Women & Fashion Trends: societal pressure to always look good

First off; what is a trend?

Trends. Intentionally enticing products or styles found all over our runways, social-media feed and covers of magazines. They don't occur by chance, rather are the product of careful calculations, from forecasting and manufacturing right through to production.

A trend can change weekly, with customers demanding to wear what the celebrities are wearing (thus the creation of 'fast fashion'). The life cycle is short, with immediate and global saturation via social media causing 'consumer fatigue'.

Trends can make comebacks; think the 1980s legging coming back in the 2000's. The industry declares trends cycle back every 20 odd years, but experts say it depends on standalone items, not an era. When they do reappear, it's because of advancements in technology; better material, enticing silhouettes, details.

And what about societal pressure?

Listing off everything women feel pressured by would take up way too much time; in a nutshell the most common pressures from society are;

1. Marriage and children;

2. Being the 'perfect' wife/mother/partner;

3. Being put together and having everything figured out; and

4. Looking presentable at ALL times.

These pressures start from a young age, with young girls saying they feel the need to stand out and accept these pressures, just to please society.

Social media plays a huge role in this way of thinking; the media is obsessed with particular aesthetics and bombards us with content as soon as we wake up.

No. 4 can relate to a lot of different aspects; dressing appropriately, wearing cosmetics to hide any imperfections (i.e blemishes, redness, under eye bags), always having that perfect blow-out. But it can also mean always dressing in the latest trending item.

The term 'fashion trend' under a microscope

Fashion can be defined as the latest or most desired style or product. The success of a trend lies in the way society interprets it and judges it; if it makes them feel and look 'enhanced' then it's doing it's job.

Current consumer culture is driven by aspirationalism and fast fashion. Women adopt the characteristics associated with the clothes they are wearing; in simple terms, if I look like and

wear what this celebrity is wearing, then I will also act like them and receive the same reactions from society.

This can create a feeling of 'fitting in' with the trendy crowd, but in actual fact removes a consistent sense of self within the individual.

This idea of wanting to look as good as celebrities has been around for a long time, and while we can't know if it has gotten worse, we do know that exposure to what they wear is easier than ever.

We need to stop this pressure

Wearing the latest trends, or experimenting with looks you see on celebrities and models, is not bad in of itself.

Feeling like your worth is based on appearance and your ability to gain attention? Not on.

The subconscious idea behind a trend is to fit in with everyone else and to win friends; the item or look transmits non-verbal signals about social status, values and lifestyle. But women also want to be individuals; confident, comfortable and independent. How can we be both fitting in with the trendy crowd, and be an independent individual.

Women are just sacrificing their comfort just to look good. We've moved from functional and modest clothes, to pieces that are solely there to adorn the body as a decoration.

As we get older, it won't be the same; feeling comfortable and 'yourself' in the clothes you wear is more important than wearing the latest trend. But for right now, being uncomfortable just to look good, sucks.

How can we stop this feeling of pressure for generations of young girls to come?

Companies should be adapting to the modern woman and making fashionable clothes that are also comfortable. Brands like Muji and Uniqlo are perfect examples of this; heat tech keeps the wearer warm during the colder months, but the ever strong trend of turtlenecks present in both of these companies are fashionable enough to wear daily.

Consumers need to lead this movement; we need to be telling the fashion companies and manufacturers that we value good quality, comfortable clothing pieces that are timeless.

Think of the skinny jean. For years we were struggling into the skin tight denim, but now the 'mom jean' and straight legged jeans have taken the spotlight, with street-style influencers leading the way.

We also need to take a step back from social media. How many times have you thought to yourself "I need to delete my Instagram account, I can't stand feeling like shit every-time I open up my feed." The constant overload of the newest trend and fashion statement only serves to reinforce the feeling that women are undervalued unless they meet social medias expectations of the trend-savvy woman.

The same can be said for reality tv. Even if you're not religiously watching the shows, you are still exposed to them via daily media outlets, social media and friends/family/coworkers that watch them.

The key idea behind all of this? Wearing the latest trend is not a crime, but feeling pressured to wear it just to fit in or be treated a certain way is not the way to go.