(Don't worry, I'm not asking you to read all of these books, although I would definitely recommend them!)
Happy Valentine's Day!
Are you a bookworm? I definitely am! I love to read, but it's hard to fit in quality reading time during a busy week. I find that weekends can be a great time to relax and catch up on blogs, books, articles, etc. I enjoy learning about a wide variety of subjects, but in recent years the fashion industry has been a recurring theme in my reading materials. I figured if I'm going to be a regular participant in this industry, it might be a good idea to know what's going on.
The following articles are interesting and very thought-provoking (at least in my opinion). Some of them are a bit older, but their information is still relevant. I would love to hear your thoughts on any or all of them!
Problems with Christian Fashion Week by Whitney Bauck
I had no idea that there was a Christian Fashion Week until I read this post. What do you think of this concept? I think it's a great idea in theory, and I love that they dedicate some time to prayer, but I agree with the author on many points. Biblical principles indicate that there is far more to a Christian perspective of clothing and fashion than just modesty. To her list, I would also add materialism, since that is a prominent idol in our society. Do you think that a separate Christian Fashion Week could create too much of a Christian "bubble?"
Is Disposable Fashion Worth the Price? by Kristin Tillotson
If there is a fashion-related topic that gets me fired up, it's this one. Human beings were created to be stewards of God's creation, and instead we're destroying it. I don't think enough attention is given to this very real concern. I'll admit that as a budget shopper, I sometimes purchase clothing at fast-fashion retailers such as H&M and Forever 21. While I am not the kind of person who wears a garment once or twice and then throws it away, I am guilty of being a part of the system and looking for those super cheap deals. As a consumer, what do you think is the best way to approach the fast-fashion cycle?
What Your Clothes Say About You by Libby Kane
I find the psychology behind clothing so fascinating! Ok, I might be nerding out a little bit, but this is a topic that applies to everyone. After all, we all wear clothes. While this article does not cite many scientific studies, it brings up some really interesting ideas. Which, if any of these ideas, do you think hold true? What does your clothing say about you?
Compulsive Shopping: When Spending is Like Substance Abuse by Elizabeth Landau
More psychology, but on a much more sobering topic. It's sad that we live in a society where a shopping addiction can be a real problem, but that's our current reality. Shopping oneself into debt could be just a series of poor decisions, or it could be a much more serious problem. On a somewhat related note, do you think that consumers benefit at all from the way that shopping is glorified in our culture?
