I chose the extract from Malcolm Bernard’s book fashion as communication. The chapter about the etymology of fashion which focuses on the uses of fashion and the many vocabulary around it and looks at the definitions of third throughout history. He uses this to comment on the various uses of fashion in from what he believes it to be and the way this influences society. I particularly found the comments on the way fashion can inform the way we talk to others interesting.

Malcolm Bernard writes ‘which conceal, even as they communicate, the social position of the wearer. Fashion and clothing, that is, may be the most significant ways in which social relations between people are constructed, experienced and understood.’ Barnard (2002) I would have to agree in part that fashion is often a barrier or a reason for people either to talk to someone or not and then if they develop a relationship in any form. I often find that people especially in the fashion sector seem to group together as on a whole allot of people in the fashion sector would dress quite differently to others. I think we all make decisions on people and there personality’s maybe even their sexuality on their dress even on a subconscious level.

I found this quote backs up my point ‘marking out particular kinds of bodies, drawing distinction in terms of class and status, gender, age, sub-cultural affiliations that otherwise would not be so visible or significant’ Entwistle and Wilson (2001).This also brings up the point about affiliation as I think this is hinted at in Bernard’s earlier quote that by wearing sometimes we are showing which group we belong to or how we show support for a group of people. They also bring up for a fact that if we didn’t wear clothes this affiliation would only been known if we knew the person well or asked them about themselves. I believe this to be true as I often can tell what music people like or what hobbies there into according to the way they adorn their bodies. I feel this has come more apparent with cheaper fashion and people having more disposable income they are freer to dress in an expressive way and the way that they want too. My point is back up with this quote from adorned in dreams. ‘Economic expansion was the basis for a revolution in customs, beliefs and daily experience; henceforth fashion itself become one medium for the expression of the values of modernity. There was a move from display to identity.’ Wilson (2003) Also, the freedom to dress however you want I feel has a connection to how we act around others and how we see ourselves fitting into groups.

In conclusion I like Bernard’s thoughts on fashion although often portrays the way people use it in a negative tone I do believe people use it as a way of telling what each other are like. Asking a quick judgement according to what a person is adorned in is something we all do even if it is subconsciously. Also agree with he’s point about clothing being a barrier between groups according to social class and tastes. It is how allot of people establish who they are going to side with in new social situations. I have also found through my other quotes I found that I think it may even effect are opinion of ourselves and make us question how we act via what we are wearing at the time.

Entwistle, J. and Wilson, E. (2001). Body dressing. Oxford: Berg.
Barnard, Malcolm (2002) Fashion as Communication, London: Routledge.
Wilson, E. (2003). Adorned in dreams. London: I.B. Tauris, p.155.