Relay Column: "Deciding to Become Yourself" – Style, Fashion, & Personality (Shinnosuke Okada)

The painter Modigliani is known for elongating the faces and necks of his subjects when he paints portraits. That is his style of representation. In the film "The Sky Crawlers" directed by Mamoru Oshii (2008), there is a character who meticulously folds a newspaper after reading it. That's his way of handling newspapers. A friend of mine has a unique way of using emojis when communicating on social media. That is her style of communication.

As seen above, when a person does something, there can be (whether consciously or unconsciously) a unique manner of doing it that reflects their individuality. Such a "manner" is generally referred to as "style." The individuals I mentioned earlier possess their own styles when doing specific activities (painting portraits, reading the newspaper, chatting). And of course, the way one dresses, or fashion, is one such style. Some may prefer a simple style, while others may lean toward a lavish and decorative one.

What I want to delve into is the relationship between fashion as a style and a person's personality (character, persona). Before discussing that, let’s introduce a philosophical perspective on style and personality.

Modern American philosopher Jennifer Robinson states that style can be seen as an expression of one’s character. In other words, "The way I dress, work, speak, and make decisions often expresses my personality, character, disposition, or sensibility" (Robinson 1985: 229). Here, she suggests that personality is the "input" that is then "output" as style. The speaker's "witty and intelligent mind" is expressed as their "witty and intelligent way of speaking," and their "uncompromising and courageous character" is reflected in their "uncompromising and courageous decision-making." Naturally, Robinson extends this to fashion: "My unrefined way of dressing would likely express my unrefined sensibility."

The notion that habitual and sustained ways of doing things, or style, serves as an expression of one’s personality is likely a perspective generally accepted in common sense. When someone repeatedly does something in a certain way, we perceive it as their style and find their personality within it. A person who speaks slowly and gently is considered to have a gentle character, and someone who writes in a round and charming manner is viewed as having an affable personality, and if otherwise, we might be taken aback.

However, I believe there is a perspective lacking in Robinson’s framework. What she overlooks is that fashion not only serves as a medium for expressing personality but that dressing in a certain style can change or at least influence personality. For instance, by wearing formal attire like a suit, we might feel more motivated or naturally inclined to take on responsibilities. Alternatively, in potentially tense situations, wearing loose, casual clothing can allow us to feel more relaxed. Here, I would like to point out that the arrows of "input" and "output" are reversed. Personality is not merely expressed through fashion; rather, fashion influences personality.