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Showing posts from November, 2013

Fashion Ed: Fashion Flow Theories

Today I want to discuss the theories of Fashion Flow: Downward, Horizontal, and Upward. You probably have heard these terms before but I want to go into further detail as to what they mean and the difference between them. Downward Flow Theory ( Trickle - Down) This theory is the most widely known and the oldest theory of fashion adoption. The basic definition in short-to be identified as a true fashion, styles must first be adopted by those at the top of the social pyramid, then the style is eventually accepted at the lower social levels. This theory assumes that there is a social hierarchy in which lower income people seek to identify with more affluent people. Because those at the top want to disassociate themselves with the lower social level, once the fashion or style has flowed to the lower social level, the upper classes will reject it and move on to the next new fashion. The phrase "that is so last season" comes to mind when I think of this theory. Ag