Fashion victims and addiction

I first heard of the term "fashion victim" back in the late 80's. This was a period where the fashion industry had made huge inroads into music and popular culture. Everyone, especially teens and young adults would dress up as their favorite pop musician or rock band.

Today, the fashion industry is even larger and more influential. Clothes, especially notable fashion brands have become notoriously expensive. Today, young adults are seeking out the latest fashion and accessories and quite aggressively I might add. Young girls are becoming anorexic so as to mimic the catwalk models and to fit into the latest clothing.

Not only is this behavior unhealthy, but it also seems to be yet another addiction.

It's a terrible affliction. And it disgusts me that girls who aren't even overweight have to hate themselves for not ostarving themselves. Girls who are overweight are constantly told they're unattractive and hearing jokes making fun of them. The media should have never been allowed to perpetrate this impossible and unattractive ideal of beauty.

It's sometimes hard for me to relate to "popular" or "fashionable" topics simply because my family has never cared, and they taught me to just worry about who I am, and not what others judge me on. Also it's probably less influential on me because I'm a male, and there isn't as much media coverage on us.

So here's what I have to say. I think that parents and friends should focus on making sure their loved ones understand that they're beautiful and wonderful people from a young age onward, and that if anyone says otherwise, they're just plain wrong. I think we, as a society, need to focus more on self-worth of a person, and how they can be whoever they want and still be a part of a community.

I have seen a lot of people go brands and can spend up to $1000 dollars on clothes which is shocking and these people may have the money so are not bothered with the costs. I don't usually spend a huge amount of money when buying clothes or shoes, as I have never been that bothered by the fashion people are obsessed with nowadays. Sometimes friends or family can help the person who is going through this addiction and try and show them, they don't need to have the latest fashion or brand to look good.

I love fashion and it’s actually a huge part of my ritual for coping with depression/anxiety. Looking my best is a confidence boost that helps remind myself that I’m worth an effort. That said, my idea of looking my best doesn’t always jibe with the trends. So I certainly don’t spend beyond my means in order to satisfy myself in this area. And I can certainly go out looking “boring” if I just can’t be bothered, so I’m pretty sure I don’t fall into the fashion victim category. In fact, it dismays me when I see it. At best, I feel like they’re not expressing their true selves, just rehashing what they think people would want them to look like. And at worst, it can lead to all sorts of body and self-image issues.

I am proud to say that I had not been a "fashion victim" throughout all my life...from my childhood, teenage and adolescent and up to now. Even if I have the money I always think twice if it is the worth to buy clothings or accessories that are in the latest fashion. I do not buy things that I still have and can be use comfortably. For myself instead of buying these miscellaneous things in life I rather save for my emergency fund that can help me in times of needs. Sometimes we have to be practical in life nowadays and we have to spend within the means of our income only.

I never cared much for fashion, so I definitely have never been a victim of it. But I have a friend who is obsessed with fashion and who will go to any length to be able to attend fashion shows and buy the clothes and accessories that she deems as "the most important" things in her life. She has struggled with anorexia/bulimia all her life. Currently, she is grossly obese and emotionally unstable, as her boyfriend apparently left her because he couldn't cope with her eating habits and fashion obsession anymore.
Sadly, my friend looks absolutely ridiculous when she tries to squeeze into her designer clothes that are one or two sizes too small for her.

I have a friend with the same problem. The only difference is she got pregnant. She left her son to her in laws house in exchange for her education and a monthly allowance. Yep, they pay her every month so her son will be with them. She buys all the latest and expensive trends, tries to squeeze in too small clothes. Changes her partner every so often. Frequently visits different clubs. And she has not finished college still. We are the same batch and I have graduated many years ago.

Right, fashion addiction or being addicted to what is on the trend is also a bad thing. Some does not even mind anymore what is the cost and will even do anything just to have money to buy the latest in the store. It can also make a person feel less accepted or insecure.

Sometimes I felt this way growing up. When I was a teenager, I never really cared about fashion. I wore unfitting, untrendy clothes all the time. Most of my money was spent on my pets' food, not on fashionable clothes. Whenever I am in school, O felt out of place when they are bragging about their new clothes or accessories.

I don't know if there's a fashion addiction per se, but there's definitely eating disorders, low self esteem and shopping addictions. I know people who can't walk into a store without getting something, anything. Really, you don't need another scarf that you're never going to wear, or wear it once and forget about it! Then they wonder why they have no money left at the end of the month.

It's all a load of garbage perpetuated by the media. It's not so much of an addiction, more like blindly accepting what the magazines say is currently "in".

That's true, there is an obsession to be thin among fashion victims so that they can fit into very small sized clothes and they can imitate those models on the runway. I think that it can be harmful to their health and budget as well, since they must buy all these "in" clothes just to satisfy their craving for being up to date fashion-wise.

@missbishi
Yes! Media, mostly bloggers, always always have the trendiest clothes. Whenever I read their blogs, I tend to be amazed by their clothes. They always have the trends for every season. They purchase or get sent designer items. I feel that whenever I visit their sites, I get jealous of what they have and how they look.