Culture is more than what we realise especially when it comes to fashion sense. With fashion depending on your style it comes with a sense of belonging, taste in art and it especially includes the factor that is your way of life.
When it comes to culture, there are many influences. From traditional, to music, pop culture and even social movements. They all impact the way you shape yourself in every manner. Music culture makes a bigger difference than what people realise. From a shift in jean choice to a change in hair color, cultures influences are visually evident.
The practicality behind the style choices
You may look upon someone and wonder how their fashions sense is wearable. How they go about daily life and whether what they wear impacts their day-to-day transactions.
Those that are influenced by music and subcultures are a prime example of whether fashion meets style on a daily basis. You will be able to tell people within a streetwear style whose playlist will be full of R&B, through the clothes they orientate towards. Usually baggy oversized jackets, stacked jeans, oversized checkered shirts and bold jewellery will be the apparent dress code for someone influenced by this culture.
Social movements however will impact fashion sense in both the physical and emotional sense. Many involve materials that are economically friendly or recycled which as a whole meets their way of living whilst also allowing them to feel good in what they are wearing. On the other hand, these clothes may be specifically designed to spread the message they wanted to spread through visual slogans or the feeling they make people possess when viewed.
Consumer behaviour effects the fashion industry as many adapt what they wear to what they watch on tv. From dressing like their favourite celebrity, to being influenced by their favourite vlogger online. Pop culture and media is one of the most popular forms of inspiration that directly impacts what people wear.
Practicality of all of these examples is that the way people dress suits their personal taste and how they go about their life. Fashion at the end of the day is a form of expression otherwise we would all just walk around wearing grey sacks with the sole purpose of covering up.
Culture is something we choose and is distinct to each person. If someone were to enjoy sports, watch sports and only listen to sporting music and podcasts, you’d find that their wardrobe will directly be influenced by sport. It will mean that their sporty lifestyle will be accommodating to their fashion meaning they are always ready, and it will mean some of what they wear will be inspired by an advert featuring their favourite sporting star or from a game where their favourite player wore a specific choice of boot.
This is where practicality is at its most obvious.
Music is becoming more obvious and less subtle thanks to micro trends and the rise in concert goers. We are also seeing day to day style change drastically. People used to dress to a certain code but now workplaces in general are wanting to see an element of personality in how you dress. This can even be implemented in how you get to work, you my notice someone wearing supportive footwear as they have changed their route and now work to their desired location.
To conclude, cultural influences on fashion and their practicality in life really does depend on your way of life and your own interests. One person that wears high platform shoes may look at someone wearing heels and wonder why. Even though the same height is achieved but it was the personal preference in shoe that made one decide on platforms and the other decide on heels. The overall desired look comes into play as well.
Culture plays a much larger role in our lives and its important to know that there is a reason someone chooses an item of clothing, and it will always be influenced by something. Marketing obviously in this day and age plays a large role but a key point in marketing is that it tries to match itself to its desired audience. Usually through cookies and following buying trends.
