ENG 105-31: Fashion and Clothing

There are many different types of clothing styles that are worn around the world. It does not revolve around one culture but different ones as well. As far as I know, there are many different types of clothing worn in different countries. For this blog post, I will talk about the clothing styles in Guatemala, Canada and the US and how they differ between one another. The clothes worn in Guatemala has a traditional and symbolic meaning, compared to the clothes are are worn in the United States and in Canada, as well. The clothes we wear have different meaning across different cultures. For example in other countries the clothes they wear represents something like their country and how it is. Some places in Guatemala has a specific type of clothing, which are known as cortes or trajes, that are hand woven by the people. Since it is handmade and the type of material, this type of clothing can be sold at a high price. Each villages in Guatemala has their own specific style of traje. T...

Thrifting is quite possibly the most rewarding shopping experience due to its effect of simulating “treasure hunting,” and who doesn’t love finding hidden gems? buying and wearing used clothes have been stigmatized for years. Many people feared that secondhand clothes were dirty and carried diseases having not been appropriately cleaned by the stores. Additionally, those who were superstitious believed that the misfortunes and misdeeds of the previous owner would be passed on through the clothing. Today, thrift shops attract shoppers from all financial backgrounds. The vintage craze in recent fashion and home decor has drawn popularity in thrift shops due to the wide selection of antique clothing that thrift stores offer. Fashion bloggers strive to set new clothing trends to avoid looking like everyone else. Thrift stores provide the perfect solution to developing one’s own unique style with one of a kind pieces at affordable prices. Many shoppers also find interest in thrifted ite...

by: Alyssa del Rosario             Fashion copying is widely known in the fashion industry.   You can see this happen when higher end brands seek for inspirations from lower end brands.   Although this seems controversial, fashion copying may be destructive or helpful in the fashion industry.   In the article, “Nine Times Fashion Industry Giants Copied Smaller Brands,” written by Julie Zerbo, she states, “It is rather easy to forget, given the frequency with which fast fashion brands are the ones doing the copying, that legitimate fashion brands copy, too.”   Julie Zerbo mentions how there are different high-end brands that copies lower end brands to make profit from them.   This seems degrading to some designers because it is a way where they are inspired by something and ideas are stolen to use for inspirations.   There are arguments whether brands should have more protection over their products.   In an another art...

by: Alyssa del Rosario   There are positive and negative affects when it comes to fashion copying/knock-offs.  Well- known retailers, such as Zara, Forever 21, H&M, have the authority to profit from other designers.   In reference to my personal experience, I have been to Zara for a few times and I have noticed a lot of knock-offs in their stores.   I oftentimes wonder why the original designer is not taking action on this situation.   At the same time, I though about how this will benefit people that can afford this.   Fashion is an everyday thing where many influencers are everywhere.   Although, this seems wrong in different ways, this can also benefit others.   Look-alikes in retail stores are being sold for a much cheaper price, which can help people afford clothing styles that celebrities wore.   In an article, “The Copycat Economy,” written by Helena Pike, she stated, “The fact that near-identical copies of luxury fashion de...