talents, looks and other associations that are within society. The idea of fashion and judging an individual according to how they look then becomes a generic and superficial strategy to judge others, gain status and to create a materialistic social system which degrades some individuals while allowing others in society to rise because of what they decide to wear. The danger of this particular approach to fashion is one that is not only problematic with individuals that are in society now. There are also questions which need to arise in terms of how one is teaching children and looking at the future in terms of materialism over character. It is known that the children’s fashion market is continuing to rise, with most children expecting to have a continuous number of clothes for identity and to keep up with the latest fashions in Hollywood. This mentality is rising even further among children that are reaching their teens and which hold a belief that they have to fit into a certain social group and stigma which makes a statement that they have prestige, style and fit into a specific set of individuals. According to researchers in the fashion industry: “Some reflections on the ways in which children’s consumption might be more fully theorized is as the combined product of familial relations, social network effects, individualization and market structures” (Crewe, Collins, 7). Children are emerged into a world of consumption and materialism that creates the belief in which self – identity is based on fashion, clothing and how one presents themselves in society, as well as being based on the number of commodities which a child has. The danger with this is based on how the consumption becomes the identity, instead of understanding how this should only reflect personality. While teaching children to have commodities and materialism is not necessarily bad, I believe that it takes away from values, character and the ability for one to base their identity on their beliefs, attitudes, values and perceptions of life. The materialistic culture which I now see taking over society is one which I believe is dangerous, specifically because there are superficial and generic judgments that are given by most that are in society. However, this doesn’t have a sense of equivalence to the character which an individual might have. I have seen several instances in which a woman is overlooked because of her looks, including her weight, age or the dress that she wears. However, if a girl wears something that is attractive and which has a higher level of sexual appeal, then she will receive assistance and is immediately placed at the top of a hierarchy. For example, an individual interested as a child specialist states “As teens discover who they are, they appreciate the opportunity to try and show others their personal tastes. Fashion is one way that teens can express themselves in a constructive way. Unfortunately, self – expression can also lead to judgment and bullying” (Child.net, 1). If children grow up to believe that this is an acceptable behavior, with materialism being the only defining point, then there are dangers in losing talent, capabilities in society and the capacity to have self – expression that comes from somewhere outside of a fashion statement. The concept of fashion behavior that is in society is one which has transcended beyond finding something to wear, looking one’s best or making a statement about identity. It is now dominating the way in which society operates, including the associations which one has in a business, the economic relationships which are a part of this, the political stance which one has and the ability to recognize where one stands in society. If I look at someone with high – end clothing, then I immediately believe that he or she is wealthy and that they have a good job and are able to hold a high class in society. If I see someone with holes in their jeans, then they belong to a different social class and I immediately carry specific judgments about their activities in life. These fashion behaviors are ones which determine where one stands in life. It is also an expected and accepted behavior in society. The stereotypes of materialism are now taking over the idea of identity, placement in life and the capabilities which one has for expressions and growth within society. From my own experiences I was able to find that the concept of fashion behaviors is a way in which almost everyone in society has found a new way of passing judgments and placing individuals at a certain social status. Works Cited Childnet. ‘Teens and Fashion.” 2011. Retrieved June 6, 2011 from http://www.child.net/articles/fashion/. Crewe, Louise, Phillip Collins. “Commodifying Children: Fashion, Space, and the Production of the Profitable Child.” Environment and Planning 38 (1), 2006. Doll House. “Wearing Your Wealth.” 2011. Retrieved June 6, 2011 from: http://www.thedollpalace.com/dollnews/Wearing-Your-Wealth-aid4217.html. Fashion Police. “Jaw, Meet Floor.” 2011 Retrieved June 6, 2011 from: http://www.eonline.com/fashion/fashionpolice/index.jsp#126474. Prelim, MJ Manslaughter. “Fashion Judgments: Janet Jackson.” TMZ. Retrieved from: http://www.tmz.com/2011/01/06/doctor-conrad-murray-michael-jackson-manslaughter-preliminary-hearing-fashion-bow-tie-tmz-on-tv/. Relax. “The Way You Dress Does Affect Your Life.” The Wise Curve 2008. Retrieved June 2, 2011 from: http://wisecurve.com/the-way-you-dress-does-affect-you-life/. Tai – hua, Wu. “The Error of Value Guide to College Students’ Fashion Culture and Its Reconstruction.” Journal of Minxi Vocational and Technical College 17 (3), 2006. Vieria, Valter. “An Extended Theoretical Model of Fashion Clothing Involvement.” Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management 13 (2), 2009. Read More