It is generally argued that the prevalent fashion trends all over the world shape individuals’ choices in dressing themselves. The main reasons attributed to this phenomenon are globalisation and the influence of celebrities. In my view, it is entirely a negative growth, considering the loss of individuality.
To begin with, the prominent cause of the prevalence of fashion is globalisation. In other words, the world is connected more than ever, which has facilitated the exchange of information, and fashion is no exception. Due to this, the propaganda of self-expression through clothing in the west has migrated to all other regions. Not only has this shaped people’s mindsets in embracing oneself with attires, but this notion is blurring the line between real and virtual self. For instance, it has become rather common for people to prefer trends started by influential figures such as celebrities to their cultural clothes.
From my perspective, this ongoing shift is overall negative to the detriment of an individual’s cultural heritage. This is primarily because it leads to alienation from one’s cultural roots as people start forgetting the importance of traditional outfits. For example, if people were to wear clothes which are in line with pervasive trends, there would come a point when people would be unable to teach the importance of traditional outfits to their offsprings. Moreover, there is a rising classist and contemptuous attitude towards people wearing cultural attires, thereby leading to the erosion of cultural diversity.
In conclusion, although fashion has provided people with a platform for expressing themselves, I contend that its impact on cultural sustainability is far-reaching, and fashion should not be adopted at the expense of the originality that a culture bestows.