When most people hear the word “fashion,” they often picture runways, expensive clothes and people obsessing over appearance. But is that really all there is to it? Or is fashion something
much deeper, perhaps even one of the strongest ways of expressing ourselves?
It is true that fashion is usually seen as a reflection of someone’s outward appearance. After all, it’s the first thing people notice when they see you. In a world where people are often judged within seconds, clothes can be a way to present oneself in the best light. Some dress to impress, some to hide, and others to blend in. In that sense, yes—fashion is very much about the outside. But this isn’t the full story.
Looking deeper, fashion can speak when words fail. A teenager might dye their hair a loud colour not just to look “cool” but to say, “this is me and I won’t be ignored.” A person who wears vintage pieces might be showing their love for the past, for nostalgia, or for uniqueness. Even people who wear the same colour every day might be telling the world that they value simplicity over chaos. Every choice has a reason behind it, and those reasons are often more emotional than we think.
Fashion can also be a protest. Throughout history, clothes have been used as symbols—whether it was women wearing trousers when it was “unladylike” or activists wearing certain colours to stand for what they believe in. In these cases, fashion is not shallow; it’s powerful. It becomes a tool to say what someone might not be allowed to say out loud.
Of course, not everyone cares about fashion, and that’s okay too. But to say it’s only about looks is to miss the point. Fashion is about identity, emotion and expression. Just like language or art, it gives people a way to be seen and understood.
In the end, fashion is not just a mirror, it is a voice. And sometimes, that voice can speak louder than words ever could.