Fashion and Culture

What is the use of fashion? Fashion is the style of human behaviour, popular during usually short period of time. If during a certain period, people begin to put on bell-bottom trousers, wear spectacles with large, disc like glasses,or keep their hats tilted, they are doing so because it is the current craze.

Fashions originate in man's age-old wish to look distinct and attractive. Naturally, they are more popular with women. It is said that the chameleon does not change its colour as quickly as a woman wears out a new fashion, but men too, can't plead innocence.

Let us look at the popularity of fashion from another point of view. They are popular with the youth, because in young people the urge of showing themselves off is the strongest. Children are too small to be aware of it, while the aged are too old to pay any serious thought to it. The young, on the other hand, find life enjoyable and want to enjoy it more by adding to its colourfulness. They adopt all sorts of devices to look attractive.

Latest fashions are popular in big cities rather than small towns and villages. The reason is that most fashions are luxury. People of simple and poor backgrounds can't afford to indulge in such luxuries. On the other hand, the rich, clever and advanced city-people can afford to follow fashion which have a glamour of their own.

Fashion can pertain to any aspect of human behaviour. But the most popular fashions are those in dress. Men's trousers and shirts change in size and shape every six months. Women's clothes change in design in every season or so. It is the west which is the home of fashion. In the east, although they have their own traditions and cultures, prefer to copy and follow the western fashion. Fashions reflect the character of a nation. Western fashions are a clear index of the western mode of thinking and feelings seen. Similarly fashions prevailing amongst various races or tribes gives a clear idea of their respective way of living.

Fashion creates a colourful variety in life and adds to the cultural wealth of a country.