The Role of Fashion in the Evolution of Self
Fashion, a form of nonverbal communication, allows us to express our identity to the world. As a child, my fashion sense was heavily influenced by my mother, whom I revered as my hero and role model. When I was home sick and couldn’t attend school, I would delight in playing dress-up in her heels and pearls. Her makeup, perfume, and skincare products fascinated me, especially her nightly routine. Like most daughters, I saw my mom as the epitome of feminine beauty and fashion.
As a child, my mom and I would often go shopping for bolts of fabric, which she would then have our family friend, a seamstress, turn into matching outfits for us. Looking back, it’s truly remarkable to have pictures of us in those matching outfits. Some of these pictures are still displayed at my house today, a testament to how much I cherished those moments.
However, as a child, I remember a day when I woke up feeling a strong desire to break free from my mother’s fashion choices. I wanted to choose my own clothes and be my own person, no longer wanting to be her miniature version. When I broached the subject with my mom, I was met with hurt and disappointment in her face. She was taken aback by my feelings about her wardrobe choices for me.
Eventually, she allowed me to buy the clothes I wanted to wear to fit in with my friends at school. During the 90s, popular fashion included Guess jeans, plaid shirts, and Vans sneakers.. I was thrilled to finally “fit in” and avoid standing out. At that age, being accepted and liked by my peers was everything to me.
Only with time and hard-earned wisdom do I realize that in both cases, I was dressing for others’ love and approval rather than expressing my true self. I didn’t know myself yet, so I blended in with the crowd to avoid drawing undue attention.
As I matured and gained a better understanding of myself, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that my style is very feminine and floral. Growing up in a household with older brothers, I often identified as a “Tomboy” to fit in with them. While fashion choices can have various meanings for different people, they serve as cues about who we are, whether explicitly or implicitly.
Fashion is a dynamic aspect of self-expression that evolves with the times. It allows us to communicate our changing identities in relation to our environment, whether for work, travel, social gatherings, or significant life events. The constant evolution of our style enables greater self-expression and the opportunity to embrace new aspects of ourselves as individuals.
Fashion goes beyond purses and clothing; it’s a means of expressing our identity, values, and worldview. Through our choices, we can communicate our feelings, culture, ideas, and creativity without uttering a single word. Trends change, and so do individual tastes, both of which have contributed to fashion’s ongoing development. But through fashion, we are all constantly in the process of self-discovery, adapting to change, and continually exploring our true selves. Fashion can help us reconnect with our cultural roots, develop our individuality, and build confidence through our clothing choices. It continues to play a pivotal role in shaping our identities and connecting us to the world around us. Fashion encourages us to embrace our uniqueness while fostering connections with the world we inhabit.
Lady Astrid is an independent contributing writer to RETRO//VRS. The views and opinions expressed in Notes From a Founding Collector are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of RETRO//VRS.
