“Class, distinction and style” is an article abstracted from a book titled “The Fashion Body” authored by Joanne Entwistle, currently a Professor of Sociology in the University of Essex. She has been renowned for publishing topics widely on fashion, body and gender. This book is written from a sociological and historical perspective. Meant mainly for students, researcher and academics that have a vested interest in the role of fashion and style that affects modern culture and how modern social identities is formed through expression of the body, gender and sexuality.
In the past, one is able to distinguish the upper class and working class individuals by merely observing their clothing. Moving on to modern times, the article provides an insightful perspective on how subculture has influence in today’s society, citing them from several fashion authorities on the occurrence of subculture fashion styles. She identified themes that are tagged along certain subcultures which affect the way particular group dress and carry themselves. The author provides a brief introduction on how social meaning could be assigned to individual sense of fashion style and group association. And she claims that the association between class identities and fashion are less distinguishable in modern culture.
The Essay on Waiting For Godot Drama Style Modern
Western drama has evolved much since its development and introduction into Greek society. In its earliest form drama was a free and artistic endeavor. Writers wrote for their love of the art and to express their own personal beliefs. However, as drama proliferated across the western world, and over the centuries, it became a way for those who were financially affluent to show off their wealth. In ...
However, I would beg to differ on her argument regarding this diminishing association (Entwistle, 2005) between class identities and fashion style as the evidence provided were insufficient, not comprehensive and her style of writing is rather esoteric in nature. Thus before attempting to understand this article, background knowledge on fashion and sociology would be recommended as author employs several technical jargon such as “haute couture” and”flaneur” which was lacking in explanation and authors like Polhem, Simmel and Hebdige whom she cited may be foreign to students at an introductory level as they aren’t expose to them and might question the credibility of the sources. Beginners may also spend the extra effort looking up definition on certain jargons which she uses in this article.
The diminishing effect (Entwistle, 2005) between class identities and fashion clothing which she argues may be true however I feel that there could be an alternate view on how fashion is being perceived today’s society and the fashion has evolved and expanded. Instead of running along class lines, fashion has expanded to included styles from Mod, Rockers or Skinheads which are a subset of class culture being more localised. As she mentioned that subcultures with their distinctive style have become a source of inspiration to fashion and included a comment cited from Polhemus which states that sub cultural styles are ‘bubbling up’ from street to designer rather than the inverse.
Although her claims that fashion style have extended to an ever greater amount of people in society than ever before and the democracy of clothing were use to support her argument. I still felt that she failed to present the study of fashion trends which might leave readers the incapacity to identify patterns or have a clearer picture on how fashion progresses. Lacking survey results and testimonials from distinguish authority on this phenomenon. This might leaves us questioning the strength of her claim she posted.
Despite the article flaws, she provided good explanation on how behaviours and themes are closely associated with subculture fashion style and their identities. Several examples such as teddy boys who associated themselves with themes such as excess and violence or motorbike rockers who associated themes such as masculinity and toughness were presented in detail. She offered a simplified way on understanding sub cultural style by breaking it down into three aspects such as costume, artefacts and image. Dressing up in greater detail in those aspects shows greater commitment to the group.
The Essay on Fashion Style
There are some positive effects of fashion style. First, fashion plays an increasingly important role in an individual’s life because it is considered as a means of self-expression. Fashion is about your own personal style, it not about looking the same like a supermodel. The clothes and accessories that man or women wear help them to identify with a group of others-whether it is a lifestyle, ...
It’s interesting that she noted how body demeanour can affect social standing in society. The author illustrated very clearly on how one could acquire body styles which are learnable traits from their culture and highlight the importance on how one carries themselves is just as important as what one wears. The example which she presented were ladies from elite background within marriageable age was sent to finishing school to learn how to act and move gracefully and act appropriately in social events. I strongly agree with her, that in order to get a better idea of social identities and sub culture, knowledge on culture would be recommended to decode such signs that render meaning to it.
The author provided clear evidence on how sub cultural group has substantially influenced today’s fashion. I agree with her that individual personal expression portraying distinctive themes are exemplified through individual behaviour and style. Identifying and differentiating from society plays a vital role in associating fashion and identity together. Such distinctions allow individuals to stand out in society and fit in with their respective groups. Although her claim that class distinction is less evident and harder to differentiate in today’s context due to the change in society’s standard of living and the availability of wider spread of clothing. I would like to close end of by challenging on her stand on the diminishing association as it isn’t entirely true and urge her to consider the possibility of fashion being redefined by subculture standards, opening up possibilities for individuals to explore different identities and distinguishing their class identities in their respective groups.
