“Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months.”
- October 16, 1854 – November 30, 1900
- Irish
- Author, poet, playwright
- Written novels, plays, and poems such as “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” “The Importance of Being Earnest,” and “Salome,” he had a great influence on British literature in the late 19th century through his witty social criticism and humor.
Quote
“Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months.”
Explanation
In this humorous and critical quote, Oscar Wilde offers a scathing view of fashion as a superficial and ever-changing phenomenon. He suggests that fashion is inherently ugly, not in a literal sense, but in how it forces people to constantly chase after fleeting trends. The need to alter fashion every six months, according to Wilde, reflects how its transitory nature makes it an intolerable and artificial construct, one that people feel compelled to follow even though it offers no lasting value. His words imply that the pursuit of beauty through fashion is ultimately futile, as what is considered fashionable one season quickly becomes outdated and undesirable the next.
Wilde’s critique of fashion also connects to his broader philosophy on artificiality and superficiality in society. He often explored how societal norms, especially those related to appearance and outward behavior, can be driven by empty or shallow values rather than deeper principles of beauty, authenticity, or personal expression. For Wilde, fashion exemplifies this, constantly evolving in ways that reflect more of society’s desire for change and novelty than any inherent aesthetic or timeless beauty.
In modern times, Wilde’s quote still resonates in discussions about the cyclic nature of fashion and consumerism, particularly the constant pressure to buy into new trends. It serves as a reminder of how fleeting and unsatisfying this pursuit of external beauty can be, encouraging us to think critically about the superficiality of following trends for their own sake and to focus instead on what truly endures and brings lasting value in our lives.
