The Psychology of Fashion
Fashion is the style of dress that reflects a person’s current cultural and social status, nature, attitude, and personality. Fashion varies from one time to the next and it can even change within the same culture, as well as reflecting the changing attitudes of individuals. Fashion is often linked in a positive way with beauty, glamour and style. However, it can also give a negative image if worn inappropriately.
Regardless of whether it is high-end designer clothing or the latest affordable clothing, people want to keep up with the latest fashion trends. This includes shoes, jewelry and accessories as well as hairstyles. Some people like to follow the fashion of popular musicians, actors and other cultural icons while others follow the fashion of their friends or work mates. The media also influences fashion by reporting on what celebrities are wearing and what they are doing.
The earliest records of the development of fashionable clothing date back to ancient Egypt and Rome, but the modern idea of fashion is usually associated with the French designer Charles Frederick Worth, who founded haute couture in 1858. Before then, fashion was largely dependent on tailors and dressmakers. In addition to clothes, fashionable accessories and body adornment have always been important status symbols. This is because they can be easily seen by other people, are easy to copy and are a form of semiotic distinction, whereby the wearer signals that he or she belongs to a particular group (e.g., wealthy people).
Although some fashions are designed to create uniformity – such as the Mao suits in China – most are used as a way of expressing individuality or as a means of gaining recognition. Some fashions are short-lived, and others recur over the course of centuries. Fashion can be influenced by the media, but it is also affected by social and economic changes and, to some extent, political events.
Some people feel that fast-changing fashions reflect the negative aspects of capitalism. For example, they may encourage consumers to purchase unnecessary goods and can make people feel envious of those who have more expensive tastes. Other people, especially young people, enjoy the variety that the changing fashions provide and see them as a way of expressing themselves and their creativity.
In addition, there are many psychological effects that the fashion industry can have on consumers, including feelings of excitement, anticipation and pleasure. This is partly because the entire process of shopping – browsing, trying on, purchasing and styling – gives people a natural dopamine boost. In addition, the act of deciding what to wear can alleviate stress and anxiety for some people by giving them a sense of purpose and direction. This is particularly true for women, who are often concerned about their appearance and have many roles to play. It is therefore not surprising that some of them are addicted to the sensation of the rush and excitement of shopping. The good news is that there are several ways to curb excessive shopping habits.