Some people wear clothes. Well hopefully everyone wears clothes- unless your like a nudist, that's dope too I wont judge. But back to the point. Some people wear clothes, others wear fashion. The difference between the two is greatly ignored or misinterpreted. It’s not about designer vs shein- it's about knowledge. Woah i know i know that cheesy but stay with me now!
Unless you're one of my nudist homies, you've worn clothing. Yay congrats your officially a part of my target audience wow you should stay and lowkey read everything and lowkey interact with andis archive on all platforms ;).
For most people clothes are just a functional, necessary, and neutral part of life. Peoples clothing is often used as a tool to fit into their surroundings. Now before you get mad at me I swear I'm not calling you basic. Just think of it in the broader sense. Before going out with the girls there's always someone that asks “what's everyone wearing” , or even better - remember the deep friendship bonding moment of the “if you wear a skirt to school tomorrow i will wear one too” packs we made in middle school. It's human nature to want to not only be prepared for activities but feel comfortable.
However the main concern with the discernment between clothes and fashion is that many people claim the fashion community but not the prerequisite knowledge that it requires. See you can easily have style without fashion. No matter how deep into this stuff I get I will never deny the fact that a baby tee and some jeans are fire. like it never will do you dirty. But the difference becomes clear when intent comes into play. One person might throw on a fit because they like the clothes- and thats fire bro i like clothes too! But another person might throw on a fit because they have a perfect piece that was deconstructed and recontextualized on a runway. The difference is the story behind it.
Fashion has been around forever. Well I guess since we grew out of the whole “naked 24/7 thing. Welp some people didnt grow with society on that one but im giving the nudists too many shout outs so ima keep moving. Throughout history, fashion has been a major medium for movements tied to gender, race, class, power, and overall our culture. It's an intentional expression rooted in rebellion, socially charged, creatively driven- and it's naive and ignorant to try to reduce it to something less than that. It was never just about clothes- it's about telling a story even at times where it wasn't safe to voice it vocally.
If you say you love fashion but try to separate it from history, culture, or politics- you don't love fashion. You love clothes with extra steps. CLOCK ITTTTTT!!
For those who are currently realizing that I may be calling you out on your own cellular device oop- dont worry! It's never too late to learn. Honestly I've never been one for history, like respectfully if you're telling me a story but a subway surfers video isn't on a split screen with a slime video- im not listening. But fashion takes the cake as the best way to learn. Which means a lot because those slime videos hit hard. It's a walking text book. You could be at brunch and see a girl walking in wearing a specific piece that you know about and without even speaking to her you now can infer some societal views she has, and if your really locked in, you may remember the history behind that article of clothing and remember those who fought in the story behind it. It seems nerdy but I promise it's an insane life upgrade.
Many examples of the stories told through fashion- are hiding behind some very popular pieces.
If you own and wear a mini skirt- in the context of fashion you are directly standing up for the women's liberation movement, expressing support for sexual freedom and overall empowerment for women. This piece's pocket of time, first emerged in 1962 and was made famous through designers such as Mary Quant. This piece will always stand for an inherent sense of rebellion and freedom from oppression of women everywhere.
And let’s be clear - a lot of what’s considered cool and edgy in fashion today is lifted straight from black culture, often without credit, context, or compensation. Think about how streetwear was born out of black and brown communities, but luxury brands suddenly slap a logo on a hoodie and call it “urban chic” like they invented it. Fashion owes a huge debt to black creatives. From Dapper Dan remixing luxury logos in Harlem to André Leon Talley reshaping editorial style at vogue. To love fashion without acknowledging that, is not just erasure- it’s theft dressed up in designer.
Lastly, another group that has fought to hold the space it does in the fashion world are our queer communities. What started with secret color coded hankies and lace codes has grown into a beautiful part of fashion history. Monumental events like the 1920 Harlem drag balls such as the ones thrown black queer performer, Gladlys Bentley - while go unknown to many- are actually the reason we have a whole subcategory in fashion today. The drag shows were some of the first to highlight elements such as mixing tuxedos and glamour aka the original elements that give us the genderfluid and androgynous spaces we have in fashion today. Angrogony is found on pretty much any runway- and is often worn by straight and cis individuals. Fashion is for anyone and sexuality and gender don't dictate what one should or shouldn't wear- rock what you want! Just pay respect to those who fought for it, by knowing their stories and sticking by them.
With all that said, at the end of the day they are just clothes. The fabric we wear does not directly carry meaning – we give it meaning. The random girl you saw wearing a mini skirt might not be a raging feminist and the guy you saw glammed out, might not even know anything about the 1920 drag balls. However those who do wear these clothes- and feel strongly about the correlated movement, are finding a new powerful way to tell a story and as a human being I couldn't imagine wanting to remove that power.
All this yap wasn't just to educate you- it was to empower you. Everyone is their own unique self with their own ideas and opinions. It's time to add this medium of self expression to your tool belt and find fashion pieces that really customize your character to the highest extent .inside and out.
Fashion has been around forever- as you have probably picked up by now cuz ive said it a million times. However it is more important than ever to be educated if you wish to swim in the fashion pool. Fast fashion debates, political movements, cultural appropriation call outs- and issues within sustainability STAY at the front of our community- and to form an just opinion on the matters, you have to know what you're dealing with.
So as I wrap up this column, I urge you to use fashion for what it was made for. A mirror and megaphone. It provides you with a new medium of self expression and a reminder to others of the story you have to tell- even at times when you may not have the courage to speak it yet. While I am well aware how serious and scary this “responsibility” may seem- I promise it's not. The fashion community is notoriously welcoming and loves pretty much everyone! Respect it and the battles it stands for and it WILL stand for you. And if you're not up for that- I get it. Just know that you love clothes, not fashion.
