Fashion Is Not Frothy : The One Where Fashion Meets Discipline

In an age of easy accessibility and significant focus on independence, the idea of wearing uniforms seem bizarre. Nowadays, with more light on individualism & uniqueness, the majority might frown upon the idea of wearing similar clothes. As it should be, because, when it all comes down to it, people speculate your personality by how you dress. Quite a shallow concept but with the progressing world, we no longer can contain ourselves within a jar. We have a sense of urgency to express our opinions, to lay down our foundation and to participate selectively in carefully chosen endeavours. But, let's take a moment by riveting our attention towards the exclusive choice of outfits people put on daily. As for our historical past, we already know how humans dressed. They covered themselves with the resources provided by nature. Although, that was their only way, I say, that marked the beginning of fashion. We had a patterned advance in this world as soon as man put a halt to his ordinary activities and thought, "Maybe I should cover up myself with that.'

Which brings us to the main subject of the hour, 'What benefits can a planned, analogous and equitable dress code bring to the human race?'

Criticisms are plenty, but so are the appraisals. 

Why does the National Army have a uniform? Why do the staff of a hotel or restaurant all dress up in the same connatural manner? Why in the world would teenagers be forced to put on uniforms, specially when it's their age to prong their individualism? 

These questions can be easily answered, right? 'They all belong to an institution.'

Okay, agreed, so what?

Another solution could perhaps be, 'Army men wear uniforms to identify each other.'

Correct, but not accurate. Identification is an important aspect in regard to wearing a uniform but the underlying question still remains,"Why?"

Because, as the name itself suggests, it promotes unity. Uniformity, solidarity, togetherness, integrity, wholeness, call it whatever, the meaning persists unchanged. When you don a blue skirt and a white top along with fifty other people, you are not rejecting the principle of lasseiz-fare, instead you are elevating the concept of equality. You are taking one step forward on the board of humanity. Sure, we can't argue against the well-established theory of existentialism but we can encourage uniformity. 

Personally, the idea of akin vesture is mouth watering. A lazy person, as me, rejoices in the premeditated attempt to not have to pick out an outfit every morning. Not because I do not own enough variety of garments but because I am, indeed, indolent.

An outlook on the marvels of accomplished humans also reflect how uniforms don't just mean putting on a pair of clothes that was provided in the guidelines of a said institution. It also means instilling within yourself a sense of discipline and integration.

Take Mother Teresa as an example, she wore, for the rest of her life, a simple white sari with three blue borders that has over the years come to be recognised as a symbol of peace and charity over the world. It is now adapted and worn by many devotees of Jesus Christ. 

Or, we could look at a more millennial one, Steve Jobs. He famously wore the same black turtleneck, blue jeans and New Balance sneakers every day. It quickly became his trademark look. When you think about the co-founder and (former) CEO of the most valuable company in the world wearing the same outfit every day, it’s pretty clear that Steve understood the importance of a dress code. He wanted to implement the idea of wearing uniforms among his employees but because of widespread disagreement he decided to drop it. But the idea had stuck to him and he wanted a uniform for himself, if not for his employees, hence his black mock turtleneck. 

What brings the greatest pleasure to the greatest number? The uniformity. The word ‘Uniform’ itself means ‘remaining the same in all classes and at all times’. So today, in this fast-pacing dynamic world, maybe we could consider the possibility of a formal or informal dress code being implemented for the sole purpose of uniting us.  

Therefore, Fashion goes on to explain how wearing uniforms will not steal you of your personal style. Just because you are wearing the exact same piece of clothing as everybody else, does not necessarily mean you will blend into one unit and be robbed of who you are. Our style statements speak a thousand words, and it's not just throwing on a uniform,  how you wear it, what you wear with it and when you wear it play a major role in shaping your personality. Not to forget the creativity that goes into it. Anybody can throw on different clothes and look better, but altering the same piece to make it stand out? That's the real challenge.