Fashionista NOW: Inferiority Complex In Fashion 2015

Fashion’s inferiority complex in today’s age when mixed with covert advertising and self-identity based on social media presence of the young and impressionable.

The Montreal Gazette publication dated April 18, 1945 has a piece featuring a notable Hollywood costume designer, Adrian declaring that American women have finally done away with “fashion inferiority complex” in a time when “slender” figures and “broadened shoulders” were celebrated. During the time, simplicity too became a focal attention in how women opted to dress and adorn themselves.

Fast forward to 2015 where we inch closer to 2016, it is as though, the fashion zeitgeist has circled back into itself. We’re walking the line of the minimalist movement that celebrates comfort and practicality, giving birth and cementing the staying power of the athleisure trend. The denim industry is greeted with a challenge to satiate society’s current love for the more relaxed type of pants – and so they begin introducing their brand of denim joggers, in a move to stay relevant within the fashion circle. The comfy take-over has seen the landscape for women’s pants marketed online drastically changed, with more harem pants, culottes, and palazzo pants out in the main shelves.

The Modern Fashionista New Inferiority Complex

On the matter of inferiority complex; it is a new different ballgame altogether. Back in the 40s, with no omnipotent internet to turn anyone into a mini celebrity, women looked to starlets who lived lives that were so far removed from how they, mere mortals, lived. While they did strive to dress according to the trends of the time, the influx of style influences coming from the top wasn’t available 24/7. With social media and the whole “democratization” of fashion of today, that have both the young and grown adults scramble for someone they admire to follow, subscribe and like, they become sucked into a world of social media presence that is laced with covert advertising. As opposed to pop star icons and high street fashion models, the icons they look up to are relatable with many style influencers taking up residences on Instagram and other fashion social media the likes of Lookbook, Chictopia and Bloglovin.

If by the Montreal Gazzete’s fashion news context that in 1945 the inferiority complex was remedied through a self thought-out decisions of dressing that only referred to fashion magazines and newspapers as mere guidelines to arriving to a unique individualistic sense of style, then the same can be said of today’s ever-growing fashion set. Nevertheless, it is wise to note that the issues involving self-identity and confidence are far more complex than the ‘label of fashion’ can contain today.

There is a lifestyle aspect to appearing in style in photos and the young are immensely smothered by countless instant images of fashionable people of their ages. It’s no surprise that they get caught up in the ritual of polishing their insta-pictures, attaching happiness to the portrayal of the good and glamorous life, emulating those they adore and are exposed to through their social media feeds on a daily basis.

Being Young And Fashion-Smitten In The Digital Age

This subject might have been something you’re familiar with too if you’ve followed the Essena O’Neill’s debacle recently, as it’s never just fashion or style per se involved when the barely-out-of-school has the power to attach a price tag before posting their next Instagram-worthy shot. A financial transaction may be wedded to this method of style expression online where the young and impressionable can get lost in a maze they believe has that secret potion for happiness, acceptance and success. This isn’t to say that all are smokes and mirrors as one experience obviously doesn’t speak for the rest.

In 2015, the feelings of inferiority complex experienced by those bewitched by fashion are far disturbing when set in a backdrop of instant connectivity that appears to have no limit unless by discipline, experience and perspective, it is set. While the sense of self is partly associated with how one shows up in the approach of dressing in today’s very visual world, the foundation to building a strong self-identity involves intangible battles that for the most part take place within and usually, has little to do with fashion and social media.

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Here on Fashionista NOW, our one and very own Miss Reverie showcases the latest in fashion trends and its various social implications in our everyday lives. You may read more of her at REVERIE SANCTUARY.