The birth of fashion: how we went from owning two trousers to one hundred hoodies

In ancient civilizations, clothing served a straightforward purpose: protection from the elements and a modest nod to decency. Early humans wore garments made from animal hides and natural fibers, tailored to their environment and needs. A couple of outfits sufficed, as fashion cycles were as static as a mannequin in a store window.

The Middle Ages introduced a subtle shift. While still functional, clothing began to denote social status. Nobles flaunted luxurious fabrics and intricate designs, distinguishing themselves from the common folk. However, for the majority, wardrobes remained sparse, and people generally owned one outfit for work and one for Sundays and special occasions.

The Renaissance era was a game-changer. With cultural rebirth came a heightened appreciation for art, beauty, and yes, fashion. Garments became more elaborate, and the concept of seasonal fashion began to take root among the elite. Louis XIV and his court, for instance, made frequent style changes as a symbol of power and prestige. With the nobility trying to keep up with these rapidly shifting dress codes, the Sun King gave a huge impulse to the French textile industry. And just like that, the first-ever fashion system was born. Still, the average person’s clothing collection remained modest.

Then the 18th and 19th centuries kicked in and the Industrial Revolution took place. It was a period that spun the fashion world on its axis. Mass production made clothing more affordable, and the burgeoning middle class seized the opportunity to expand their wardrobes. The idea of owning multiple outfits for different occasions started to gain traction.

The 20th century wasn’t just about jazz, moon landings, and questionable hairstyles (looking at you, 80s perms), it was when fashion exploded. The 1900s accelerated fashion’s evolution. Designers popped up left, right, and center, birthing legendary brands and trend after trend. Hemlines went up, then down, then up again. Shoulder pads made people wider than doorways. Logos turned into status symbols. The emergence of fashion designers, the rise of ready-to-wear collections, and the influence of cinema and celebrities turned clothing into a form of personal expression.

And suddenly, shopping wasn’t just for special occasions - it became a full-blown hobby. Fashion trends changed rapidly, and keeping up meant accumulating more garments. By the latter half of the century, owning a diverse wardrobe became the norm rather than the exception.

Then came the 21st century, and with it, globalization, the internet, and social media. Suddenly, you didn’t need to wait for the September issue of Vogue to tell you what was cool - influencers had already decided. Trends started moving at higher speed. One day, skinny jeans were essential; the next, Gen Z declared them illegal. The result? More clothes, and at the same time more ‘I have nothing to wear’ moments than ever before.

Today, fashion is a global phenomenon. With the advent of fast fashion, online shopping, and social media influencers, the pressure to stay trendy is omnipresent. The average person’s wardrobe has ballooned, and like we mentioned before, often containing over a hundred items. Clothing has transcended its utilitarian roots, becoming a canvas for individuality, status, and even political statements.

Since 2000, we buy four times as many clothes as we used to. But we actually wear our clothes 36% less often than we did 15 years ago. So yeah, we’re buying more, but mostly just letting it collect dust. Makes sense, right? (Not really.)

However, this sartorial abundance comes at a cost. The environmental impact of the fashion industry is significant, leading to a growing movement towards sustainability. Capsule wardrobes, thrift shopping, and conscious consumerism are gaining momentum as we reconsider the necessity of owning an overflowing closet.

Every year, the world dumps a casual 92 million tons of clothing. That’s one truckload of textile waste. Every. Single. Second. While you’re reading this, a few more trucks just unloaded a mountain of last season’s must-haves. We buy. We wear (once or twice). We forget. And boom - off to the landfill it goes.

Our journey from owning a couple of essential garments to curating extensive wardrobes mirrors societal transformations. It reflects changes in technology, economy, culture, and values. While our ancestors might be bewildered by our clothing collections, they also serve as a testament to human creativity and the ever-evolving tapestry of fashion.

Fashion is fun, but let’s be real: our planet is paying the price. Maybe it’s time to slow down, rethink, swap fast fashion for something a little kinder, and appreciate what’s already hanging in our closets. After all, do we really need another slightly different black T-shirt?