Is fashion better now than in the past?

Gina (No)

According to thread.com, 'the time it takes for a trend to die, then become fashionable again' is 20 years. Therefore, every generation is essentially taking fashion cues from the generation before. And this 'rule' that applies to fashion and trends is nothing new. In fact, it's always been relevant; as Ecclesiastes 1:9 states, '...there is nothing new under the sun.' That's why, inherently, current fashion can never be better than fashion from the past.

Aside from this, however, it's important to note that until the '70s, America focused on quality over quantity. Most labels read 'Made in the USA.' But, even though the US has the largest apparel market in the world, very little is actually made here anymore--only 3% according to the American Apparel & Footwear Association. Fast fashion has taken the unique intricacies of past styles and traded them for a bigger bottom line. 

The advent of sewing machines certainly made the job of a tailor easier, but the thirst for an easier and cheaper method in factory-made clothing made it difficult for tailors to keep up. Because clothing can be created at the drop of a hat, the thought, detail, and quality of history’s bespoke clothing have become far and few between. 

Unfortunately, today's fashion leans heavily on market research and influencers. Merriam-Webster defines fashion as 'the prevailing style (as in dress) during a particular time.' Prevailing being the operative word. Influencers—who are paid by fashion brands—use their platforms to transparently herd people to buy chosen pieces, rather than consumers finding fashionable pieces the organic 'old-fashioned' way. Since influencers are typically very young and lack design experience, today's fashion is not only cheaply made but also seems lackluster and monotonous. 

Grace (Yes)

Modern fashion reaps the benefits of past eras while allowing more personal expression. Although stereotypes and restrictions around gender and modesty still exist, those rules have loosened significantly in recent decades. Only a couple hundred years ago, women couldn't wear pants or wear skirts above their knees. Today, people can generally wear whatever they like.

Offering a new twist to old looks is a great way to innovate personal style. The corset, for example, is traditionally an undergarment meant to provide a flattering silhouette. Today, corsets have come into fashion as tops and layering pieces in innovative ways that reference, but don't imitate, the original look. Additionally, men's and women's clothing is less divided than it once was. Now celebrities/iconoclasts like Janelle Monae, Kid Cudi, and Harry Styles blur gendered lines around fashion (this doesn't discount past icons like Prince or David Bowie but shows that gender-swapped style is more accepted today).

Social media has also expanded current fashion through aesthetics and accessibility. TikTok trends like cottage core and dark academia have created communities based on sartorial expression. Plus, free social platforms allow the average person to define 'what's next' better than elite fashion brands, making fashion stronger as an art form and offering those outside the one percent to make meaningful decisions.

Finally, while practices are by no means perfect and fast fashion is still a huge environmental threat, there are better labor regulations than in the past. Workers have more rights, have unions, and are paid more. Through the internet and more publicly accessible information, companies have been forced into transparency, simplifying ethical clothing choices.

Today's fashion is more accessible, more on-trend, and more accommodating than ever before.