Taste has always been subjective. In the past, it was up to designers to decide what was “in” and what looks good. Now, the power has fallen into the hands of the media. The age of Worst Dressed lists on the cover of magazines is over, but eyes still naturally gravitate towards certain looks.
Social media became the go-to source for fashion inspiration over the past few decades. Users have many “style cores” to choose from, which Vogue defines as “a suffix that basically denotes a kind of style,” for example, “emo-core.” Even if one finds gothic fashion unpleasant, there is still a community of people who support that style due to the reach of the internet.
But the question still remains: is there a science behind good style?
The simple answer is no; there is no formula for good style because everyone is different. Everyone has different body types, lives in different climates and participates in different cultures that celebrate unique styles.
There is no plausible research supporting the opposing side. However, the media is relentless when it comes to critiquing outfit choices. Clara Perlmutter, better known as @tinyjewishgirl on Instagram and TikTok, sparked controversy over her eccentric style. Here’s what she had to say about it to Paper Magazine.
“I get these messages on a daily basis that’ll basically be like, ‘I used to hate you. I thought your outfits were horrible,’” Perlmutter said. “‘But now you inspire me to be myself and you inspire me every day to express myself,’ and all of this really nice stuff . . . I think the negative reaction comes from a place of a war with yourself.”
While math promises that every problem has a solution, sometimes the solution isn’t practical. Although Designer Christian Dior attempted to create a formula behind the science of fashion, it proved to be faulty.
“The Little Dictionary of Fashion” by Dior is exactly what it advertises itself as—an encyclopedia of fashion. Dior laid out the pieces for women to wear and exactly how they should be worn. He believed that style is sourced from three factors: simplicity, good taste and grooming.
“Choose clothes that are simple, in line and pay great attention to their fit,” Dior wrote. “And above all—care for your clothes.”
But Dior wrote that in the 1950s, and times have certainly changed. Most women do not meticulously pick out the silhouettes of their dresses so that they best emphasize the waist. Now fashion can be a choice. Writer Noah Johnson for GQ Magazine, which covers men’s fashion, sums “good style” up perfectly.
“Style is more like music. Clothes are like songs or albums,” Johnson wrote. “Everything is just a suggestion, subject to your particular taste and experience of the world.”
Senior Reina Dean of Ocean Township believes that style is relative and isn’t up to the opinions of others.
“Everybody has their own opinion and I don’t think there’s any possibility for every person to have the same shared opinion,” Dean said. “It’s based on your own taste.”
When looking into the closet, wondering what will be considered fashionable or not, people should leave the judgemental thoughts at the door and wear clothes they resonate with.
