How trends in fashion repeat themselves

Running head: FASHION TRENDS REPEAT THEMSELVES Fashion Trends Repeat Themselves Name: Institution: Instructor`s Name: Course: Abstract The belief is that fashion repeats itself, and as research has proven fashion is not completely repeated but is modified depending on the fabric, accessories and style of the trend. Fashion repetition cannot be said to be the lack of innovation but rather it is an innovation in itself, as designers come up with ways of satisfying social needs of association and imitation. Therefore, fashion will be continually be repeated over cycles of decades, years or five years as trends follow economic, social and cultural preferences. Fashion Trends Repeat Themselves Fashion has come along from the era of petticoats and top hats. Trends in fashion are currently changing very fast with undoable trends in the past becoming common place. Mean while, the use of fabrics like lycra and polyester which had a novelty value has now becoming a basic occurrence. Fashion designers are currently aggressively looking for fabrics and fashions that provide that provide the needed functionality while looking innovative (Bagaria, 2011). For this reason, the trend in today`s fashion market is the combination of technology and fashion. However, the future of fashion is not only limited by functionality and innovation, but several factors determine our choice of fashion. First and foremost, the definitive facto for future trends is repetitive fashion cycles or trends in fashion which repeat themselves, economic trends, social influences and technology (Bagaria, 2011). Therefore, by considering these factors it is evident that with fashion anything is possible. This research seeks to consider the repetitive aspect of fashion trends, and why and how fashion repeats itself. Despite the progress that has been made in the fashion industry, we often tend to look back in time for inspiration. This trend is very prevalent today as fashion designers revive popular fashion from the past. In today`s market, old school fashion is made up of fashion from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, and is often brought back by the growing market of young adults and teenagers (Pesendorfer, 1995). Old school fashion trends are not only determined by clothes but are also determined by accessories, attitudes and hairstyles. There are many reasons why fashion repeats itself. Foremost, fashion is repeated because we often tend to get fascinated with the past. As the entertainment scene has proven the trend in today`s market is the viewing of old reruns of television shows from the 1960s and 1970s. This factor therefore implies that consumers are exposed and continually enjoy watching old programs and in the process adapt to behaviors from the past. By exposing ourselves to old media, we continually expose ourselves to past fashion. Examples of television programs that inspire are like Hutch, Charlie`s angels, star trek and doctor who. By wearing past fashion, people feel connected to the past which looks simple and uncomplicated like today`s world (Pesendorfer, 1995). Moreover, for a society that is driven by the desire to continually look attractive and sexy, the revival of old fashion is increasingly becoming common place. This is made so by the fact that fashion from the past was designed to fit with the body, for this reason the 1960s, 70s and 80s saw an era of tight fitting pants, shirts and designs with elaborate patterns (Johnson, 2010). Moreover, by combining these old school designs with current technology in fabrics, designers are able to come up with cooler and more comfortable clothes. Unlike the past, today`s fashion market is characterized by a mix of fashion trends. For this reason, it is common to find each yea, the market with new fashion trends from two or more fashion items from the past that have been mixed with upcoming technology. Fashion cycles are said to occur since most individuals have idiosyncratic fashion preference coupled with distinction and conformity preferences (Fearon, 1998). Fashion trends often repeat themselves since they have social meaning as they form from our social interaction and ability to imitate. Looking at the history of the fashion trends it is evident that American fashion trends are associated with materialism and superficiality. This is because the market is often flooded with fleeting fashion styles which quickly come and go. Such a factor is associated with America`s connection to deeper elements like culture, class and religion. Fashion trends in America follow social issues like gender, sexuality and power. This is because the need to conform to social tastes dictates how fashion evolves within this culture and as people seek to be defined by fashion. For this reason, fashion trends in America continually reflect the sentiments of the society and evolve with each generation. This evolution has been seen to take cycles of ten and five years, like the 1970s, 1960s, 1980s look. The most remarkable fashion trends from this century are the 1900s harem pants which were first created by Paul Poiret fashion house in Paris and which quickly took to the streets. This was followed by the 1910s tailored suits for women that were accessorized by chain belted jerseys and quilted handbags. This fashion style was the innovation of the famous Coco Chanel and which is still the most commonly imitated or repeated fashion trend to this day (Johnson, 2010). Women were later introduced to pants in 1914 following the start of World War I, as they had to work in industries, factories and military offices. The next important fashion trend was in 1920, which was designed from an increase in women in the sporting sector. This led to the creation of the flapper, which is still commonly repeated in today`s` fashion industry. Additionally, the early 1920s saw the rise of a wide range of fashion trends that are still in effect, these are like the chiffon dress with cowl neck and halter tops that extended into the 1930s (Johnson, 2010). The mid 1920s saw the rise of the popular rayon fabric that led to the reduction of the use of cotton in fashion. Later 1926 introduced the famous knee-length hemlines which have been repeated and are currently being repeated in 2011`s summer fashion (Johnson, 2010). The late 20 saw the introduction of shoulder pads, zippers and unusual buttons, bright colors and the famous shocking pink that is in effect in today`s hot pink jeans (Johnson, 2010). Fashion back then continually changed, as innovation and new found economic power from the industrial age provided emerging markets. The 1930s saw the hemline drop further, but gradually rose by the end of the decade with elegant draped dresses being introduced (Johnson, 2010). The 1930s also saw the rise of designer logos on clothing as was first seen with ‘le crocodile` in tennis shirts. Unfortunately this trend was broken by World War II, as couture houses closed down. It was not until 1947 that...