Fashion isn’t something that usually crosses the mind of people headed into the office to perform medical procedures, but it is really important. Whether you are wearing whites, scrubs, or casual clothes you have to make a decision about how you will look when you walk into the office on a daily basis. This, whether you realize it or not, can be one of the most important decisions that you can make. 

While TSLMS is not a fashion organization we are engaged in this topic because fashion impacts our members. It is in that vein that we put this piece together. 

 

What Is Fashion 

If you aren’t a ‘fashionista’ (either a designer of haute couture or a devoted follower of fashion) as LoveToKnow calls it, here is a quick overview: 

According to the editorial policy of Fashion Theory: The Journal of Dress, Body & Culture, fashion is defined as “the cultural construction of the embodied identity”.  As such, it encompasses all forms of self-fashioning, including street styles, as well as so-called high fashion created by designers and couturiers. Fashion also alludes to the way in which things are made; to fashion something is to make it in a particular form. Most commonly, fashion is defined as the prevailing style of dress or behavior at any given time, with the strong implication that fashion is characterized by change. As Shakespeare wrote, “The fashion wears out more apparel than the man.” There are fashions in furniture, automobiles and other objects, as well as in clothing, although greater attention is paid to sartorial fashion, probably because clothing has such an intimate relationship with the physical body and, by extension, the personal identity of the individual.

Essentially, they point out that fashion is anything that is either trend or personal style. It can be a whole wardrobe choice, or just an accessory choice. It can come down to the shoes you wear, your socks, your choice of jewelry, or a signature neck piece. There is fashion and then there is high fashion. If you aren’t into fashion, you probably don’t know the difference. 

 

The Difference Between Fashion and High Fashion

When is fashion not just fashion? When it is high fashion. High fashion is the very high end of fashion which focuses on exclusivity and individuality, whether tailored or created for one user and sometimes one event. It encompasses custom-designed gowns and wardrobes in which a piece can cost as much as some American’s homes are worth. Some designers of high fashion, like Roxana Pasino for example, dedicate themselves to fashion awareness and promoting their craft in a way that helps to explain exactly what this world of gowns and jewels is made of. 

Roxana Pansino, designer of High Fashion with an Atelier in Lugano (Switzerland) and with fixed exhibitions in Forte dei Marmi, Como and Dubai, present in the most exclusive locations and events in the world such as Monte Carlo, Venice, Paris, London, New York, is the ultimate expression of concept of uniqueness. Her dresses, with elaborate fabrics, are expertly molded and finished with jewels created and made for each of the dresses in the collection… 

Movie and music stars live in this world, as do royals and the super wealthy. The fashions that they wear, and those produced by the designers that are shown off at fashion week in Paris, New York, and other major cities, are covered by the media that drives and sets trends. 

However, one does not necessarily need to be uber-wealthy in order to incorporate some small pieces of high fashion into their daily, or alternatively, just their work life. 

If High Fashion is expensive and individually designed or one-of-a-kind, then as Wet Paint notes, “mass market clothing is, er, mass-produced and easily accessed (and typically made with cheaper materials), high fashion products are defined in part by their quality materials and high cost. So in other words, when you see five people at the mall wearing the same taupe peacoat as you (isn’t that the worst?), it was probably made very quickly in a factory, and thus, doesn’t fall under the high fashion umbrella. On the other hand, if you get a custom wedding dress made by Vera Wang, or fill your closet with vintage finds, or spend (too much) money at small, one-of-a-kind boutiques, those things would generally be considered high fashion.”

 

Fashion Trends In The Fall

Every year, as the seasons change, so do the fashions. Summer clothes are packed away, sold, or repurposed and clothes that will keep you a little warmer on those first chilly evenings and mornings make an appearance. Also, each year the stores turn over their inventory and the fashion magazines let you know what the colors are for the season, as well as what the looks are that will be trending, and thus socially acceptable. In some parts of the country it really matters and in others it is much more laid back and casual. Regardless of where you live and practice, when you meet clients and patients who are coming to you to help them look their very best you should look your best too.

Maybe you personally want to follow the trends and be fashionable, or perhaps you want to be part of setting those trends. Either way, this year you cannot go wrong if you wear fleece jackets, says Elle Magazine. PopSugar calls this the fall of “Romance” with flowing flowery prints for women. For Men, according to Esquire, the tapered, pleated chino, zippered cowboy-like boots, and old school long sleeve polos are in (along with fleece jackets). Vogue points out that belts, boots and hats are the fall go-to accessories this year; and for women who like fancier footwear, crystal-embossed pumps can pair as easily with those romance-inspired clothes as certain boots can.