Fashion is something barbarous, for it produces innovation without reason and imitation without benefit.
- George Santayana, philosopher (1863-1952)
The subject of the fashion industry makes be uncomfortable because, like the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries, it persuades people, using peer pressure, that they need something they usually do not, often can't afford and may be outright impractical as apparel.
In particular, the fashion and cosmetics industries constitute the ultimate examples in society of corporations leading unsuspecting dupes by the nose to buy products they don't need but are afraid not to buy because they don't want to be "out of fashion."
In this condemnation I do not include high fashion, which is an entertainment industry unto itself for those with more money than they know how to spend on necessities.
Men buy suits and other clothing on the basis of brand name, which they assume will satisfy the envy of their peers who care. Many women, so far as I can tell, empty their savings on a regular basis so that they can look just right for their office jobs in their city's skyscrapers. "Dress for the job you want, not for the job you have."
A recent study in the UK and the USA found that most men (56% or more) from ages 18 to 34 prefer women to wear no makeup. The men surveyed were single and married (but not both at the same time).
When women "dress up," they dress to be attractive, much the way call-girls dress. Some say they buy expensive clothing and shoes to please themselves, which in psychological terms is called narcissism. Some dress to please other women, which either suggests that they are gay or want to impress women who likely bear them no good will.
Some drsss up to please men, either their mates or prospective mates, or just to titilate the men they work with. These I deem to be the most honest with themselves. However, most boys learn somewhere along the way that the most attractive and seductive women should be admired but not taken seriously because they are as apt to walk away from a marriage or relationship as towards one.
Men may lust after the most attractive women, but most will consider them throw-aways they would never seriously plan to keep as mates. Most men know that the women they wake up with in the morning had better have more to offer to a relationship than their first-thing appearance.
There is little point in expanding on the cosmetics industry other than to say that it gained power in the 1940s when a movie makeup man (Revlon) saw a fortune to be made selling makeup to women who want to look like movie stars.
As if any sane woman would want to live the life of a movie star. No, they say, but I want to look like one. Because...? Because the fashion and cosmetics industries have persuaded them that they should look like movie stars.
Of course the tail can wag the dog. Well, not with real dogs. Only with people who want to "put on the dog."
Naturally that is my opinion. I'm comfortable with it given what I have observed in my studies.
Bill Allin
'Turning it Around: Causes and Cures for Today's Epidemic Social Problems,' striving to strip today's realities down to bare facts.
Learn more at http://billallin.com
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Comments: 12
I was facinated to see an article concerning the current popularity of cosmetics and cosmetic surgery in the evil empire of Iran where the burka is the fashion and the face is the only display.
Daniel, what is ego but what we believe we should be according to what others have told us?
The burka is one fashion in Iran, but not the only one by any means. However, it's not wise for a woman to be out alone at night (anytime!) in Tehran without being covered. The rest of the country is primitive by comparison.
One show that I saw on TV had one 12-year-old with 3 Louis Vittion bags in her closet, while the poor mom took brown bag lunches to work, and the question the mom had for one of the talk show pundits was, "Am I Spoiling my Child?" Ya think?
In case you're wondering, I had to go to Google to find out how to spell, "Vittion", not having one of my own, nor wanting one, nor understanding why I would want to spend that kind of money on one. Sigh, I guess I'll remain a happy plebian. Confession - I love my iPod and couldn't live without my TIVO. To each his own. :-)
Back on subject, I worked in the fashion industry for years and it is very easy to get caught up in deciding whether pale yellow or "hot" yellow will be the "it" color for the year - as if it mattered. I'm glad that I'm out of it, but there are occasions that it is fun to "dress up", and I think that should be a matter of choice for a woman or a man, and hopefully not one that is dictated to them.
In a perfect world we wouldn't judge a book by its cover, in the mean time, can't I lust after a Ferrari just a little bit and still be good person?
It's not our wants or our needs that concern me, but the fact that these are dictated by industries. They tell us that we need to buy something, but they don't tell us that the reason we need to buy something is that we lack some of the basic needs of life that would make us happy--and they would be free.
Then again I have spent a lot of money on Coach bags. However, I do still own all six and my oldest one is 25 years old. I doubt any jeans I would have spent big money on would still be wearable in public.
We are social animals and, as such, follow the behaviour patterns of other social animals such as bees, ants, wolves and so on. Compare the social behaviour of social animal species and you will understand the social behaviour of humans.
I wish I knew what kind of lives those skinny models have once they reach about age 50.
I remember growing up that if you weren't wearing 501 Levi's (button fly), you just weren't with it. I suffered for some time in school because we couldn't afford them. Then when I could, they were out and bell bottoms in, ha ha.
I have never truly understood, or felt it necessary to spend a fortune on clothes, but sure have some relatives/in-laws that feel it it is required. I'm considered a conservative dresser by them, and told I should be more "varied in apparel" I guess you would call it. It took some time, but they finally have given up on buying me clothes I would never wear as gifts....thank God.
I'm glad I'm male when it comes to fashion or make-up, especially in the work force environment. It seems women must make a larger effort in these areas, depending on the situation or job to meet expectations......?
Thanks.
What's on television when the parents are not supervising?
When industries teach consumerism, if parents do not teach countervailing lessons the kids will believe in consumerism.
As for clothing competitions, I ask my self if I really want to be like the person who wants me to dress in a more fashionable manner. My answer is always the same: I would rather not even be in the same room as these people.