In all societies the body is 'dressed',and everywhere dress and adornments play symbolic and aesthetic roles. If you look at the history and even now clothing and style has firm grip over people's thinking and interpretation in our society,however,it has changed drastically over the years.
Earlier times,in many countries purple,the color representing royalty,was to be worn by no one else. And of course,dress has always been used to emphasise the wearer's beauty. Dress distinguished rich from poor,rulers from ruled,working people wore more wool and no silk,rougher materials and less ornamentation than their masters.
Nowadays, fashion trends sets people's mindsets. For example, in western countries white wedding dress symbolising purity; black clothing indicating remembrance for a dead relative. However, countries like India it is opposite, white is worn on someones passing. In present times, different wardrobes are used for various profession as well, for instance, black suits for lawyers, salesman usually wear tie, labors and and low level workers wear uniforms.
In conclution, i would say there is huge difference in fashion now and than and has an incredible impact on our society throughout history.
