Former Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman has sparked a conversation about the relentless pressures of contemporary fashion, likening it to an 'arms race' where appearances and excess dominate.
In her latest column, Shulman reflects on how modern society has turned personal style into a battleground of one-upmanship. She argues that the constant pursuit of new trends, designer labels, and Instagram-worthy outfits has created an unsustainable cycle of consumption and competition.
The High Cost of Keeping Up
Shulman highlights how social media amplifies this pressure, with influencers and celebrities setting ever-higher standards for what constitutes 'fashionable.' The result? A culture where people feel compelled to spend beyond their means just to stay relevant.
'It's no longer enough to look good,' she writes. 'You must look better, more expensive, more curated than everyone else—and you must do it constantly.'
A Call for Change
Shulman doesn't just critique the system—she offers a solution. She advocates for a return to individuality and sustainability, urging people to invest in timeless pieces rather than fleeting trends.
'Fashion should be about self-expression, not exhaustion,' she asserts. 'We need to step off this treadmill before it wears us all out.'
Her words resonate in an era where fast fashion dominates and the environmental cost of clothing waste is increasingly scrutinised.
