Biology of Beauty & Psychology of Fashion

Beauty is effected by biology, ideals from history, the media, and our own perceptions. It is imperative, for the betterment of society, to mate with fertile and healthy human beings. Signs of health are smooth skin, luscious hair, symmetry, perfect teeth, youth, and curves. Curves (hips and breasts) are secondary sex characteristics (which appear during puberty) and are considered a reproductive strategy, a way to "present" yourself to your mate. Fashion is a means to achieve this desire, accentuating certain areas or bearing skin in the hopes of finding the quintessential mate.

Money is also a factor. During the pre-1700 era, obesity was considered the ideal. Those with money could afford food, but for others hunting was a necessity. Those with wealth consumed more calories than they burned; whereas nowadays, the current trend is shockingly skinny. People with money have more leisure time, thus more time to exercise. Dieting is also popular among the upper-class because they can afford the fifty dollar steak versus the one dollar hamburger.

The ideals from history are documented through fine art (the study of beauty through fine art is also called aesthetics). Numerous times, one artist's idea of beauty was transformed into the cultural ideal (Botticelli's women are a fabulous examples). The steady evolution of traits considered attractive is blatant and easily identifiable. Knowing that society is still engulfed in this progression fascinates me.

The media plays a massive role in beauty. Their objectives are not culture-oriented. They are selfish and a means to make a profit. The media conditions society, almost like hypnotism, in order to achieve their desires: an ever-growing source of money. The novel Brave New World explores the depth of this concept through a Utopian society based on maintaining a never ending source of profit through brainwashing techniques.

In order to achieve sophistication through emotional dressing, one must not break under the ideals of society. Yes, the media can act as a sort of twisted inspiration, but it can not be the only source of creativity. Do not let the media's view become your view. Your style will come from within and not from repeated attacks by outside sources.