Fashion vs Style: Are They The Same Thing?

 The words fashion and style are often used interchangeably. I recently wrote a blog post entitled 'Are Skinny Jeans Still Fashionable?' It got me thinking about the many ways in which people might phrase this sentence:

• Are skinny jeans still in fashion?
• Are skinny jeans still in style?
• Are skinny jeans still stylish?

You get the gist!

But if we are to get technical then fashion and style are two totally different things, although they fall under the same umbrella. 

So, if you've ever wondered about the fashion vs style debate, you're in the right place. Let's take a deeper dive.

What's The Difference Between Fashion And Style?

When it comes down to it, fashion is something that's ever changing. I recently watched a video on YouTube that covered the various fashions we have seen over the last 100 years. It was incredibly interesting to see how different women were dressing in the 1920's compared to the 1990's, for example. 

But this is the perfect example of how fashion caters to the current needs and wants of the modern consumer. Fashion is a statement of the current generation and culture of any given time period. 

On the other hand, style doesn't change and it's something much more personal. 

Once a person has curated their own style, it's something they stick with and rarely stray from it. What's more, style doesn't have to fit in with the current trends and is often much more classic. 

So, How Can You Differentiate Between Fashion And Style?

Considering what we have just learned, it would be easy to determine that style is something much more timeless. 

Look at the elegant, chic style that Paris is famed for. While this might not fit in with current trends, it's certainly something that millions of women turn to because of how effortless it is and how endlessly this look can be worn. 

On the flip side, we have to consider style as something more flamboyant or personal that allows you to express who you are. 

While extreme, let's think about the goth style. This is a very unique and out-there look but whose wearers are trying to convey their personalities. It isn't something that one might dip their toes into every now and again. This style, and many others like it, are more of a way of life. 

Your style speaks volumes about who you are and allows you to use your own creativity to express this.

Fashion, on the other hand, caters to the masses. It's more of a collective idea of how an outfit should look. We've seen many fashions over the years including the iconic flared jeans of the 70's and the beehive hairstyles of the 60's and many others besides. 

Style Alongside Fashion

One of the things that fascinates me about the world of fashion is the concept that a designer or brand can create their very own style. 

Look at the likes of Chanel, Dior, and Vuitton. If you know anything about these brands, you'll easily be able to tell their pieces apart. For example, Chanel is known for its elegant, uncluttered, slightly boxy designs while Dior is famed for its New Look feminine style. 

What I love about this is that style lovers can curate an entire wardrobe based around their favourite brands and designers. Once you find a style that you love, it's merely a matter of building your collection.

Is There A Benefit In Creating A Personal Style Or Should I Stick With Fashion?

Whether you choose to find your own personal style or stick with current fashion trends is an entirely personal decision. It's not something I can categorically tell you how to approach.

What I can do, however, is point out the advantages and disadvantages of fashion vs style to help you make a more informed choice. 

Fashion

If you opt to fill up your wardrobe with the latest trends then you'll be at a major advantage if you're keen to look modern. Keeping up with the latest styles is a great way to generate a buzz on social media. If you're an influencer who constantly needs new content then showcasing these ever-changing trends is always going to be a good idea. 

What's more, you'll never tire of your clothing because it'll always be evolving. If you're someone that gets bored easily, then moving with the latest trends will keep your wardrobe fresh and exciting. 

The most obvious downside of this, however, is that you'll have to invest a lot more money in your clothing. Designers and fashion houses launch new collections every season. Keeping up with this, even if you're buying high-street brands, can become very costly. Setting a fashion budget for each season is essential.

Additionally, you have to consider the environmental impact. We live in a world where fast fashion caters to the trend-lover's needs and that's good in a lot of ways. However, we have to be mindful of our impact on the environment and be sure that we're properly recycling or re purposing pieces that are no longer in fashion.

Style

Personally, I'm a fan of creating a style and sticking with it. I love timeless elegance (where do you think I got the name for this blog) as this is an easy to maintain style that only requires basic pieces, accented with accessories. 

If you don't want to spend a small fortune on clothes shopping each season then creating a personal style is the way forward. You can build a capsule wardrobe of your favourite pieces and mix and match them. You'll never struggle with what to wear again. 

On top of this, having a personal style allows you to show off who you are through your clothing. We should see our bodies as a canvas on which to create art; in this case, that art is your clothing. 

However, I should warn you that having a personal style does mean that your outfits won't run with current trends. If this is something that bothers you then this probably isn't the right option for you. 

What's more, we have to consider that a lot of your outfits will look very similar especially once you really get to grips with what it is that you like. I often find myself wearing tailored trousers or an all-black outfit. While I love this, it can feel boring for some people.