Women’s fashion has come a long way from lengthy hemlines and pantsuits, to short shorts and rompers. Fashion in today’s society can be perceived in many different ways, but the most common definition is the way an individual presents themselves through their choice of clothing attire. Women of all shapes, ages, and sizes can use fashion as a way to express their true personality through their choice of clothes and accessories. How you choose to present yourself is an expression of your personality and some believe the most important thing is what feels good to you.
However, lately fashion has been all about labels, whether it is designer fashion or the off brands. With designer fashion, the price is a significant element and so is the name that goes with the price. Some women will buy an article of clothing at an outrageous price simply because it has the logo of a specific designer displayed all over it. Most people who wear these types of clothes have a great deal of money and want others to know, so they wear clothes with visible labels that basically display prices on the clothing. This then leads others to associate these women with only the designer apparel they are wearing. In The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin Norell wrote, “Every woman was identified by who designed her dress, not by how she looked.” Being identified by only the brand one is wearing is not ideal in any way.
On the other hand, some people do not share this opinion of “bragging” about the amount of money spent on clothing. If you’re going to display the brand, why not display your size as well? This goes for not only the women who wear designer, but also women wearing off brands. Today, even the off brands have logos on their clothes, so women who wear these clothes as well are showing off the amount of money spent on the outfit. This is ridiculous. What happened to buying clothes because they were pretty? Society has a tendency to corrupt the minds of women into thinking that what defines them are the clothes on their backs.
Women should take a lesson from Iris Apfel, a women’s trendsetter, who does what she likes and wears what she likes. She finds her fashion in flea markets and on the racks of couture designers. Apfel stated, “I don’t go out of my way to be a rebel or offend. I’ve always figured, I hope you like it, and if you don’t, that’s your problem.” She has the right attitude towards labels and fashion in general. Women just need to buy the clothes they feel will express their personal style and not even worry about the label of the article of clothing.
The effect labels have on women and fashion is crazy. If they would leave their label on the inside, women would not have to worry about their economic status being advertised for everyone else to see. Society needs to allow women to be themselves and buy clothes that fit their personality, body style, and lifestyle.
