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”.