Fashion has become an integral part of human society, playing a variety of roles in influencing and being influenced by it. From the farmer wearing skin-tight jeans in rural areas to the explosion of urban fashion on social media, fashion has always been about expressing one's personality and reflecting on history. It can have both positive and negative effects on society, from celebrating who we are to being a form of punishment. The 1000 Coats project by artist Whitney McVeigh is a great example of how fashion can build relationships.
Through workshops that teach women how to sew, it encourages them to work together as part of a community and form new connections. Fashion has the power to change and shape lives through its personal connection with all of us. Fashion influencers initiate or popularize trends that are then replicated by the working class and eventually become obsolete until the upper class creates the next style. Taking all factors affecting society into account, fashion can be seen as an accurate mirror of society.
Its success lies in how society interprets and judges the trend. Genderless fashion is growing in popularity and representation and respect for the community are increasing; fashion could not fail to reflect this. However, fashion is also planted in the minds of innocent masses through media, marketing and advertising. It's worth knowing where fashion trends come from to stay ahead of future trends. Fashion isn't the reason why society changes but it definitely helps promote change in a visible way.
Clothes are like windows into certain points in time, so it's important to understand how fashion reflects society.
