PIC>:www.gogencollection.com/ sottoe.htm
The Psychology of Fashion
" Fashion has long been an important part of society - dating at least as far back as the 1600s - and we have looked to celebrities and world leaders for trends. According to a post on Fashion-era.com, French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte had an immense effect on fashion by halting the import of English textiles and reviving the Valenciennes lace industry. The result was the reemergence of the chemisette: a lacey, sleeveless, side-opened blouse which was worn under low-neckline gowns. "
REF>:http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/973362/the_psychology_of_fashion.html?page=4&cat=9
Why Clothes Make Us Feel Good
There are many reasons why clothes make us feel good about ourselves, according to Gregg Andrews, Fashion Director for Nordstrom. "When you look good, you feel good. It's a boost to your confidence," says Andrews. "Clothing can be your calling card, and the way you dress can announce who you are or who you want to be - 'I'm successful' or 'I'm sexy' or 'I'm sophisticated' or 'I'm fun'. You can alter people's perception of you just by the way you dress." Clothing is much more than a cover for our bodies; it says who we are, defines our status and gives us an identity.
Making Fashion Work For You
If you don't want to look like a page out of Elle, there are some simple strategies you can employ. "Fashion trends begin on the designer runway and then trickle down to more understated interpretations," says Andrews. "Often, designers will make very bold trend statements to express their creative vision and influence the direction of fashion. These runway trends are interpreted by manufacturers to express the essence of the trend while still being fashionable and wearable." Who would actually wear some of that runway stuff anyway? Can you say "over the top"?
Fashion Victim
You've seen her: that woman who dresses exactly like Paris Hilton. While she thinks she looks hot, in reality she looks rather ridiculous. Protecting yourself from becoming a fashion victim is easy, according to Andrews. "Avoid too many trends in one outfit; the look can be overbearing and contrived. Every season different themes inspire the trends. Look for influences of the theme and avoid literal interpretations that can look like a costume. Be true to yourself - rely on your personal style to help you determine what works for your body and your life."
Trendy vs. Fashionable
Trends come and go; what's in one season may very well be out the next. And not every trend is for every person on earth. If you feel uncomfortable with the latest trend, for God's sake don't try and pull it off, as your unease will show. "Make the trend work for you. Most people can find a version of a trend that will match their personal style," explains Andrews. "A knowledgeable salesperson can help you create an updated look without putting your personal style at risk. Accessories are an easy way to incorporate a trend into your wardrobe - try a handbag or belt in the season's hottest color to keep your look current."
Shoes, Shoes, Shoes
If you're a woman over the age of 18, you probably have a closet full of shoes. Why? Why do you have the obsessive need to buy more shoes? The answer to this question - which has plagued men who sit in shoe departments for hours while their wives or girlfriends try on endless pairs - is simple: shoes are significant because they draw more attention to a woman than any other part of her wardrobe. If even one person says "cute shoes," it makes her feel like she's just won the lottery. "Shoes are a very important accessory and they can change the look of an outfit. Shoes are an easy way to inject your wardrobe with a small dose of a new trend," according to Andrews. "A hot new color, detail, or heel shape can make an older outfit look totally up-to-date. A high heel can also change the look of a woman's figure; the higher the heel, the taller (and thus slimmer) a woman will appear."
Fashion is, and will always be, a vital part of our society and one which should not be taken lightly, for it gives us our own unique identity and says something about who we are. Furthermore, it gives us pleasure and forces us to evolve. How we choose to dress is an individual statement, and this is why it is important. But remember, as legendary Couture designer Yves Saint Laurent once said: "Fashions fade, style is eternal."
