Self-expression through clothing: from philosophical contours to social practices

   Relevance. In modern society, self-expression is a fundamental need. Clothing, as one of the most accessible and effective ways to convey one's uniqueness, serves as a kind of social calling card. A comprehensive understanding is needed of how the everyday practice of choosing and wearing clothing reflects profound philosophical searches for identity and meaning, as well as how these practices are shaped and transformed by contemporary social and technological realities.

   The purpose of this work is the sociological verification of the influence of clothing style on self-expression, self-awareness and identity formation of student youth.

   Objectives: to assess the attitude of students towards modern fashion trends; to analyze the role of clothing in shaping the identity of students; to explore the factors influencing the process of self-expression of students through their own clothing style.

   Methodology. The research methodology is based on a synthesis of theoretical concepts developed within philosophy, sociology, and psychology, employing general scientific methods such as comparative analysis, synthesis, and analogy. The empirical basis of this work is the results of the author's sociological survey conducted using a questionnaire (N=361).

   The results of the study confirmed the initial thesis that young people identify clothing as one of the main ways of self-expression and the formation of their identity.

   Conclusions. Youth clothing style can be seen as a significant sociocultural phenomenon, which young people actively use to navigate the complex process of self-discovery, interaction with society, and asserting their place in the world.

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