The 'Fashion' Vs 'Style' debate: the commoner's perspective.

The fashion versus style debate has been raging on for decades now. I am neither a style icon, nor a fashion expert, just here to tell the common man’s or woman’s side of the story in this dilemma.

Who is this common man/ woman in focus?

To begin with an observation of a phenomenon in the society I live in: In India, the vast majority of the task-force belongs in a very young age-group. This segment of the population suddenly has a lot of money at disposal. The retail sector is of course leaving no stone unturned in order to loosen  their purse-strings by offering them choices galore in clothes, fashion accessories and gadgets, luring them into believing that possessing these brands will ultimately define their existences and their beings.

These young professionals are eager to make a statement- about their new-found financial independence, about having arrived somewhere in life. The most immediate and obvious means of making that statement is of course the way they appear. Most of them are acutely aware of the latest ‘trends’ in the fashion market. They know exactly what is being launched by which brand. Some of them are even honest enough to admit that they are actually saving up in order to be able to afford the absolute ‘must-haves’. And all this so that they might ‘appear’ fashionable or trendy season after season.

Asking the question: Am I hip and happening?

The launch happens, they buy, they sport these and for a while are happy. And I am happy for them for as long or short a while they are. However, there is a certain amount of pain as well seeing them all, barring a few rare exceptions, thank God, look like clones (forgive the directness of the expression) of each other, one indistinguishable from the next. If the latest in women’s fashion is having a tattoo or having an eyebrow pierced, then in a single gathering you would find at least three to four girls with the same thing. If the latest in men’s fashion is sporting a stubble, then every alternate guy you talk to has a stubble. After a while you might even forget who you just met or spoke to.

Are any of these people conscious of this, I wonder? I’m sure no one is actually aiming to become a faceless number in the fashionable crowd. The whole point of dressing up is probably to say, “hey, please notice, I am different or I am unique.” These faceless numbers are all people who you would say are ‘fashionably’ dressed. Why is it then that they are sacrificing their uniqueness for a mass hysteria to look the same, to become yet another ‘product launched’ by the fashion industry?

Is there a positive side to this?

There is indeed a positive side to this as well, especially in a country of diverse demographies like India. The youth of today are united by this Fashion-brand culture. Differences of heralding from diverse linguistic and ethnic backgrounds are no longer visible thanks to the jeans and tees and nokias and iPods. This is especially beneficial as the need of the day is frequent relocation and reintegration due to the ever-changing job prospects not only in different parts of the country, even in different parts of the globe. The mass culture wipes out identities and individualities effectively. As a result we have a united youth who have plugged in to whatever is the latest ‘trend’ in the market.

There is of course no harm in being ‘fashionable’ in this sense if one is happy being No.X or No.Y in the Fashion database. Thankfully I notice that some people are not party to this mania. They have what I would call a sense of style.

Having a sense of style.

Now to the question as to what it really means to have a sense of style. Does it mean keeping up with the latest trends by wearing the latest “It” items? Or does it, in fact, mean dressing in an original way that suits your own personality and body type? In my view, style is in saying something about who you are by the way you dress. You may or may not sport the latest fad of the market. If you wear the latest in fashion, it does not necessarily mean that you would become just another number without a sense of style. By avoiding the latest fad in the market you do not necessarily make a style-statement. What is required is rather a happy marriage of the two. Follow the trends in fashion, choose what is in sync with your personal style and make it work for you. But before all that, define your personal style.

Defining one’s personal style.  

Sandra Bullock
Distinct Personal Style.

Nelson Mandela
Defined Personal style

 

A good way to begin doing this is by loving the way you look, believing that simply by virtue of being part of Creation, you are already beautiful and unique just the way you are, even without any adornments. Next, become aware of your body type (weight/ height/ skin tone/ bone structure) and temperament (outgoing and extroverted? shy, reserved and introverted? fun-loving? serious? or both?). Last, and very important, find the answer to what type of personality you are. Do you enjoy indoor activities more or outdoor ones? Do you like hanging out with a large group of friends or just a few close ones? Do you admire anyone as a style icon in your personal life?( My style icon was, and continues to be, my late father. )

Once you start having this little conversation with yourself your own personal style will become visible to you. Then you can get ready to hit the retail floor and make ‘fashion trends’ work for your personal ‘style’

Points to ponder on while shopping.

Ø  Never buy anything that just looks good on display, try it to find out if it does anything for you. Ask yourself: Was this made for me?

Ø  Wear what you can carry off with confidence; what makes you feel good as you, not as a kitsch-copy of someone else.

Ø  Go easy on accessories: if you are making a statement with your spectacle lenses, then avoid the nose ring. If you are sporting elaborate danglers as earrings, leave you neck bare.

Ø  Instead of focusing on hiding what you imagine are flaws, highlight what you think are your best features.

Ø  If you are on the heavier side do not assume that wearing lose fitting clothes will hide the flab. Focus on clothes that enhance what's positive in you.

Ø  If your complexion is dusky, go for darker colors; if you are wheatish, wear pastel shades, if you are on the fairer side wear lighter shades.

Ø  Dress according to season; a blue green outfit on a cloudy day can make you feel wonderfully one with nature. An off-shoulder dress on a cold evening is not a good idea.

Ø  Take advantage of your age: If you are young, make youth work for you. I f you are mature, make maturity your forte.

Ø  Always have good quality footwear in basic colors like, dark tan, beige, and black. Avoid colors such as orange or blue, unless you are headed to a fancy-dress party.

Ø  Invest in good quality inner-wear, what makes you feel good inside will ultimately make you look good outside.

Ø  Always remain well-groomed if you are living a city life.

Ø  Always smell good; identify one or two signature perfumes.

Ø  Remember: the ultimate ‘oomph’-factor comes from your body and mind(physical and mental health); everything else is at best secondary.

A few last words...

Dress according to occasion: understated elegance is best for a concert, prim professional dressing for an important conference at work, jazz it up if you are going dancing. From my own experience and from what others have shared with me, it transpires that being underdressed can be embarrassing, but being overdressed can be far more so.

The final wisdom...

If in doubt, leave it out…