Fashion is the dominant style within a culture at a given time. This is reflected in the clothing that people wear and the accessories they use. Fashion trends change frequently and fads come and go quickly. There are also clothes that are considered classics, such as the little black dress or Converse sneakers.
Human beings yearn for change and new styles. This desire is adequately fulfilled by fashion. Fashion also promotes social changes by changing from time to time. It respects traditions and customs but encourages them to modify or amend those which have lost relevancy.
As a result of the industrialization of fashion and the availability of a wide variety of fabrics, it became possible to manufacture fashionable garments in greater quantities than ever before. Clothes production was revolutionized between the First and Second World Wars, when clothing rationing allowed for the development of mass manufacturing techniques. It was only after the war that designer fashions came into being and the rise of department stores allowed fashion to become popular.
The most common way in which writers use fashion in their stories is to show the character’s personality through his or her wardrobe. The color, style, and even fabric of a clothing item can reveal information about the character’s attitude or beliefs. For example, a character might wear light blue jeans and a white shirt to indicate he or she is an optimist. This outfit might also suggest that the character is a “people person” who enjoys being around others.
A writer can also use clothing to demonstrate a character’s cultural background or social class. One theory of fashion is the trickle-down theory, which states that individuals in higher socioeconomic status set the trends that people of lower classes then follow. This is often referred to as high/low fashion.
Another way to utilize fashion in your stories is to use it to reveal a character’s inner conflict. For example, a character might be wearing an outfit that is not appropriate for the situation at hand, such as a swimsuit in a business meeting. This might suggest the character is feeling conflicted, or it might indicate that he or she is trying to hide a secret.
Clothing is an incredibly useful tool for characterization. When used wisely, it can add a lot of depth to your story and help readers connect with your characters. To develop your skills in using this technique, try looking at the clothes people wear around you or browsing the internet for images of other people. Pick a few of these people and spend fifteen minutes describing their clothing choices. This is a good practice to do before you sit down to write. It will make it easier to describe the clothes of your characters in a natural and convincing manner. It will also help you get a feel for how the latest trends might play out in your particular setting. You can then incorporate those ideas into your own writing.