subject: How To Create Fashion Self-identity [print this page] Do you go with the crowd or against the crowd when it comes to matters concerning your wardrobe? If you didn't already know be advised that fashion is never about what you wear, in the biggest sense of the word, fashion is largely about the kind of image you project to others. Majority of men these days have adopted a sheep like attitude when it comes to their wardrobe, choosing to conform to mass market trends rather that defining their own personal style.
It's never much of a problem but following mass marketed trends has some serious shortcomings, first it paints you as a person without a self-defined sense of style and second there's lack of originality. We understand marketing is a powerful force in influencing attitudes in our modern society but then why should you become a slave to the influence of marketing? You definitely have a choice to say no and find your own path in matters grooming and personal style. Conforming to mass-marketed trends could make you look like a caricature of style.
If you have the habit of following every little fad in the marketed then you're in for a big surprise. The biggest disservice is loosing your self-identity by following and doing what everyone else is doing. Why not be yourself and start buying things that will make you feel authentic and satisfied?
Slaves to outside opinions
Many people when they go out shopping for their wardrobe tend to ask for another person's opinion. Well, not that this is a problem but to what extend should you value someone's opinion when purchasing a fashion item?
If you really love an article of clothing and feel good in it, purchase it despite outside opinions. You will be the one wearing the item and not your opinionated companion.
This rule applies to advertising; do not purchase any garments simply because they look good on a billboard model or in a television advertisement. Chances are that every other man in town has the same sweater.
The best example to illustrate this is The Gap 's new marketing campaign which says "everybody leather", Plenty of folks who'd taken an oath never to wear leather jackets suddenly rushed to The Gap to purchase a leather item. Make decisions based on personal preference, not "pop" culture.
A trend follower
Leather jacket
"The Law of Supply and Demand" makes it difficult to steer clear of trends. New collections that appear in stores are all influenced by the same trend, which makes buying something original pretty difficult.
There's nothing wrong with being a trend follower as long as you don't succumb to the follow the leader syndrome. A good example of this is what happened a couple years ago when a number of fashion retailers started marketing orange clothes. Sooner than later lots of young folks with lack of personal style went and purchased these pumpkin colored apparels.
The best thing to do in a situation like this would be to purchase shirts with darker orange blends so that they may appear both trendy and chic. The difference between being fashionable and a fashion victim largely depends on the extend to which you follow personal preferences. Basic rules should nevertheless be followed, but foster the habit of purchasing what you feel comfortable and good in.
