The Fashion Concepts of Imitation and Differentiation

Trending fashion is an element of life that will never cease to turn heads; duplicating brands that they love or celebrities they admire. Consumers have a tendency to imitate what they know works. As creatives develop new silhouettes, patterns and styles, the masses flock to these looks yet, people still desire to be considered trendsetters. While following fashion’s guidelines, people still want to deviate from the norms of fashion, aiming to make them truly fit them, finding ways to be individual while being accepted by society. This duality lives within everyone from designers like Tom Ford being inspired by Halston; everyone gets inspiration from others then finds ways to elevate it.

One can recognize this cycle of trends throughout fashion history, as people resurrect and reimagine old fads and subcultures diverge from popular trends but mimic one another. These concepts in fashion dualism are the brainchild of German sociologist Georg Simmel; his interest in the ways people think and relate to society led him to question how people come together through fashion. Simmel recognized that fashion is not simply black and white with consumers falling into two categories of imitate or differentiate. but that humans can do both simultaneously. 

If we looked at the revolving door of fashion trends, from the 90’s skater skirts to Y2K’s midriff obsession, the styles and pieces that are worn on the runway and on the streets are in homage to some part of fashion history. As people unknowing parade the fashions of the past, they also add a twist to the style to make it more current; therefore, imitating the past while looking to the future of fashion. Evaluate skinny jeans which are considered a closet staple. These tight fitting pants were inspired by the rockstar tight leather pants that performers like Aerosmith would wear through the 70’s and the 80’s era. These silhouettes of these skin tight pants are nothing new to consumers but the fabric choice designers have decided to use is what makes the imitation diverge from its leather origins. Skinny jeans are more wearer-friendly than leather, giving people an accessible option to looking like their favorite celebrities. This exemplifies the ability to both imitate and differentiate in society, and spurs some of the most popular fashion trends.

 Overall, it can be stated that there is this dualism within everyone. People have the ability to develop and create new looks while being inspired by the things around them. The need to separate from society is also what creates unique subcultures that enrich our history and push fashion forward. From the 60’s hippies and beatniks to the 90’s punk crowd, these groups with “radical” mindsets used fashion to differentiate themselves from society. Yet, as they banded together, they began to imitate each other's styles and their fashion was a signature of their community. Through this dualism of fashion, these sub-groups were able to differentiate and unify.

Report: Taylor Beth McKenzie