Defying Post Modernism

Gilles Lipovetsky

Today, society is analysed based on the ideas of "post modernity". This concept supports the idea that fashion is freedom. Freedom to reject traditional identities associated with certain clothing. The idea behind this form of fashion liberation come from French philosopher Gilles Lipovetsky. He believes that, unlike in the past, all articles of clothing can be universally worn without possessing some kind of symbolic meaning. Another way to look at is that people themselves have no consistent identity. As they change their wardrobe, whether it be daily, monthly, or yearly, they are  changing their identity and how people perceive them.   The ethical question that I will be discussing is: Do we really live according to the rules of post modernism?

Lets talk about hats. During the nineteenth century and early twentieth century, hats were worn by almost all members of society.  Each hat possessed its own unique social identity: the bowler hat and the top hat identified the upper class, the cap with a visor identified military officers and the working class, and  the straw boater identified with the working class men that would spend most of their days outside. If anyone else were to attempt to wear a hat that wasn't inline with their social status, people would not take the individual seriously. According to Lipovetsky, these forms of social identification are long gone as a result of the new judgement free post modern society and the idea that people can no longer be associated with a particular identity.

Princess Kate and Queen Elizabeth II
wearing derby hats

So what is it about hats that questions the ideas of post modernism? The fitted hat, for example, is common among  both young men and young women. The people who wear this type of hat are usually dress a certain way and fit into a certain stereotype: athletes, rappers, celebrities, and/or skateboarders. It is pretty obvious that these hats are common among people trying to express a certain identity. Now, lets look at men's and women's derby hats. Derby hats are commonly worn by men and women ranging from young adult to adult. These hats are usually worn once a year during horse racing season but can also be seen year round on members of the upper and royal classes such as Princess Kate and Queen Elizabeth II. Is it possible for someone who wears derby hats to switch to fitted hats and instantly change their identity without altering other aspects of their style? Or what about the reverse? It is not as simple as it may seem. Some may think "Yes, of course they can switch" but in reality hats possess meaning that are much more complex than post modernists assume. In fact, its impossible to find photos on the internet that illustrate what this switch may look like because its never been done seriously before. If this switch were to happen, people might consider it a joke.

Kim Kardashian wearing a derby hat

Kim Kardashian wearing a fitted hat

 Changing hats isn't as easy as people assume because in order to switch from one style of hat to another it requires a complete change in style. In order to wear a certain hat you must not only dress a certain way but act and look a certain way as well. Lets compare this idea to the two photos of Kim Kardashian on the right and on the left. In the photo on the right, she is wearing a fitted hat. In the photo on the left, she is wearing a derby hat. If she were to pair the fitted hat with the outfit she is wearing in the photo on the left, her outfit would have been considered a "joke". In order for Kim to wear a fitted hat, she has to adjust her outfit and her attitude. Kim must take on the identity associated with each particular hat through her clothing choices and her body language. In the photo with the derby hat, her body language is poised and elegant in her sophisticated white dress and black gloves. In the photo with the fitted hat, her body language is more laid-back and filled with attitude in her white blazer and above the knee black high-heeled boots.

Rihanna changes her identity based on
the occasion

It is obvious that in this age of post modernity, not all of the rules apply to all aspects of fashion. It might be a lot easier for people to dress a certain way and change their identities regularly but all articles of clothing still carry with them some sort of symbolic meaning. Lipovetsky was right in saying that people themselves have no constant identity but was wrong in saying that clothing no longer carries any identity at all. Each article of clothing that we wear, whether it be a hat, a pair of shoes, or bag that we carry, all are symbolic of the particular identity we take on at that specific time.