A Sense of Style and Self Expression
Has the Revolution of Dress Hindered or Helped Society?

 

By Stephanie Trembath,
Life and Style Editor

he evolution of dress and style
is symbolic of the progression

of society and circumstances
that have shaped the history of our
world; climate, available materials,
and status used to dictate the type
of dress worn, however our current
culture has the ability to wear
whatever, whenever, wherever.
Despite the obvious succession of
humanity and our ability to create
clothing and styles that are artistic
forms of self expression, I sometimes
wonder if our freedom of choice is
absolutely necessary when it comes
to type of dress. While designers
and fashion followers are respectful
and innovative to this ever-growing
industry, society has allowed for
such informal attire that dress can be
degrading, and often offensive.

Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and
Romans wore clothing designed to
keep them cool in hot weather and
jewellery that signified wealth, while
the Anglo Saxons wore clothing
based on durability and camouflage.
Many civilizations wore clothing that
symbolized status and distinct class;
wealthier families kept family jewels,
more elaborate attire, and often wore
fake hair. Sari’s, bindi’s, and turbans
are a few examples of dress that are
symbolic of a specific culture or
represent the worship of a religion.
Up until the 16" Century clothes were
quite basic, and it wasn’t until the 18"
Century that the term “fashionable”
came to represent the following of
current trends.

After the First World War
clothing, a major advance in fashion
for women ensued; designer Coco
Chanel developed clothing that was
tomboyish, daring, and flippant.
Women ditched their corsets and long
gloves for more skin, and soon hour-
glassed figured gals reminiscent of
Marilyn Monroe in bikini’s were all
over the covers of Hustler and Play
Boy. However, it wasn’t until the
1960’s that a major fashion rebellion
occurred, changing the industry
forever.

In the 1960’s an “anything goes”
mantra was adopted; embracing
political, societal, and cultural

standards. The youth of the era
rebelled against anything traditional,
which included especially the desire
for freedom of speech and self
expression. Former styles, customs,
and habits were replaced with a “do-
your-own-thing” attitude, which was
highlighted through clothing and
dress. The primary canvas and center
stage for individualism is, of course,
the clothes one wears on a daily basis.

Style today has come to signify
the type of person one is and wishes to
represent. Wealth and status no longer
dictate the clothes you wear; I have a
very well dressed friend who is $8000
in debt due to her addiction to designer
labels. Particular accessories or type of
clothing no longer represent a religion
or specific culture; bindi’s are worn
as an off-beat accessory by celebrities
such as Madonna, Julia Roberts, and
Sienna Miller. Climate, practicality,
and circumstance no longer shape or
change what we wear; society today
wears socks under sandals when it’s
too cold and winter boots with shorts
and teeny tank tops in the summer.
Thanks to the fashion revolution that
began in the 1960’s, society is free to
wear and walk in whatever we please,
which is exactly where my problem
begins.

I understand the need for self
expression, but I do not understand
the need to express oneself on a tacky
neon t-shift in four letter words.
Businesses such as Bang On have
made it possible for the public to
bring in a plain shirt to decorate with
their own personal mantra. It’s cheap,
easy, and a form of individualism that
shows off your clever ability to design
a personal shirt proclaiming a witty
sentence.

I do not mind the shirts bearing
“Bride-to-Be” or even the ones
that read “Team Edward” when the
Twilight phenomenon was in full
swing. I could care less about the
nonsense sayings you see on the shirts
of a half dozen girls that are clearly
inside jokes, nor do I particularly
mind the shirts that teenage boys wear
bearing “FBI: Female Boob Inspector”
as they represent a fad that teenagers
tend to go through. I do, however, take
particular offence to the shirts that use
four letter words as a means of getting
a point across, as well as the shirts

 

Sienna Miller

 

that proclaim women as insignificant
unless they are sexualized.

Recently I saw a middle aged
man wearing one of these superfluous
shirts that proclaimed in large bold
letters:

“I Won’t Cuddle You, But I Will
Hold You Close While I F*** You”

Brilliant isn’t it? I mean, clearly
this guy is proving his intelligence by
purchasing this shirt, and furthering
his ability to succeed as an adult
by walking around in it. I wasn’t
exactly surprised at the saying, I was
however, extremely surprised at the
number of people who complimented
this man. I witnessed three members
of society, one of whom was a
woman; almost congratulate the man

on his fabulous purchase and daringly
good humour.

Really, is this what our culture
has come to? With such advances in
the economy of technology, politics,
education, and fashion, this is the
best we have to offer; neon shirts
with fuzzy block letters that claim
our independence, our ability to make
jokes at each other’s expense, and our
desire for primal satisfactions?

Although I have never worn a
corset I sometimes wish I could revert
back to the days when there were no
shirts bearing “I’m with Stoopid” or
“Us Blonds aren’t all Dumb” and “All
Men are Idiots and I married their
King”.