Identity in fashion

Identity is an part of life that forms a personal definition for each individual in society. It creates a sense of belonging for a person. And gives society an understanding of a person. Without an identity we wouldn't be viewed as individuals, we would all just blend together as one. Fashion is a place where individuals display their identity. What people wear on their body is an expression of themselves. Even if a person doesn't have a care in the world for fashion and clothing, they still make decisions on what and what not to wear and buy. I remember a mind-opening decision we had in class about the subject on identity and its relation to fashion. A kid in class stated his belief on the topic by saying that he doesn't think that his fashion symbolizes his identity. I disagreed with his statement and agreed similarly to my teacher's ethical belief. The idea that even if you are not into fashion, you still make a decision on what to put on or what to buy..somewhere in between buying the clothes and putting them on there is some kind of decision made that reflects some part of you. For example throwing on sweat pants and a sweat shirt could symbolize that you don't care much about fashion or that your not afraid to not look put together. Some sort of decision is made by you and that decision is based on who you are as a person (your identity).
For those who are into fashion, their clothing also symbolizes a lot about their identity. Wearing Prada labeled items can mean you associate with the upper class, you like high fashion, or many other things. Once again these people are making decisions about what to put on their body, which are based on who you are as a person, your identity.

Each individual puts some kind of thought into what clothing they are put on and purchase, and they are all creating an image of their identity through their fashion. Most people putting thought into their clothing choices are trying to conform or express a certain identity about themselves.
The article "Fashion, Identity and Social Actors"mentions that aesthetics has always been one of the main guiding principles in the choice of clothing, when such choice is possible. Aesthetics is concerned with beauty and its appreciation. People want to look good and this means dressing well to display this desired beauty. The article mentions that clothing is a domination and constraint tool. I don't see it that
way. Yes, clothing can be dominating over people who feel strongly constrained to fit a certain image. However that idea of an object in life being dominating and constraining over an individual can be used to describe so many things in life, like social media, internet, television shows, etc. There are more influential and essential parts in society that create this dominating and constraining feeling over people than just a piece of clothing. I believe that people who have been affected by these feelings of constraint and domination just reflect this in their clothing and fashion, their not affected by their clothing or fashion.  Putting on a piece of clothing does not make you who you are. You put on a piece of clothing because of who you are. Society is the one constrains or creates your identity, and it is reflected in your fashion.
For me personally I can see my identity a lot in my fashion. I dress down when I feel lazy, because I am not afraid to look not put together sometimes. I like to dress up too because I enjoy fashion and I like the feeling of looking good. Whether you notice it or not some part of your identity is being reflected in your fashion.