Changing Fashion: Building An Erotic Capital

Quick and Easy Illustrations by Mai Manaloto

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Fashion at its core is change. These changes dictate the trends that come to be. Fashion’s responsibility is to identify the new 'it' clothing silhouette that stimulates the interest to a particular body part. This specific body part now becomes the erogenous zone.

Gone are the days when fashion was simply just about beautiful garments. What if I tell you that fashion is power? Whether it be for personal or organizational endeavor.  In this blog post, I want to discuss what really the lure in fashion is.

In this discourse I am guided by the 'shifting erogenous zone' theory by James Laver who is an art and fashion historian and critic.

He stated "the erogenous zone is always shifting and it is the business of fashion to pursue it without ever catching up" (1993[1937]:383).

The idea behind his theory is about how certain parts of the body are considered erotic or stimulating and how fashion, in turn, finds a way to enhance the lure towards that particular body part through the means of clothing. However, as time passes the appeal of that part fades due to over exposure. Therefore, another body part must be hailed as the new erogenous zone.

To give you an example, I’ve observed that garments that show off the shoulder lines are very prevalent today. Off-shoulder styles can be found in just about any outlet out there in the Philippines. This trend gives emphasis to the neckline until the upper chest line and therefore creates interest towards these body parts.

But once the thrill of seeing the neck and chest area is gone, a new body part such as the legs or back may perhaps become the new erogenous zone. Therefore bottoms such as skirts and shorts will be in trend as well as tops with back details because these garments highlight such erogenous zones.

As I posted in my previous blog, fashion builds curiosity through the simple process of concealment. The excitement this creates forms an 'erotic capital' for the wearer as it has the ability to maintain interest.

Clothing has the power to conceal and reveal the body concurrently and thus, it has the ability to appear erotic and moral altogether. Fashions’ capacity to have both opposing concepts working harmoniously is power, which is why the interest in the industry keeps growing. It creates a sense of uniqueness and conformity that appeal to a lot of people. And that is why, ladies and gentlemen, fashion is here to stay.

Misguided Fashion: The Misconception In Clothing

Quick and Easy Illustrations by Mai Manaloto

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There is this general misconception that currently prevails when it comes to the term 'clothing'. Before I became a clothing technologist I believed that the term clothing was limited to garments made of textiles that we wear. Meaning tops, bottoms, cover-ups and dress we have in our closets would fall under such a term. However, upon undertaking my journey as a clothing technology student, the term 'clothing' evolved to being more than just the fabric that adorns the body. Prior to this journey, my concept of clothing, just like with most people, was limited. 

In a comprehensive discourse by Eicher and Roach Higgins (1992) it was said that dress or clothing includes body modifications and other non-clothing items added to the body as part of completing self-presentation. Or in other words, it is anything that is attached or altered on the body.

It includes your swimwear and accessories, but not just limited to such merchandise.

It can be the watch you wear, the heels you flaunt, and even the perfume you wear!

That hair and make-up artistry that you got is a form of clothing.

Even that tattoo you hid from your parents for years are forms of clothing.

That umbrella you carry to protect yourself from the sun or rain becomes part of your clothing and self-presentation once you attach that item with you. 

Hence, as you can see, the possibilities with what constitutes 'clothing' are so large and endless that it has given rise to the fashion runways we have come to adore today.

Clothing Drive: Fashion Fueled by Desire

Quick and Easy Illustrations by Mai Manaloto

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I remember coming across a critical discourse by Ellis and Symons (1990) when I was still a clothing technology student. The academic background of Ellis Bruce and Donald Symons were in evolutionary-development psychology and history, respectively. They came up with a comprehensive study on differences in sexual desires between males and females. I encourage readers of this fashion blog to have an open mind in understanding how human sexual desires paved the way for the existence of business in fashion (ever wonder how fashion makes money?).

"Ellis and Symons (1990) found that 'men are more likely to view others as the objects of their sexual desires, whereas women are more likely to view themselves as the objects of sexual desire'." 

Men and women play a complementary role in the system of fashion. Men have a tendency to view other people as objects of desire while women, on the other hand, have the tendency to perceive themselves as objects of desire. Or in other words, women want to be seen as desirable while in turn, men want to perceive women as objects of desirability. Thereby the two sexes complement each other.

Clothing is used to mark or accentuate one’s sensuality which drives the perception of desirability. The need to be desired leads to the continuity of fashion.

Fashion driven by desire evolves because it can maintain curiosity through clothing.

The constant change in design aesthetics such as the colors, silhouettes and ornamentations build curiosity further fueling our curious nature through the simple process of concealment. 

Hence, fashion exists because there is a deep wired need for individuals to be gazed upon. And it is this need of feeling desired that has given rise to many fashion labels and enterprises we have come to recognize today.

The Perfect Silhouette: Lust-Shame Theory (for women)

Quick and Easy Illustrations by Mai Manaloto

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Fashion discourse is an avenue filled with conflicting contradictions with statements such as

“less is more”,

 “sexy but classy”, and

 “ready-to-wear couture” serving as examples.

Finding the right silhouette entails the applications of such contradictions since a part of our brain tells us to dress modestly. Meaning that when we dress-up, we should wear an appropriate amount of clothing and ensure that we do not reveal too much skin. 

However, the other part of the brain wants to be desired and it wants to draw attention to the best features of the body.

Some might consider their chest as their greatest asset and hence highlight this by wearing low necklines.

For others, their best features might be their behinds (buttocks) which they would choose to flaunt by wearing tight pants such as the ciggies.

And if it is ones’ legs that one feels most proud about, ways to show it off would be by wearing short skirts and other flattering bottoms.

Hence, when it comes to finding that perfect silhouette, take into consideration your best asset. Flaunt it. It’s all about maintaining modesty and at the same time displaying your assets. This idea is supported by Valerie Steele’s (1985) 'Lust-Shame' theory.

Fashion ironies exist for a reason, and that is to create balance. Finding that perfect non-constraining balance in however form we want to dress-up, is a form of liberation. The fact that we are capable of dressing ourselves in any way that we want, gives us so much independence than what our body can offer on its own. So get out there and shop until you find that perfect balance!

Fashion through the eyes of a Clothing Technologist

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Quick and Easy Illustrations by Mai Manaloto

Have the smarts to be a certified fashionista? The main focus of this type of discourse is fashion.This is fashion through the eyes of a clothing technologist from Manila, Philippines.