Fashion: Just Trends or a Language of its Own?
by Amal Khan (India)
Fashion is not just a trend, but in reality, fashion and linguistics are much more similar than you think. In this article, we will explore:
What fashion is, the intersection between fashion and linguistics, why fashion is important, and so much more!!
What is fashion?
Fashion is a way of communication through what we wear in our daily lives. It's not just about trends and styles — although they also play a huge role in fashion and its industry — but fashion is about identity altogether. It is used to portray the way we want everyone to see us. For example, for me the hijab isn't just a ‘scarf’, but rather a form of identity. It shows my religion. It shows that we support tranquility, and I believe in peace. It's a form of statement for me. Similar to this, every culture's traditional, religious outfits haven't just been created because it was ‘convenient’ but rather because they held a specific conversation which deserves to be shared.
The intersection between fashion and languages/linguistics:
Every language requires vowels, words, sentences, signs, and much more; just as every language has its own words, which are the fabrics, its signs, which are the trends, and its sentences, which are the outfits we wear. Fashion acts as a visual vocabulary that every human should be aware of how to communicate through this language. Every colour, every pattern, every cut has a meaning, just as a language has meaning about everything used in that particular language. Fashion can also sometimes be misunderstood, just like how many ‘outsiders’ can't understand certain slang and sentences.
Why fashion is important:
Fashion is very important in order to have individuality; if everyone wears what they want, it is more likely to be a form of happiness. Every person feels creative and happy when they wear what they want. As for religion, if they wear their religious outfit, they tend to feel much more spiritually close to their beliefs. The same as hijab—it acts as a reminder for those people. Fashion is also a form of expression. For example, every place has a certain dress code accordingly in order to understand exactly what you are doing, or where exactly you are going. For example, in order to go to a temple, you are required to wear certain clothes, and in order to go for an interview, you are required to wear professional formal wear. This way, anyone can understand the motive behind your clothes.
What if fashion didn't exist?
If fashion didn't exist, the world would've lost its colours. Everyone would wear similar clothes, no one would have individuality, and we couldn't really guess what is happening or where someone is going with their clothes. It will make everything much more complicated.
Fashion isn't just trends. Fashion has its own vocabulary, terms and conditions, its own unique way to speak and show the world that everyone has their own individuality because, in the end, every day starts with fashion and ends with fashion in your own room.
