Socratic Question #4
In the novel The Paris Wife, after Hadley noticed the majority of women had a short hairstyle, she herself got one as well. This shows that even back in the 1920’s at any age, people wanted to feel like they fit in with the crowd. Why do you believe people want to follow the trends?
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Monica's Blog 
Following the latest trends has been part of the history of fashion for decades. I personally believe it is a way for people to fit in with society and to feel like they belong. It’s a self-concept mechanism that boosts one’s self-esteem, the way they portray themselves, and the way they portray others. Most trends have been set by famous celebrities, who people drool over. Those who look up to celebrity’s see them as the “people to be”, and by dressing in the same clothes, wearing the same shoes or eating the same food, people can feel better about themselves. But that’s what life’s about right? Feeling good about yourself and being happy, even if it requires you to copy what all the top-models are doing. Fitting in with the latest trend is actually extremely important for many people, because without it they can feel shunned and isolated from society, which results in unhappiness. Although following trends is not at the top of my to-do list, I do feel it is a big aspect of the lives of many different types of people in today’s modern society.
I believe that there are two types of trend followers: those you do it on purpose and those who do it subconsciously. People who try to follow trends do this to fit into a social comfort zone in order to ensure the safety of acceptance. These people are usually self-conscious and scared of showing who they really are. They are afraid that they won’t be accepted if they don’t act/buy/look like everyone else. On the other hand, people often follow trends without really thinking about it. For example, stores sell things that are trending and therefore people are forced to buy something that is trendy (unless they purposely try to be different). Secondly, people are influenced by the things we see every day and there is nothing wrong with this. Humans are codependent by nature. It all depends on the extreme that the individual takes it to. I don’t see myself as a trend follower; I tend to just buy things that I like. But, like most people I own a lot of things that were popular at the time because it was advertised or I saw people with it and I just wanted it. I wasn’t thinking that I have to keep up with the current trends to be popular or anything. But I, like most people, are subconsciously influenced by the media and my peers.
I agree with the fact that the stores follow the trends, so if you go there often enough, you will also follow the trends by default. I think that it is OK to follow the general fashion trends in order not to stick out and to be seen as a part of the culture. (so you wouldn’t wear a kilt or your grandmother’s dress to school unless you were looking for attention) These people can’t be labelled as “scared of showing who they really are”. A shy person wouldn’t dress like Lady Gaga because they are afraid people will know they are shy. They would wear something that blends in. People who like to be seen and want to have fun create a style all their own and even create trends. This is OK too. I think we are conditioned too much to judge people by what they are wearing – although people are much more relaxed about this kind of thing – you can get away with wearing a vast array of styles now.
For hundreds of years people have wanted to find their place into society and fit in comfortably. Many people consider they look and how they dress to be one of the most important parts of leaving the house and going out. I believe this to be true; whether you’re going to get groceries or going to an important job interview, what you wear reflects on how people view you. While it is important to dress well, this can prove to be a problem for a lot of people. Many people feel fenced in by society and what they are expected to wear. A lot of people just want to blend in and not be noticed while others want to be looked at by all when they wear the newest, craziest fashion. Whether you like it or not nowadays you cannot go into a store without seeing or even purchasing whatever is the new style. Personally, I like to stick to black clothes and more subdued colours, but I can definitely see how the shape and style of clothing over time has changed. I can remember wanting flared, acid wash jeans with stars down the legs when I was in grade 5 – absolutely terrible, I know – but that was what my friends were wearing at the time as well. A lot of people may not notice it but they want what everyone else does and if that is acid wash jeans with stars, then so be it. Now that I am older I definitely dress the way I want to and not like all the skinny models wearing bright pink jeggings. Everyone should dress in what they are comfortable wearing, but sadly even if it is uncomfortable its become a trend for a reason: everyone wears it. Fashion trends have been here since clothes were and I do not expect to see them disappear. Eventually we will all look back and ask: what was I thinking when I chose that outfit?! But, hey, that was in style!
– Rachel McConnell