How Does Fashion Affects Ones’ Personality?
How does social media and fashion relate to personality? According to Raney (2015), “Almost all teens love social media such as, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tumblr, YouTube, Vine, etc. What teens don’t see is how much of an impact it has on their self-esteem.” Fashion is influencing the lifestyles of many young adults around the world.
The media has a way of subconsciously making us want to change things about ourselves such as our appearances. We look at the media to give us our influence throughout our everyday life. When it comes to our daily fashion choices, what kind of food we would like to eat, the type of houses we want to live in, the career path we would like to pursue, and basically the lifestyle we want to live. This is mostly true for the younger generation of millennials that range from the ages of sixteen to thirty years old or maybe even older depending on the geographic location of the individual.
Fashion is an outlet to show our individuality, or is it? Is it really our individual fashion choice if we were constantly keeping up with the latest trends from designer’s runway shows and style influencers on social media? Using logic, how can we be original if we are looking to other resources such as social media for ideas? So that brings to us the realization that the media may be the way we maneuver through everyday life.
Although logically it may not fully make any sense to say that you are hundred percent original in your fashion decisions, there’s another way to look at it. In my opinion, fashion does indeed gives freedom of expression which can boost someone’s personality and their self-esteem. According to Ferguson (2017), “Your style and the clothes you choose reflect and affect your mood, health, and overall confidence. Scientists call this phenomenon ‘enclothed cognition.’”
Does social media diminish a person’s character? How and why?
Just like any other thing in life, social media can have a negative effect on someone’s life and personal character if you allow it to do so. Too much of anything isn’t good for personal health. According to Walton (2017), “A review study from Nottingham Trent University looked back over earlier research on the psychological characteristics, personality and social media use. The authors conclude that “it may be plausible to speak specifically of ‘Facebook Addiction Disorder’…because addiction criteria, such as neglect of personal life, mental preoccupation, escapism, mood modifying experiences, tolerance and concealing the addictive behavior, appear to be present in some people who use social networks excessively.”
Too much social media can be a lot on a person’s mental state. Teens are too consumed with the idea of keeping up and staying in the loop of other people’s lives that they are not taking the time to live their own. Also most media users are consumed with the idea of being known and somewhat popular, the clothing, the number of likes, and social status is addictive and idolized by many young people. According to Bishop (2017), “The introduction of social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram has single handily changed society and altered the way we view ourselves and other people.” This obsession of social media and social media acceptance can be bad for the characteristics of a person.
Social media is not all bad. There are a lot of good that can come from it, including fashion and influence. It is positive in the way that it allows us to see new things and new contents each and every day to be inspired by. According to Sharma (2018), “It is an effortless way to connect with the like-minded people. You are just a single click away from an incredible number of such people. Regardless of location and religion, social networks are helpful in reviving and preserving relationships with other people.” Social media is a platform where we can follow many different people, blogs, fashion outlets and etc. that way we can view things that peaks our interest.
Can fashion and social media be beneficial to the growth of someone’s personality? Why or why not?
Personally I believe social media can be very beneficial to personal growth and it can also be harmful to growth depending on the usage of it. If a person creates meaningful connections with the use of social networks, it can definitely be a positive tool to use. According to Abrugar (2014), “First, social media can only be harmful when you let it be so. If you use it with discipline, you will make it your tool, and won’t become the tool yourself. Don’t forget, you’re the master. Once again, it’s all about self-control.” It’s all in how you utilize the tool that you have access to which is social media.
Definitions and Terms
- Social Media (Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary, 2015) – forms of electronic communication (such as websites for social networking and microblogging) through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content (such as videos).
- Fashion (Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary, 2015) – a garment in such a style.
- Personality (Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary, 2015) – the quality or state of being a person.
- Character (Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary, 2015) – one of the attributes or features that make up and distinguish an individual.
Assumptions
Asking students how and why they use social media was assumed to give insight on whether or not it is having a positive or negative effect on them and their personality. Also whether or not social media actually affect a person and their everyday life.
Limitations
The limitations of this research would be that not all millennials use social media, so therefore they cannot be affected in any way. Or even maybe some might just use the platform to promote something rather than browse and explore outlets.
Methodology
In order to gain the necessary information required and to measure whether or not social media has a more negative or positive influence on individuals, I believe it would be best to use a written survey questionnaire and interviews with those who use such platforms.
Resources
- Raney, Hayley. (2015, November 11). Social Media Affects Teens’ Self-esteem, Personal Identity. Retrieved from https://www.omahacentralregister.com/1366/opinions/social-media-affects-teens-self-esteem-personal-identity/
- Ferguson, Jill L. (2017, February 5). How Clothing Choices Affects and Reflect Your Self-Image [web log post]. Retrieved from https://www.huffpost.com/entry/how-clothing-choices-affect-and-reflect-your-self-image_b_9163992
- Walton, Alice G. (2017, June 30). 6 Ways Social Media Affects Our Mental Health. Retrieved From https://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2017/06/30/a-run-down-of-social-medias-effects-on-our-mental-health/#2cb1d2102e5a
- Meriam – Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (11th ed.). (2005). Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster Incorporated.
- Bishop, Luke. (2017 November 24). What Affect Is Social Media Having On Society? Retrieved From https://umidigital.co.uk/blog/affect-social-media-society/
- Sharma, Varun. (2018 February 14). 7 Ways That Social Media Is Affecting Us Positively. Retrieved from https://curatti.com/social-media-positive-effects/
- Abrugar, Victorino Q. (2014 July 28). Is Social Media Bad for Your Personal Development? Retrieved From https://blog.goalmap.com/is-social-media-bad-for-your-personal-development/
