In modern-day society, the concept of cultural influence is quite familiar to us. The culture that surrounds us nowadays has an impact on many aspects of our lives. For example, our fashion choices are greatly influenced by today’s society. However, this is not a new phenomenon; throughout history, we have witnessed the impact of culture on fashion. The cultural influences that were prominent at each period have influenced the growth of fashion throughout history. The changes that society undergoes as a result of the cultural influences that surround them are a common concept that current society and history share. When we talk about history, one concept that comes to mind is how today’s society can look back and see how culture has influenced the growth of fashion, but individuals from previous eras were never able to see the changes that contemporary civilization has brought about. I feel it is critical to comprehend the impact of culture on things like fashion, but the best way to do so is to look at the historical side of it. When we can visually witness the progression of fashion across time, I believe it is eye-opening. It’s fascinating to observe the many cultural impacts that each period had. To fully comprehend the impact of culture on history, we must study the fashion of the time in more depth.
The Many Faces Of Fashion
Source: https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/524387950334942489/
When we explore the long and rich history of fashion, we discover that there is far more information than our brain can process. During my study into its history, I discovered that many civilizations impacted the fashion choices made during that time. The progress of technology at the time had a significant influence on the evolution of fashion. More advanced types of fabric and fabrication techniques emerged around the world as a result of technology and trade. Even though there are several cultural influences to discuss, each of which is equally essential, I chose to focus on the cultural influences that I thought to be the most intriguing and significant in the history of fashion.
Ancient Egypt
When it comes to the history of Ancient Egypt, it is split into three primary periods: the Old Kingdom (c. 2620-2260 B.C.E), the Middle Kingdom (c. 2134-1786 B.C.E), and the New Kingdom (c. 1575-1087 B.C.E). Throughout the period, Egyptian fashion altered relatively little. Given Egypt’s hot and dry environment, the need for elaborate clothing was unnecessary. However, because of society’s hierarchical structure, clothes performed an essential purpose in the show of status. In addition, religious beliefs influenced the usage of clothes to give spiritual protection.
Egypt’s main textile was made of linen fibres. The Egyptians were very adept in linen manufacturing, as evidenced by fabric samples that have been preserved. They created intricately pleated textiles, and tapestry woven fabrics developed after 1500 B.C.E.
Egyptian attire was dominated by draped or wrapped garments. Lower-status males wore the most basic of clothing: a loincloth made of linen or leather. Along with that, wrapped skirts were worn by men of all social statuses. Expensive jewelled belts, elaborate panels, or aprons were frequently worn over skirts by royalty and upper-class men. Long wrapped robes appear to have been worn by men and women until the Middle Kingdom when they are only seen on women, gods, and kings. Men wore long, loose pleated clothes throughout the New Kingdom period. Shawls were draped or knotted around the shoulders as an outer layer. Women who worked in factories wore skirts. Long, flowy tunics were worn by women, especially those from lower social classes.
Ancient India
I wanted to explore India’s fashion history since, unlike other cultures, I had never truly delved into it previously. Another reason I wanted to learn more about Indian fashion is that I am from a south Asian background. After doing some research, I discovered that there are certain garments I’m already familiar with, but I didn’t bother to read the history behind them. Learning how and why each style was formed became fascinating.
Cotton was the most common type of apparel in India, which is quite reasonable since India was the first place where cotton was grown. Dhotis, a fabric wrapped around the waist and tied at the rear, were worn by men. Many men wore man-buns and kept their beards short or shaven, while others wore turbans on their heads. For thousands of years, men continued to dress in this style. Women wore short skirts that fell just below the knees and a fabric headcover. Women wore stone and shell bead necklaces and bracelets, which were eventually replaced by bronze, silver, and gold.
Between 1500 and 500 BCE, the Vedic era was in action. The Vedic period’s clothing consisted mostly of a single fabric wrapped around the entire torso and slung over the shoulder. Women wore fabric wrapped and tied around themselves by the Vedic period, similar to Iranian or Greek women’s clothing. Some ladies wore skirts with a separate piece of cloth for a shawl or veil and a tight blouse underneath, draped and folded around their waists and tied in front.
Ancient Mesopotamia
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=89615264
Early Sumerian (c. 3500-2500 BCE) and Later Sumerian (c. 2500-1000 BCE) are the two periods of Sumerian civilization. The Sumerian civilization began before 4000 BCE and flourished between 2700 and 2350 BCE when it reached its height of culture. Sheepskin skirts with the skin turned inside and the wool combed into beautiful tufts were worn by both sexes in the early period. The top portion of the body was either naked or covered with a sheepskin that circled the shoulders.
The sheepskin was replaced with a woven woollen cloth around 2500 BCE, but the tufted appearance was maintained by sewing tufts onto the garment or weaving loops into the fabric. Textiles were manufactured by women. Sumerian men coloured the final cloth after they spun the wool and weaved it. Women and men wore skirts made of kaunakes, a fleece-like material. The length of the skirts was determined by the hierarchical position of the wearer. Short skirts were worn by servants, slaves, and soldiers, whereas long skirts were worn by royalty and gods. They were wrapped around the body and fastened at the waist with a belt to keep the skirts in place.
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_clothing_and_textiles
https://owlcation.com/humanities/Clothing-Used-In-Ancient-Egypt
https://www.britannica.com/topic/dhoti
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_clothing_in_the_Indian_subcontinent
https://historictrends.weebly.com/costume-blog/ancient-egypt
October 8, 2021 at 3:46 am
Writing notes from Patrick
Very informative and detailed. First paragraph repetitious. The last four sentences would suffice. Maybe spend more time telling how culture influenced fashion; the focus is mostly on fashion itself. Perhaps a conclusion? How does culture influence fashion today?