Staff Writer
Fashion is a general term for a currently popular style or practice, especially in clothing, footwear or accessories.
It goes without saying that different fashions have come and gone over time. Fashion also changes and evolves through different generations.
For example, in the 1840s, it didn’t matter what color dress you were married in. It wasn’t until Queen Victoria was married in in a white, lace-trimmed dress that women began to associate white gowns with weddings.
No surprise, styles changed again during the 19th century. Dark suits for men were at the height of fashion during that time. Colors such as black, grey and brown indicated authority, responsibility and respect for men.
The sailor suit also became an essential uniform for boys of the middle class.
Women’s fashion during this time was a little different. Respectable middle class women did not expose their breasts.
They wore their hair in tight curls or knotted up like the women in old, classical times. Girls were thought of much like princesses and wore bows, ruffles and pastels as a symbol of their uniqueness.
It was through these times that colors became associated with particular events and emotions. Black became the color of mourning. However, it was also the color of a formal evening dress.
Some clothing has become associated with particular people. Abraham Lincoln is associated with a black mourning suit and stove-pipe hat.
When you think of Elvis Presley, you see jeweled white suits. Jackie Kennedy is associated with pink pillbox Halston hats and well-tailored, if somewhat boxy, Oleg Cassini suits.
President Jimmy Carter was associated with cardigan sweaters. Ronald Reagan wore a cowboy hat, a symbol of America’s frontier heritage and its optimism.
As you can see, fashions have changed over time. Nowadays, fashion is determined by the outfits celebrities are seen wearing.
Sometimes, keeping up with fashion can be hard, so always keep in mind the difference between your style and fashion. Fashion will continually change, but if your style comes from within, it will be yours forever.
Taylor Hassa may be reached at thassa@springfieldcollege.edu
Shiver me timbers, them’s some great inrofmation.