francene--blog. Year 2013
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July 26th

7/26/2013

 
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Why do people follow fashion? I believe they mainly dress or act a certain way to fit in with their peers, or perhaps gain status by jumping ahead. For instance, in the 70's, every woman wore her skirt above the knee—even the mature woman. As a teenager, I loved to read magazines about the latest trend and always stayed one jump ahead. Madness! This could have been prompted by mankind's long fashion history.

Fashion is a general term for a popular style or practice, especially in clothing, footwear, accessories, makeup, body piercing, textile creations or furniture. Fashion refers to a distinctive trend in the way a person dresses, as well as to prevailing styles in behavior.

Early Western travelers to Persia, Turkey, India, or China frequently remarked on the absence of changes in fashion.

Meanwhile, observers from these other cultures comment on the unseemly pace of Western fashion, which many felt suggested an instability and lack of order in Western culture.

The Japanese Shogun's secretary boasted to a Spanish visitor in 1609 that Japanese clothing had not changed in over a thousand years. However in Ming China, for example, there is considerable evidence for rapidly changing fashions in Chinese clothing. Changes in costume often took place at times of economic or social change (such as in ancient Rome and the medieval Caliphate), but then a long period without major changes followed.


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Historians mark the beginnings European rapid change in clothing styles to the middle of the 14th century. The most dramatic was a sudden drastic shortening and tightening of the male over-garment, from calf-length to barely covering the buttocks, sometimes accompanied with stuffing on the chest to look bigger. This created the distinctive Western male outline of a tailored top worn over leggings or trousers. Ten 16th century portraits of German or Italian gentlemen may show ten entirely different hats.

Though colors and patterns of textiles changed from year to year, the cut of a gentleman's coat and the length of his waistcoat, or the pattern to which a lady's dress was cut changed more slowly. Men's fashions largely derived from military models.

The pace of change picked up in the 1780s with the increased publication of French engravings that showed the latest Paris styles.

The history of fashion design is normally taken to date from 1858. Tailors and dressmakers were no doubt responsible for many innovations before, and the textile industry led many trends.


Picturewww.news.com.au
Recently, fashion has grown to include face or body reconstruction. Not content to alter their appearance with clothing, women change their faces. It seems women around the world will go to any length to alter their appearance in the name of beauty.

Global cosmetic trends:

Afghanistan Afghan women want big eyes like their Bollywood idols. Eyelid lifts are the most popular.

China Some women go through painful surgery to lengthen their legs to gain height—a sign of status.

India After a trend announcement, women take dangerous steroid-based pills to get fatter.

Iran Smaller, upturned noses are popular. Women have surgery as a sign of social status.

Jamaica To achieve a big bum, young women take high-fat 'chicken' pills to help them gain weight.

Japan Dermal fillers are highly sought-after to enlarge noses and chins.

Thailand White skin is considered rich, by showing lack of work outdoors. Skin-lightening creams are in.

Is fashion mad? You be the judge.



Aida Ingram link
7/25/2013 08:34:15 pm

Wow this is quite a history lesson. It is sad what we do in the name of fashion....
Thank you for sharing this article with us..

Francene Stanley link
7/26/2013 03:10:45 am

Some would call following fashion trends madness.

maureen wielansky link
7/25/2013 08:39:05 pm

Fantastic post! I often wonder what the women of the 19th century would think the woman of the 21st century. Something we can always count on is that fashion tastes do change. Thanks so much

Francene Stanley link
7/26/2013 03:11:50 am

Good point, Maureen. And what will future women think of our trends right now?

Alana link
7/26/2013 08:47:23 am

The breadth of topics you write on is amazing. I've always been one of the least fashion-tracking people you could ever meet. But, as I age, an amazing thing is happening. I'm beginning to care! And guess what I have found in American stores. Little out there in our major department stores is suitable for a 60 year old woman! Am I the only person who thinks that?

KLee Banks link
7/26/2013 11:28:14 am

Hi Francene! I finally got a chance to stop by. What a fascinating history - but I agree, it is a bit mad! I've been some what in tune with fashion in the past, when I used to do a lot of sewing (making just about anything from baby's clothing to wedding gowns) - but these days I really don't pay much attention, other than to notice really bizarre clothing styles!

Like Alana mentioned, however, as a currently overweight 55 y.o. woman - "style" is sadly lacking in most department store clothing! I've been buying most of my clothing for awhile now from Woman Within and Roaman's, among others that actually make stylish clothing for "mature" figures! ;-)


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    Author

    Francene Stanley, author of many published novels. If you like my writing, why not consider purchasing one of my books? You'll see them on the sidebar below.
    Born in Australia, I moved to Britain half way through my long life.

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