Fashion & Tradition

Fashion is something we deal with everyday. Even people who say they don't care what they wear choose clothes every morning that say a lot about them and how they feel that day. Fashion is a popular style or practice, especially in clothing, footwear, accessories, makeup, body or furniture. Fashion is a distinctive and often constant trend in the style in which a person dresses. Fashion is a language which tells a story about the person who wears it. "Clothes create a wordless means of communication that we all understand", according to Katherine Hamnett, top British fashion designer. 

A tradition is a belief or behaviour passed down within a group or society with symbolic meaning or special significance with origins in the past. There are various origins and fields of tradition; they can refer to the forms of artistic heritage or a particular culture, beliefs or customs instituted and maintained by societies and governments and/or beliefs of customs maintained by religious denominations and bodies that share history, customs, culture and to come extent, body of teachings. 

Fashion, or clothing, is most widely accepted method of identification or of communicating tradition; e.g. judges wear robes, people in military wear uniforms, etc. 

"The apparel oft proclaims the man"

-Shakespeare, Hamlet

Fashion is a big business. More people are involved in the buying, selling and production of clothing than any other business in the world. Clothing ca be used as a political weapon. In nineteenth century England, laws prohibited people from wearing clothes produced in France. During twentieth century communist revolutions, uniforms were used to abolish class and race distinctions.

A folk costume or regional costume or national costume or traditional garment, expresses an identity through costume, which is usually associated with a geographic area or a period of time in history. Its can also indicate social, marital and/or religious status. Such costumes often come in two forms: one for everyday occasions, the other for festivals and formal wear.

Following the outbreak of romantic nationalism, the peasantry of Europe came to serve as models for all that appeared genuine and desirable. Their dress crystallised into so-called "typical" forms, and enthusiasts adopted that attire as part of their symbolism.

In areas where Western dress codes have become usual, traditional garments are often worn at special events or celebrations; particularly those connected with cultural traditions, heritage or pride. International events may cater for non-western attendees with a compound dress code such as "business suit or national dress".

Traditional Costume of Bhutan

In modern times, there are instances where traditional garments are required by sumptuary laws. In Bhutan, the traditional Tibetan-style clothing of gho and kera for men, kira and toego for women, must be worn by all citizens, including those not of Tibetan heritage. In Saudi Arabia, women are also required to wear the abaya in public.