How do fashion and technology trends affect our work lives?
When you think of fashion it’s often easy to simply consider clothing and accessories; and although these both make up a huge proportion of ‘fashion’ we must not forget about other things that make up the industry.
Technology is one of the most under-rated and under covered areas of the fashion industry. We tend to think of our technology as commodities, when in reality they aren’t. Granted, technology is necessary in most business environments; but not to the extent that we use.
Mobile phones
Mobile phones are a primary example of us treating high-tech devices as a commodity. Nowadays anyone who has a business mobile feels entitled to the highest spec of phone on the market, complete with all the add-ons that essentially make the modern smartphone a pocket laptop.
When it boils down to it, all we actually need a business mobile to do is send and receive calls, text or instant message and pick up emails. But despite this the demand is there for the newest, most techy phone on the market.
The majority of business mobiles these days have the ability to download a plethora of apps. These apps allow us to do things like track our daily fitness routines, keep up to date with our friends lives via social media, have a bet – we can bet on a plethora of markets, including the Europa League, Premier League and many more. As such, business mobiles are far more than just ‘business’ mobiles.
Cars
Cars are no doubt one of the biggest and most expensive fashion statements any one person can make. There is a perception that cars bring with them a certain gravitas, that a more expensive car exuberates success. This is the reason that so many people spend so much money on a car when it essentially is nothing more than a mode of transport.
Along with the majority of the things in our lives have developed no end over recent years; this is again down to new technologies available to manufacturers. Similarly to mobiles, cars now have a number of add-ons that enable them to perform functions much beyond their critical purpose, convenient transport.
We’re currently still in the early stages however it’s not going to be too long before automated vehicles are rolled out to the general public. Once this happens it will give us a whole new, fashionable way to get to work.
Office fashion
This is regularly debated topic in offices all across the world, but what is the correct code of dress for the office? Many offices opt for the classic, yet still in fashion business wear (shirt and trousers). Where other offices have taken the modern approach, allowing employees to dress ‘smart casual’; which essentially means anything that isn’t a tracksuit.
The differentiation in these approaches may seem minimal, but to some people it does make a real difference. Some enjoy the uniformed approach of business wear. It keeps your wardrobe separate and means that everybody pretty much dresses the same. Nobody feels left out or as though they can’t afford the latest trends; similarly to the reason why school uniform is mandatory.
Other believe that the more casual approach to work wear allows employees to feel more comfortable and relaxed, which gives them the platform on which to flourish.
On the whole both fashion and developing technologies play huge part in our work lives, and will continue to in the future. Each time a new phone, car or pair of trainers is introduced you can be sure that people will be rushing to acquiring them in order to show off to their colleagues in the office.