Theme Analysis
"Letters from Thailand" explores the complex relationship between fashion and cultural identity. The story follows Tan Suang U, a man who struggles with almost all new fashion invention, which often clash with his initial cultural identity. As time passes, the story evolves, with hybrid compositions and a tentative harmony between East and West. Western suits and traditional robes clash, serving as barriers to acceptance or protests against integration. Despite this, optimism emerges.The story presents a complex picture of belonging, where fashion reflects and affects the ever-changing score of cultural identity.
"Letters from Thailand" explores the complex relationship between clothing and cultural identity in Thailand. Mui Eng's traditional costume represents resistance, while Tan Suang U's stiff robes serve as a barrier against perceived absorption. Ang Buii's current outfit combines Thai silks and Chinese themes, symbolizing their growing identity. Tan Suang U's waning look at his children's contemporary group suggests a changing balance and acceptance of universal belonging that transcends cultural boundaries. The colorful tapestry of fashion creates a complex picture of a society where tradition concerns clash with adaptability and a sense of belonging, woven together in a colorful tapestry of fashion.
"Letters from Thailand" weaves a vibrant tapestry where anxieties about tradition clash with whispers of adaptation. He perpetually believes that those fashions neither improve the appearance of women nor even help them realize their own inherent attractiveness. Saung U is criticizing the Thai girl who had her hair done by curling it, as seen by letter 29, and he even makes a sheeplike comparison there. Saung U is deeply offended and desires that none of his children would ever have the audacity to wear a bikini when he witnesses others at their family's business wearing one. He believes that being trendy does not necessarily help one appear better, even with makeup, and that women's spending on such items is a huge waste of money. However, Ang Bui has a different mindset than Saung U and is eager to try the newest fashion trends. According to her, fashion has a significant role in enhancing women's appearance, boosting their self-esteem, and empowering them to accept their unique lifestyles.
Literature review
Many people use their clothing to define and create their own identities because fashion is an integral part of daily life. Due to its constant modification to reflect the current world, it is regarded as a trade worldwide. Fashion has an impact on our everyday lives and is valued by many people, who find it valuable. Fashion benefits people in this way. There is a connection between this and the fundamental human need for clothing. However, the fascination with fashion also satisfies psychological requirements related to personality and aesthetic sensibility (Fletcher, 2008).
According to Lizzie Davey's (2013) perspective, "The Attire of Thai women through the year," This source illustrates how Thai fashion has changed from 1920 to the present. Furthermore, reflecting the year, it had been linked to this news. As a result, colonialism had a significant impact on Thai fashion from 1940 to 1959, though not entirely. To be clear, Queen Sirikit herself is the forerunner who adapted western fashion; in addition, she also mastered the art of blending in or integrating Thai fabric and designs into modern-day fashion. Correspondingly, in the year 1960–today, since science and technology are the specific reasons that make the whole society develop and the mindset of people as well, everything started changing faster ever since television and some technical things became more available. It showed Thais what western cultures had to offer and kept everyone up-to-date on what was going on in the world. Even if there wasn’t a television in every household, there were plenty of them in public places to spread the news. The topics were varied and included politics, movies, books, music, and fashion. Queen Sirikit is not only loved in her own country, but she was also revered or admired everywhere she went. She was also the role model for young Thai women during that time and still is today. She has encouraged women to find self-confidence and gave them a voice, one that still resounds today.
Alternatively, fashion can be considered a conflict with consequences for the whole society regarding “fashion trends and their impact on society” (2022). Since fashion both influences and is influenced by society, it plays a significant role in society. For example, a farmer wearing skin-tight jeans means fashion has influenced the people living in the village. As per recent research, more than 50% of the younger generation keeps close track of the latest fashion trends, and they are the ones who buy first and make a new fashion design trendy. But as it is the nature of every coin, it has two faces with opposite meanings; similarly, fashion trends have positive as well as negative impacts.
References:
Fletcher K. (2008). Sustainable fashion and textiles: Design journeys. London, UK: Earthscan.
Davey, L. (2013). The Attire of Thai women through the year. Retrieved from: https://www.wanderarti.com/the-attire-of-thai-women-through-the-years/.
Fashion Trends and Its Impact on Society (2022). Tutorials point. Retrieved from: https://www.tutorialspoint.com/fashion-trends-and-its-impact-on-society.
Research Problem
As time goes on, fashion trends will naturally evolve from generation to generation. Considering that a different perspective on fashion beliefs has had an impact on or benefited from fashion, While some argue that staying up-to-date with trends is unnecessary, others argue that doing so is crucial since it can give us a better understanding of what others are interested in these days and allow us to confidently express our own ideas.
The things that we want to find out more about in real life about fashion issues are how people give different values to fashion and how clothing impacts them. We want to find out about this in real life because it is important to understand the social and cultural implications of fashion. Exploring fashion aspects can help us understand fashion's purpose for defining identities, encouraging creativity, and influencing societal norms, which can be valuable. However, it could also lead to activities that advance inclusivity, diversity, and fair labor standards in the fashion industry and increase awareness of the significance of fashion and style. Furthermore, understanding how fashion affects people's choices and well-being can help spot consuming behaviors, figure out the psychological implications of fashion, and encourage proper spending on clothing that is more necessary than buying clothes for fun and not using them for anything else. This can also help create activities to encourage body positivity, thoughtful consumption, and mental health in relation to fashion. For instance, Ang Bui believes that as fashion gives women more opportunities to express themselves and enhance their confidence, it plays an important part in their self-esteem, but when it comes to Suang U's, he didn't think it was necessary and even compared Thai women to sheep, and he also forbidden his children to do so as well. As a result, when it comes to understanding the influence of different values on fashion, it is possible for people to communicate their identities, values, and ideas without using words. Moreover, the study of practical fashion gives insightful information about the cultural and historical significance of clothing and style. Different cultures and societies have distinct styles, and as we can see, Saung U isn't comfortable with the idea of new fashion from western people; he thinks it isn't good enough as Chinese fashion, which is why he doesn't give any value to it.
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Research participant
We would like to express our utmost respect and introduce our research participant from the interview who works in a private company while he studies in a private university as well. We invite him to be our participant because he has his good sense of fashion, and unique preference which perfectly fits with modern-day society trend. Furthermore, we conduct a physical interview, and we ask him for a permission to record the whole interview session. Moreover, we ask him few questions regarding to fashion and impacts. Based on his own perceptions and experiences, he would rather prefer his own style or cultural preference, and how would it impact to his social life experience.
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Research questions
01.
In your opinion, how do you define fashion?
02.
To what extend, would you follow your own preferences?
03.
How does it impact you, is it good or bad?
04.
How would you react to the fashion impacts from society?
05.
From your perspectives, what are your suggestions to others regarding your fashion style?
