Fashion’s effect on society can transcend clothes and be a rooted dynamism in character. Once said so succinctly by one of the icons of the industry, Coco Chanel: “Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street; fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” And every human being, since the time they are born into this world until they grow old, influences fashion and is changed by it one way or another. It is something timeless, intertwined in the very fiber of human history. Fiorani said, “Fashion is the mold of the contemporary in its ability to join in the dynamics between the individual and society.”
We experience fashion every day, and its influence extends into most facets of life the history alone reflects this ever-changing concept. Not to mention reshaping one country or even the world’s economy, relocating politics, expressing art, or simply just changing people’s lives. It is among the biggest forces both influenced by society and influencing it.
It has always been present and will be present for as long as human race exists. Trends are really what the fashion world go round- a new trend catches on, designers make their own versions, the public buys these products, the trend fades and a new trend emerges. Trends has a large broad spectrum which includes various fields such as; clothing, footwear, accessories, makeup, body piercing, tattooing, plastic surgeries, Interior Design or furniture. Apparel sector India is estimated to grow to $220 billion by 2020 and therefore Apparel trends are more famous than any other. We can see many types of new trends in apparels. Some example of trends:- Retro style Bell Bottoms, Bobby print, Chiffon sarees, Anarkali’s suits, Mumtaz saree, velvet garments, skinny pants and so on.
The Society is a community of people living in a country or region and having shared customs, laws and organization. In our society there are various classes and they having their different way of dressing and lifestyle. We need to keep in consideration every class of people while speaking about society. The garment we wear depicts our personality. There are positive as well as negative impacts on our society. The new innovations and talent of our new generation and designers is worth complimenting. They have given new name to the Indian trends internationally.
Objective of the Study Fashion’s effect on society
- Study the new fashion trends in India.
- Examining the emerging trends in apparel sector in India.
- Understanding the apparel trends of ancient India.
- Analyzing the challenges faced by the society due to fashion trends and its impact in India.
- To think on the degree of influence on later generation due to coming up fashion trends in India.
Factors That Influence Fashion and Set the Trends
Nothing is constant except for change! Fashion is nothing but a constantly changing trend. This term is associated with clothes and accessories majority of the times. People relate fashion to what they wear. Though fashion is a wider concept, it has narrowed down to fabric, apparel, and accessories in modern times.
The following factors affects / influences the Trends
- Social norm
- Fashion education
- Mass media
- Peer groups
- Social criticism
- Environment
- Customs, traditions
- Religion
- Work
- Leisure activities
- Wealth or change in income
- Inspiration by friends
- Changing trends and Values
- Influence by family members
- Education
- Age
However, there is limited literature on fashion trends of India and little emphasis is placed on the impacts of these trends on society on the above parameters. Parul Bhatnagar (2012) professed in her book traditional Indian costumes and textiles that, it is “Costume” which establishes his/ her individual identity in society and which also links up with social hierarchy. According to Anamika Pathak (2008) Indian costume is outcome of nearly four thousand years of history wrought with significant political, economic, social and cultural upheavals and Fashion’s effect on society.
The costumes which form an integral part of any historical dominant culture in India also underwent several crucial transformations. According to Usha Kulshreastha and Radha Kashyap, Clothes help to make us self- confident,jolly, free, or they make us self-conscious, shy, sensitive and restrained. They determine how much we go into society, the places we go to, exercise we take. Sharon Lee Tate in book Inside Fashion Design says that inevitably, constant exposure to different cultures and the way people interpret fashions around the world influences fashion trends.
Evolution of Fashion: A Journey Through Time and Trends
The Indian village bears little resemblance to its predecessor of about six thousand years ago. For centuries, Indian Costumes and Textiles have been admired for their great aesthetics and cultural values. Clothes are natural to human and their proper decoration on his unclothed body is not ugly, on the contrary it is beautiful and pleasing. Costumes are used not only to cover the body and embellish it; they also constitute a significant non-verbal medium of communication that serves to establish the cultural identity of a person’s community or country of origin at any given historical period. They help understand fashion trends prevalent during historical time-frame. It has been observed that fashion trends usually veer towards new direction every ten to twenty years.
Indian Costumes: From Ancient Times to the Beginning of the Historical Period
History testifies that man has throughout been investigating and creating for their need fulfillment. It is, therefore that his essential love of nature has been manifest directly or indirectly in all such creation. His needs, his sociogeographical environment, his economic status are fully represented therein. Particularly, among the costumes show the utmost influence of the social life, the seasons and his field of work. The historical continuity of fashion can be a guide in the prediction of fashion trends (Sproles, 1981). Three main sources – archeological evidence, literary references and actual costumes- furnish crucial leads in the reconstruction of the history of Indian costumes. The archeological history of Indian textiles starts from the Indus Civilization (4000 BC).followed by Budha period ,The Maurya and Sunga Periods (c. 324-72 BC) , The Satvahan Period (c. 200BC-AD 250) , The Kushan Period (c. 130BC-AD 185), The Gupta Period (c. AD 4th-5th revolution, Indians tried to change the attires and follow up the Britishers. “The process of imitation and adaptation are central to our understanding of creativity. Human cultures evolve through a continuous exchange of ideas, beliefs, habits and forms. Dressing habits in particular constitute a fertile plain in which this exchange takes place.” (Artemis Yagou: 2009). Though trends came but the rise of a “westernized” society in India was a result of the mighty British taking over the reins of the country.
Today’s Trend: Modern Fashion and Contemporary Styles
Versatile Indian clothing styles reflects the faces of diversity in India. Apparels are undergoing astounding changes in this globalized era. Fashion often reflects the society. Important personalities in history have also had an impact on fashion, but no matter how competitive and innovative the Fashion industry is, it actually has to follow what is called the “Fashion Cycle”, which has no specific measurable time period. Some styles sustain for longer period of time. Some die out soon, and some styles come back years after they were declined. So we can say that fashion changes with time and has always been evolving to fit the taste, lifestyle and demands of society.
Every new day comes with a new trend. Today every next person has their own different and unique choice of dressing, some loves to dress in more peppy and trendy way so some love the casual sense, the other one way is skater or shaggy while the few goes gothic and baggy clothing. Still we get population today who likes Indian costume and dresses. My main focus is on the newer generation.Exotic designs developed by designers have created a great impact on uplifting Indian clothing trend in world. These designs have increased the acceptability of Indian clothing in the international textile market.
Today INDOWESTERN FUSION which gives a contemporary look is highly demanded garments across the world. As time goes, Indian clothing trend continues as an evolving subject. Smart textiles are heading their way when we talk about the recent trends and future of clothing. Smart textiles are the fabrics that have been developed with the technologies that provide added value to the wearer. From flying dresses,self illuminating textiles to the dresses which can protect elderly from fractures and also with antiageing properties. Some of the trends in apparels are: ripped denims, off-shoulder one pieces, bra tops, Neon funky T-shirt, women colorful coats, formal skirts, trousers, floral pants, jumpsuits, kaftan/poncho shirt, tunics, LBD, shrugs, harem pants, palazzo etc. “Leggings seen as a fashion forward statement in the 80s is now a universal trend that has become mainstream fashion and this versatile fashions are the fashion world’s latest obsession (Apparel Online, 2011).
How Fashion Shapes Culture and Social Dynamics Of Society
We can argue whether or not the fashion trends has more of a positive or negative effect on people of today, regardless we can agree that the apparel industry has grown to become very popular and influential. Society comprises of the population including infants, small kids, teens, adults, working population, and retired people. There are various categories including different level of population and their mindsets, so the influence or impact of the trends will differ from category to category, group to group, and individual to individual .
The age when the impact of anything is at peak is between 10-24 because at this age we don’t develop to use our mind and differentiate between what is actually good and bad. According to a research more than half 55% of the urban youth in India keeps a close track of latest trends of lifestyle, clothing etc. As there are two sides of coin, in the same way there can be positive as well as negative impact of fashion trends on society. Some impacts are given below:
POSITIVE IMPACT of Fashion’s effect on society:
- New ideas, designs and trendy look in invented.
- The apparel industry gives designers a chance to express their talent.
- There are unending opportunities in the Apparel sector. The possibilities are truly endless.
- The new fashion comes and gives a branded modern look to any ordinary man.
- People stay fashionable and stylish to attract the opposite sex to get noticed by someone they like. With the help of fashion, you can look the part and get acknowledged.
- The world is huge, filled with many diversities and cultures. Fashion and apparel are like one language that everyone can understand. It connects people internationally because fashion travels from one city to the next.
- Fashion is the ultimate way to express oneself. One of the first impression people have of you is from your appearance.
NEGATIVE IMPACT:
- Bending generation towards western culture.
- Forgetting Indian culture and ethnics.
- Showing more interest in Hollywood fashion and trends than in our own country.
- Today’s new generation prefer western outfits to traditional.
- Many people not only follow the latest trends and styles but also believe and emulate the images of sticky skinny that are projected by the fashion industry.
- Young girls do achieve such zero figure images and then lead to dangerous eating disorders, mental health issues, Anorexia, bogy mutilation and even suicides.
- The attractive ads of the apparels and new trends telling what’s hot and what’s not engulfs the teens.
- The use of thin and unhealthy models for apparel shows.
- The ways that today’s teenagers and young adults are wearing the trends of the 1960’s (my parents’ decade) are more scandalous and revealing.
- The global scenario in the economic perspective is yet another influence that has altered Indian Fashion. The percent share of consumption Apparels in this year, 2015 will be 100% = US $ 40 bn. This surely indicates the importance and demand and use of apparels and so to ensure the future, we need to take so major and frequent steps.
The Evolving Role of Fashion & Its Impact on Future
Indian clothing style have conquered fashion textile across the globe but the Indian themselves are unaware of the treasure they have gained. Indian fashion has transformed through years, harnessing both the traditional and cosmopolitan look. The western influence is so strong on Indian culture that it has paved the way for a difference in style. The future of fashion will be very different from its past. Globalization, and the accessibility of cultures, and the interconnectedness of people over the internet and through mass media will likely force a convergence of fashion trends in architecture, music, online presence, and clothes.
Conclusion:
The main aim was just to understand how the apparel trend can impact us. The noticeable changes in trends were seen from centuries but still our ancestors kept the Indian treasure alive even after the strong influence of Britishers. But now the new fashion trends and the influence of western culture are more effective, which is not only changing the clothing’s but also the minds of generations. While Indian youth was adopting western trends, the West was getting highly influenced by Indian culture and practices. Today’s society wants to get modern but that doesn’t mean you go western. Indian fashion today is about change, price, brand, confidence and position. All we can conclude is that it finally depends on you. The beauty of you lies in yourself and not in the trends. So, you decide? You want to be influenced by other trends or create your own trend and influence others.