You lose yourself once you start to follow others.
A great empire can fall down to its knee once it allow itself to imitate others. The Ottoman Empire was once so powerful, the British saw it as a great challenge to its world dominion quest. We would be speaking Arabic now had Ottoman resisted the influence of the West. The strength of the Ottomans withered when it started to emulate the fashion of the British.
It was simple. How do you penetrate a strong empire such as the Ottoman? Their military armies were the best in the world, their spirit and love for Ottoman can never be waived and they will fight to the last drop of blood. The West quietly inject poison through its core instead. By introducing fashion.
The Ottomans used to wear Turkish garments, elaborate and proud with majestic turbans and beards. The West brought in suits – smart shirt, coats and trousers. It was just a small introduction which has domino effect onto everything else (amongst other things, of course). Once the people started to look to this new type of wear as modern and forward, that is when the society crumble from within. That is when the British ruled supreme, and when they make the whole world believe in the ‘White Supremacy’.
Being proud of who you are is an important essence of being truly you. Filter the influence that comes your way, know which one is good for you and your faith and which ones that need to be chucked away. It is alright to look up to a person whom greatly inspire you, but remember that it is more important to be who you are – a core being with your own depth, values and faith but enhance with the things which you see in others that you feel could positively inspire you.
I believe everyone has their own way to God, to Heaven and to the End. Not everyone can go through the same route – God has put us each in their own way but ultimately it should all lead to Him. Some may be rosier, some maybe merrier and some maybe dreadful. But in the end, what we all want is when we die, we smile at the flashback of our life.
p/s: I’m no historian so I believe all the historical anecdotes that people talk about in their speeches and talks. Hehe. Pardon me if there is any error with the historical context 
I hope I have not just bulldozed my way through history just to get my point across. Sheesh!
I really like this post =) Fashion is a way for people to express themselves and one’s taste in fashion is very easily influenced if one’s sense of identity is still blurry.
As much as I love fashion, I too was a victim of pop culture and materialism. Maybe I still am, but as I slowly begin to understand who I am and who I’m meant to be, those things seem to have less and and less meaning in my life. Fashion no longer dictates me! I am now free to use it as a means of protection, modesty and self-expression.
I get what you mean
love your phrase – fashion as protection and self-modesty.
I shift so easily from being a hijab covered girl to hats – with lil bit of hair showing
i know I shouldn’t and all that, but fashion can be so so tempting and they do look so so gorgeous. I try my best to at least have something on my head – hat, hoodie, scarf – and cover most of it. but when i comb and do my hair nicely, ohhh – so tempting to just go out!! what i usually do is i would go into camwhoring mode – it is satisfying. haha. vain!