THE THIRD WORLD FASHIONISTA

(what you are about to read is my  speech for our English  subject)

Introduction

The glitz and glamour of the runway, dizzying camera flashes of awe-struck photographers, countless photoshoots and ads. Glamorous much? Or a bit too numbing for swarms of average people like us? The year 2010 will bring a whole slew of new trends and quick dying fads for posh fashionistas and sub-culture “gods and goddess” alike. Those who thirst for vanity will find that their needs will be pacified by these but what about ordinary ones? Everybody likes clothes that bear fighting fit. We dream of clothes that electrify. We are yearning for clothes that make us aggressively stunning. Buying signatured clothing might be an answer however also a big dilemma especially that fashion changes every season, squeezing our wallets. Styles that are motivated by films, well-liked culture, charm, creativeness, and modest exquisiteness combined, are these things is what fashion really about?

Exposition

Image is everything in this ever changing world; a sad but mandatory rule that governs the judgement of others. What the eye conceives partly forms the impression of an individual. Thus, fashion, the current popular custom or style plays an integral part into what role you wish to play in society.

Fashion, is inevitably influenced by culture, take for example the Philippine fashion, due to various conquerors that took over the country, Philippines literally became a mishmash marriage of different cultures from around the world, thus explaining our penchant for “stateside” looks or clothing. Young teens wish to emulate the style that Hollywood stars sport. Names like Rebecca Romjin-Stamos, Paris Hilton and Bettie Page may ring a bell for fashionistas but average masses may be incognizant as to who these persons are.

Face it, to fit in, or in some cases, stand out, one is bound to incorporate the current styles or trends and be adaptive to the fast paced fad industry. I will reiterate that average looking people who wear mass produced clothing with no sense of culture whatsoever are less likely to leave a mark on people he/she meets, or in corporate aspects, the job he/she is applying for. It is a very good idea to invest on your sense of style so that society or some other subculture you would want to fit in will be more than willing to accommodate you.

Fashion is not limited to what is “in” right now; it is a recurring cycle of comeback trends. For example, the 80’s hairstyle went back to being fashionable last 2007. It is an ever changing sphere that combines elements from one trend to another to form a coalition that would widely be accepted as hip or fashionable.

*Presentation of visual aid*

Very clay like, is one way to define fashion, in a sense that it’s up to one person to mould him/herself to who he/she wants  to be known for, stereotypically, clothes define the person. Take a look at pic 1, *visual aid*, this is the typical, widespread “coño” look for males commonly found in malls or bars showing their boyish charms, if we see someone sporting this kind of look, it would give us the impression  that this guy likes RnB or likes parties and stuff like that. But the guy on the next photo begs to differ,*visual aid*. Behold the extreme Scandinavian Black metal look. One look at this guy and we are immediately flooded by images of satanic rites being performed by this guy, and that he is more prone to being stereotyped as to one who is likely to do immoral things. Now let us look at the guy in pic 3, *visual aid*, absolutely no trace of culture whatsoever, he does not spark interest, bland even.

Preposition

Fashion is, and will always be an inherent factor in everyday life; it helps in building someone’s character, personality and in some cases, boosts the ego of an individual. By carrying yourself in the most posh way possible, with the help of fashion guides and media blow up, you can boost confidence and feel good about yourself. A man or a woman of substance will surely dress in a way that reflects his/her sophistication and principles; it may not always be the case but, clothes, custom, and attitude, all under the bracket of fashion, define one’s tastes, preferences, and stature in the society he/she belongs.

A CEO of a multinational company would choose clothes that would coalesce with his high position, he would not opt for baggy pants or street clothes, and instead he is more likely to wear an expensive coat and tie to reflect his driven attitude and important role in the company. As you can see, by wearing the right clothes, we can evoke an image that would be perfectly acceptable and conforming to that of society’s norms, which increases everything from the social aspect (gaining friends by joining cliques with the same interest), physical aspect (a good choice of clothes would do wonders on your appearance) and mental aspect (boosts confidence).

There are many ways to be up to date in terms of fashion sense; the media like radio and television offers great knowledge about the hippest trends. Magazines also provide vivid descriptions of fashionable looks that would greatly aid in honing your own sense of style. But be warned, not everything we see on stars would automatically translate as being good for our image too. Factors such as body type, age, and culture are some of the things that we have to take into consideration when choosing our desired image. Nowadays, with so many trends and styles in rotation, it is easy to become a fashion victim, one who is blissfully unaware that instead of looking like a model, he/she turns out to be looking like a drag queen. We need to be analytical and observant as to what clothes and styles will fit us conforming to the image we try to follow.

Another aspect of fashion is that it is free flowing, unrestricted and cannot be bound by barriers. It can be wild, discreet, loud, sultry, or downright weird much like the human personality. In that sense, we can tweak our fashion sense and have it entirely depend on our personality! Harbouring deep and dark thoughts? Sport the gothic look and exude that dark aura that’s brewing in your ugly mind. Can’t get enough of parties? Wear that chic “gimmikera” style and feel like everyday’s a party! Or do you want make it to the top of the corporate world and have the relentless attitude to back it up? Add a flare to your style by combining the “corporate casual with a little bit of sultry accessories and swagger. The possibilities are endless!

Conclusion

While fashion as I’ve said earlier, greatly forms the impression others have on you, it is also important to nurture and nourish the inner personality you have. Clothes only help your image, but do not hide in these wardrobes; no matter how you dress you always have that innate character that only YOU possess. Shallow, pedantic and subjective opinions by people around you, according to the way you dress should not interfere with what you truly are inside. NEVER let your image topple you. Be wary that someday, the face, the image you try ever so hard to show to the world would turn out to be a mask with nothing beneath it.

There is nothing wrong with being fashionable, as long as it does not consume who you truly are, in context, someone who is branded as a fashion model almost always, is associated with being an airhead. That NOT being the case for some models that actually have higher IQs than rocket scientists!

Choose which styles suit you and never let the mainstream dictate what you should or should not wear. If you are comfortable sporting that 80’-shoulder-pad-amazingly-spray-netted-grease-esque look, then by all means wear it. As long as you feel good about it (of course regardless of what people might think of you). Take time to develop your own tastes and preferences and do not buy things because Marian Rivera or John Lloyd Cruz wears them.

And more importantly, be yourself, don’t subject yourself to stereotypes, you very well know that you’re so much more than what the clothes, the hairstyle, and the attitude might suggest. You are already unique in your own way so don’t bother with over the top trends that make you Nina Ricci(fashion designer) or Angelina Jolie’s perfect clone, REMEMBER: try hard to be different, and you end up like everyone else.

You should not let the media, the society, and other dictatorial forces lure you to who you are really not, a good attitude is by far, better than a Louis Vuitton purse or a Burberry bag. Just carry yourself the best way possible and people are most likely to see you shine than wearing a lady gaga inspired wardrobe, love yourself, love your style and, above everything else, be comfortable with the greatest fashion accessory you have, your own skin.

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~ by zheraariza on April 15, 2010.