The 20th and 21st centuries have ushered in an era of unprecedented freedom when it comes to clothing. Fashion has become more diverse, more accessible, and more varied. Garments are no longer confined to the wealthy elite; street style, subcultures, and global fashion movements have democratized the way people dress. Clothing, in the modern era, is more than just a necessity or a social marker—it is a form of personal expression.
But with this new freedom comes a new paradox. The more we strip away the formalities and constraints of past eras, the more we have to question: Are we truly free to express our authentic selves through our clothing? Or has fashion become yet another system by which we define our worth? The pressure to conform to ever-evolving standards of beauty, sexiness, and youth still looms large.
Social media platforms have transformed the way we perceive clothing. What was once a private act has now become a public performance. The more revealing the outfit, the more likes, the more validation. Clothing has become an extension of the self, but also a mask—something we wear not just for ourselves, but for the approval of others. In a world where revealing more of the body is often equated with empowerment, one must wonder: Are we liberating ourselves from the constraints of society, or are we simply revealing a different version of the same societal expectations?