‘FASHION IS TRIVAL AND RIDICULOUS AND SERIOUS MINDS NEED NOT BE DETAINED BY IT’

In his book ‘Fashion as Communication’, Malcolm Barnard explores the definition and purpose of fashion. Within the book, Barnard discusses the belief in the triviality of fashion:

‘The idea that fashion and clothing are trial pursuits is just one popular prejudice. Writing in the Guardian in 1992, Wilson notes how, ‘every so often, a letter appears in The Guardian’s Woman’s Page. The writer of the letter is always different but, she says, the letter is always the same and it always argues that fashion is ‘irrelevant to serious- minded persons’ [Malcolm Barnard 2002:17]

To me, it seems Wilson is using this example to disagree with the point being made. By stating the ‘writer is always different’ but ‘the letter is always the same’ [Wilson 1992:34]. If this was a really comment made by ‘serious- minded persons’ would it really be a just a constant repetition of the same view? Wilson also uses the repetition of the word ‘always’, this elongates her statement, creating a sense of boredom towards these letters.
Like Wilson, I would argue that fashion is anything but trivial. In 2016 the UK’s creative contributed £90 billion to net GDP, accounting for one in eleven jobs, with the fastest growing employment rate than other aspects of the economy. I believe fashion is a way to express personality, it can be manipulated to communicate a certain message, an indicator of social group or class. Fashion, ‘in spite of its seemingly trivial nature…expresses the individuality of the wearer, and conveys to those around them so much about who they are. It can introduce like-minded individuals, project a personal image and values, and enable mutual understanding. It communicates, and it connects.’ [Drost 2017].

I would also argue that the idea that fashion is ‘irrelevant’ to serious or powerful people is incorrect. Many people use fashion to ‘power dress’, wearing garments of a certain style to create confidence or to portray a certain message. Power dressing evolved in ‘the late 1970s and early 80’s, business-minded woman began dressing- if not for power, then simply to fit in.. and if they wanted to be taken seriously’ [Nelson 2017]. Nelson argues that power dressing now is ‘wide-ranging and refreshingly individualistic’ far from that of the 1970s, yet is still used on a daily basis by the majority of the most powerful people within society. Political leaders are perhaps a good example of this. During political campaigns this way of dressing is particularly prevalent, potential leaders can be seen to dress themselves to portray certain messages or highlight personality. The current Prime minister, Theresa May, utilises power dressing when she is within the public eye:

‘It’s a winning formula that she relied upon for David Cameron’s last cabinet meeting, where she stepped out in a navy blue trouser suit with origami lapel’ paired with a ‘bold statement necklace’ [Pentelow and O’Connor 2017]

The navy trouser suit reminiscent of 70’s power dressing, a more masculine dress to assert power and seriousness, yet the use of a statement necklace adds a sense of personality and femininity to the outfit. This outfit works to create a certain image May wishes to portray, that of seriousness, yet a personality, to be relatable.

To argue fashion is trivial is naive; not only is the industry one of the biggest, and greatest employers within the UK, you cannot escape fashion. The way we dress on a daily bases, whether we favour current trends or past styles, we are portraying a message, a visual communication. How we dress and embrace fashion can often say a lot about the individual, it may be we’re dressing for power, or to communicate a message, but I believe it is crucial that we are able to dress to embrace individuality. I understand that fashion could be seen as trivial due to its ever changing nature or perhaps increased materialism, yet I think you cannot underestimate the power of dress upon the individual.

[1] Barnard, M (2002) Fashion as Communication, London: Routledge.

[2] Wilson, E (2003) Adorned in Dreams, London: I B Tauris

[3] Drost C (2017) Why is Fashion Important in Society? One Lucid, August 12th, https://www.onelucid.com/home-1/2017/8/12/why-is-fashion-important-in-society

[4] Nelson, K (2017) How is Fashion Updating Power Dressing for 2017. W Magazine, February 21st, https://www.wmagazine.com/story/power-dressing-for-2017-celine-prada-balenciaga

[5] Pentelow, O and O’Connor T (2017) Theresa May: A Political Life in Pictures. Vogue UK, June 22nd. https://www.vogue.co.uk/gallery/theresa-may-political-life-in-pictures