Whats "fashion"

You must be living in Brooklyn…

I think we can welcome our newest troll.

proudbyer, to answer your first question, I think it’s mostly a psychological attraction coupled with intense peer pressure. In regard to your second question, it is unfortunate, but some people like to judge and draw possibly false conclusions simply from another’s outward appearance.

BTGuy, in regard to your questions: Yes, a large portion of a design’s success is due to its intrinsic appeal, but a large chunk of it is from marketing. People will always be drawn to a product that is marketed well, and the more people drawn to it, the more “fashionable” it becomes, until it reaches a state of being considered “common”. At that point, it may no longer be considered fashionable, because fashion goes hand in hand with new, fresh, and unique.

Regarding cars, the newest models seem to have a “modern” edge over the older models, but usually, in reality, they don’t. That can also be attributed to marketing schemes. There isn’t that much that makes 2012 model any more “modern” than a 2010 or 2011 model, on the outside. Although, modernity is a term that changes meaning based on the individual. Take a look at the first “streamlined” cars of the 1930’s. Those were definitely sleeker than anything seen before, and possibly look more “modern” than cars even of today. So what is it that makes today’s cars seem so modern? Marketing. Advertisements. Things that make the consumer have a psychological change.

Fashion, in general, goes in cycles. Something is brought to the market, becomes fashionable, after a while it becomes old, and something “new” replaces it. But that which is now “old” may come back into fashion a few years down the road. Many of today’s fashionable products and cars are styled after items of the 1960’s and 70’s. And in 30 years, it is possible that things that were “cool” in the 90’s would be considered “cool” again. It is all due to the public’s reaction of the marketing. The main principle designers need to keep in mind is that people like new and unique things, but won’t jump into anything TOO outrageous. So there’s a balance required. This is called the MAYA principle (Most Advanced Yet Acceptable).

Fashion for a guy at least is the “shpitz”-pointy shoes, thick big black glasses, tight shirt and pants, hair spiked up in front, black hat put on the right way. Thats Yeshivish fashion.

Interesting point,I agree with you; “you hit the hammer on the nail”.

The real problem with being so “into” fashion is that so many women get too “into” it in the sense that it takes over their lives, how? They forget to treat other women who might not dress how THEY CONSIDER “GOOD” with proper middos and then they do things like “looking people up and down”.

Many women end up letting the fashion take over their lives that gasmius becomes more of a priority for them than ruchnius in that they are focusing on how other women are dressing… and then forget that everyone has feelings and wants to feel comfortable which is not what happens when women are “looked up and down”.

devrachel, you seem to like to dress well and that is fine, but the concern is when women who like to dress fashionably, “look down” at other women who are not dressing as fashionably.

You said you like to dress to look “good”. Well, what is good to one woman is different to another. Many times I have met woman who only talk about what they will wear and how __ is coming “in style”; I feel that those women are so shallow because they act like that is their only concern while I want to spend more time focusing on life’s challenges and how to grow in our faith towards hashem with our challenges.

Unfortunately, there is not as much pressure in “dressing fashionably” by the goyim that I work with. Yes, you could look good by finding good deals but buying clothes is still expensive. I just do not understand how many families who say they can’t pay tuition are then spending a lot of money on clothes for the “woman of the house” just so that she could wear the “latest style” in other words be dressed “fashionably”.

OP-Some people will look u up and down, some will even comment. However, nobody and no force in existance has the power over how you think of urself.

Ultimately, that’s all that matters, because how u think of urself is how you act and is who you become.

Just a thought about fashion: I don’t think it’s about how many clothes you own, I think it’s how much TIME you spend on shopping, putting together outfits, keeping up with the latest trends that determine how invested you are in your fashion.

I don’t see the point in “protesting” fashion obsession. Some people are just too shallow to realize the absurdity of their behavior. It’s not your job to change them. You can dress just as well as they do, the point is not to put too much time and energy into it, and not to judge those who don’t care as much, or simply don’t have a fashion sense.

Haha, thanks BTGuy! I can really go on and on about this. (I’m studying industrial design.)

yiddeshemeidle, I understand your point, but fashion goes in cycles. So it’s not completely accurate to really say that in 20 years, it will be worse than it is now, because it’s entirely possible that in 20 years, fashion will be the way it was in the 1950’s; or any era, for that matter.

Dows anyone know which rav it was? I feel bad not saying?

Thanks, BTGuy. I’m definitely working hard, but it’s something I enjoy, so that makes it all worth it.