LP Post #1
Choose any two of Christopher Breward’s aphorisms from his foreword to Fashion Studies, which you read in Week 1. Explain what each of the two aphorisms means (in your own words) and discuss which aspects of the aphorisms you agree and disagree with (and why). (300-400 words total)
- “Fashion is made manifest in material forms. It demands study in the same way that ancient artifacts are made meaningful by archaeologists: through careful excavation.”
This aphorism means fashion pieces (garments, fashion objects) are all made from real existing materials, in different time periods which exist in different social and cultural background. Just like ancient artifacts, which archaeologists make careful excavation to find out the meanings behind them, a lot of decisions are made when creating a fashion piece. Behind those decisions, there are meanings or interesting reasons. And that is why there are so many things we can learn about a fashion piece through studying its materials, appearance, technology, the time that it is created, etc. I totally agree with this aphorism.
2. “Fashion can be about confirmation, of self and others. But it is also about anxiety, ambiguity, and worry. As an aid to understanding psychological complexities, it is unsurpassed. “
Daily fashion is what you choose to put on yourself, which means it is a layer you, it is a second skin. Some times we find it hard to decide what to wear because fashion pieces are too outside, they are so obvious that they are probably the first thing other people see from us and they leave impressions.
Choosing fashion pieces is a psychological struggle, it is common that you struggle between two types of styles: the style that you like and the style you know you fit. Sometimes it is so tough to choose the less interesting garments, simply because knowing this one is more suitable for oneself. However, the thought that it is wried to have one eye-catching garment if the person usually doesn’t means refuse to change. I totally agree with the first sentence “Fashion can be about confirmation, of self and others.” We do care about other’s thoughts and then make decisions to dress. Putting up something to wear is a more complex behavior than it seems to be, especially to those who are aware of other people’s attention and judgment. Clothes are a second skin, you can either hide or modify yourself by choosing what to wear, or you can just express who you are in your fashion choices.
