What is fashion? Fashion is a form of self-expression and autonomy at a particular period and place and in a specific context, of clothing, footwear, lifestyle, accessories, makeup, hairstyle, and body posture.
That is the definition of fashion, and it is absolutely true, especially when you dissect the meaning word by word.
Fashion is how we all express ourselves.
Fashion is an individual style.
Fashion is based on what styles are in or, as the kids say, what is trending.
Fashion is expressed through various outlets like your clothing, your shoes, your purse, your hairstyle, your makeup, your accessories, but that final one surprised me, because I would have never thought that your posture was a fashion statement.
When I think of posture, I’m reminded of what my momma used to say to me, “Sharon stand up straight and stop slumping down”.
Who would have thought that my momma knew the true definition of fashion, but when I look back over my life. I remember that my mother was always dressed to kill with everything she wore. No matter where she was going it was put together with black girl excellence. From her head down to her toes she was dressed with class and with the respect we deserved to get, but somehow never did. We were taught that even if you didn’t have much money, we were still expected to dress like we did. In order to prove to the white people that we were just as good as them, and that is still going on today, or why else would a low-income person buy a pair of $300 Jordans, or a $500 Michael Kors purse, because we still trying to prove to white people, our people and ourselves that we are enough.
I’m not saying that everybody who buys these things is like that. I’m just saying that there should be a bigger reason than that. I guess that’s why when black people go to events, we are as they used to say casket sharp, even if we sometimes overdress for the occasion.
Black people’s lifestyles dictate what we gone wear, and where we going.
When I look at how fashion has evolved it is so crazy to see that the bible is right and somebody else is wrong, when it says aint nothing new under the sun, that’s definitely true especially in fashion.
Check out these fashion statements from the past, present and now, and even the future.
This was in the 30’s but I’ve seen dresses like this now in 2023. As a matter of fact, I have a dress similar to the blue one in my closet now.
This was in the 40’s. Look familiar doesn’t it. Who doesn’t have the power suit in today’s corporate world.
This was in the 50’s. Now these big hula hoop skirts didn’t come back in style probably, because it was for real real real skinny women. Those kitten heels are still in style today.
Nat king Cole and Eartha Kitt the original cat woman on the Batman tv show. This was in the 60’s and she wore it the best. The shing a ling dress was a staple in many women’s closets including my mother, Tina Turner, and Diana Ross.
The 70’s fashion trends were multitiered depending on who the man was and what he was doing and where he was going.
The 80’s was all about being bold, colorful, flashy and yourself. It was a continuation from the 70’s about being black and proud. Wearing the African colors and attire.
The 90’s in my opinion was the best time for Gospel music, Hip Hop, R&B, and fashion. Who didn’t look good when they wore adidas and Timberlands. We called them Tims.
NOTORIOUS BIG
Bucket hats and gold rope chains were all the rage in the 90’s.
TUPAC in army fatigues was a style that everybody was wearing in the 90’s, so much so you didn’t know who was a real army vet and who wasn’t just like now.
Then came the 2000. Styles became more of a statement of how much money you had or supposed to had, who had the finest chick, who had on the most jewelry, and what car you drove up in. Fashion was all about your lifestyle or lack thereof.
Sisqo and Lisa Raye
Alicia Keys in the most popular fashion statement the track suit. It was supposed to represent the look of everyday people. Hanging out running errands, only difference is she had a car driving her from place to place and she was rich.
Biker jackets became the in thing when celebrities wore them, because we all know how bikers looked and they definitely don’t dress like that. Meagan Good wears it well.
In the 2000’s we came back with a style that was in the 90’s. The camouflage army fatigues. The only difference is she wore Her’s with a short top and a really really long necklace. Tracie Ellis Ross, Diana Ross daughter put some flavor in this style.
Bra tops and baggy pants was a women’s way of saying I’m sexy, cool and a little bit of a tom boy. Aaliyah exemplifies what this style says.
Kangol hats was what all the men were wearing for years and even now they still wear them, because they make every man look hip, cool and good. My zodiac twin Samuel L Jackson color combo adds some flair to it.
Fashion has played a pivotal role in our lives. It dictates who we are, who we want to be and even who we’re not. I say that to say this, no matter what your style is, it’s a personal freedom that we shouldn’t let nobody make us feel bad about our style. Anyway for the most part, most of us feel that way and you can tell this by what you see some of the people wearing these days. I know everybody’s all about body positivity, but please yall lets be real. I may still have great legs and I could wear a mini skirt but lets be real at 66, I think not. You will never see me in a bikini, with my big belly, and stretch marks, or some short shorts, daisy dukes or as we used to call them yeast infection shorts ever. IJS. Somebody should have told these people that.
All I have to say is where are all their true friends?
REALLY REALLY!!!
COME ON PEOPLE!!!
Fashion has a way of telling people about you. What you stand for, who you stand with, and how you feel about yourself.
Fashion even tells me who I think I am. Who I want to be. Who I expect to be. This is my style. I am a Nubian Queen. You will respect me. I have the power to be all that I want to be. My power comes from God. He said that I am beautifully and wonderfully made and marvelous are my works and I just happen to believe God.
I’M EVERY WOMAN!!!