A Definition: Fashion & Style

Fashion/Style is,

A physical manifestation of the amalgamation of the experiences, thoughts, and visuals intrinsic within the phenomenon one calls their own "life". The composition of an "outfit" is one's projection of the streets, people, and media (music, books, billboards, magazines, blogs) of their city, town, or virtual reality, if not merely a copy of someone else's experience. The pairing of these shoes with that skirt, or that blouse with those jeans is not a choice made in blind, but is in fact a conscious result of all that is "you", thus creating the perplexities and variations that "are" style. That is on one level.

It is an effort forged of one's ideals and principles of what it is to be human and what it is to live in a civilized society. If one feels that humanity must be respected as a function of earth and treated as such, then one may focus on sustainable clothing, or pieces that mirror the wonders of the world. Drapey, flowing, browns and blues. If one feels that humanity and nature are something to respected as an ultimate force that has given us the reigns, and set us free, one may push the limits of what fashion is capable of. It may incorporate structure, lines, and 5-inch heels, corsets: symbols of power and restraint.

Fashion is a reflection. A reflection of what was, what is, and what will be. A reflection of one's self, one's grandmother, and ones child. It is a reflection of one's standing in society, and the society one stands in. Economy, struggles, standards, ideals. Are you rich or poor? Are WE rich or poor? Combat boots are a symbol, we are struggling, fighting. Fashion will reflect the changes and revolutions of the times. Women wore pants, and won their rights, what will happen when this year we bare our midriff?

Fashion is art. The meticulous piecing together of this and that, brown with black, pink with gray, yellow with navy. An outfit is a balanced piece, head to toe, shoes to earrings. One looks in the mirror and wonders, takes off, rethinks, re-arranges. This is the creative process. Another, stands in the shower, water streaming over hair and down back, analyzing one's closet, visualizing the perfect outfit. One steps out, dries off, dresses, to a "T". This is the creative process. Fashion is creation. Digging through heaps and racks at Goodwill, click click clicking the pages of an online site, searching out the perfect blazer or floral skirt, walking the streets, mind like a camera. Focused, on manifestation of an idea.

Style comes from within. Style is, "a particular, distinctive, or characteristic mode or form of construction or execution in any art or work". One's flair. One's pink lipstick or finger's full of rings. One's obsession with pushing the limits or one's desire to remain in-bounds. One's black and white closet or rainbow wardrobe. Style is where "YOU" come in. What do you bring to the table?

Fashion is intent. Style is innate.