by Christy McDermott~

From the high powdered wigs of the 1700’s, to Gucci rolling out with three-eyed models, fashion has always been used as a statement and art form. Today, high fashion revolves around being innovative, fresh, and something to talk about. Seeing lanky models strut down the runway wearing seemingly ridiculous clothes is the whole point of fashion. Of course it’s not something we’d all go out and buy (even if we did have the money), it’s about wearing art. Who’s to say what is art and what’s not?

Posted by @gucci on Instagram

When we think of the word “art” the first things that come to our minds are the paintings and sculptures that are found in museums. Chanel is almost never brought up in the same conversation as Warhol and Picasso, but it most definitely is its own form of expression, just like paintings, poetry, or any other kind of work of art.

Lauren Whitely, co-curator for the annual Met Gala, says, “We have to remember fashion designers are artists. There is a huge aesthetic drive behind creating fashion, and it is one of the decorative arts, like ceramics, like furniture, like jewelry. It is design.” The only difference is that fashion is an art form that lives and breathes around us. It’s ever changing and a part of our daily lives, so it sometimes can go unnoticed. But when we really insert ourselves into the realm of fashion, it can let us say a million things about ourselves without saying anything at all. From defining who we are, our beliefs, and our culture, there are ways to express so many aspects of ourselves with just our appearance.

Photo posted by @VALLEYmag on Instagram

While we might not think about making a statement with our Penn State t-shirts and jeans, even the little details in an outfit can help express a little bit about who we are. Penn State’s life and style magazine VALLEY is on the forefront for showing this kind of expression around campus. Even some of the staff members display a unique sense of style that is true to themselves and expresses who they are.

In the Spring 2017 issue of VALLEY, Fashion Editor Matt Brownlow explores the fluidity and flexibility of style saying, “Although the energy protruding from each article of clothing is different, power is power. This is the idea behind reclaiming fashion from the world of binaries we reside in and moving closer towards a more fluid, expressive and androgynous appearance.”

Expression can come in many different forms: dying your hair, piercings, fun clothes and shoes, makeup, tattoos, and countless others. This kind of individuality is what makes fashion art — the beauty and thought that goes into putting together an image of yourself. Another key aspect of expression is confidence. It takes a lot of confidence to be able to wear whatever you want and be on the cutting edge of fashion, and sometimes that means sticking out and getting glares from across the room.

Fashion doesn’t always have to be about showing other people who you are and your style, it can be extremely meaningful to the person wearing the clothes. Clothes can give us comfort in who we are when we wear what makes us feel like the best and truest versions of ourselves and can fuel our confidence. From job interviews to breaking gender boundaries, the clothes we wear can impact our lives in so many ways and even help define our future.

Posted by @matt.brownlow on Instagram

Whether you use clothes to push boundaries and stand out, or maybe you just like being comfy in a sweatshirt and jeans, fashion will always be a part of our lives — whether it’s significant or not is up to you.

Is there a piece in your wardrobe that you couldn’t live without? Tell us down below!