How to Read Fashion Shows and Understand Their Symbolism — Real Talk for Curious Minds

Fashion shows often seem like an exclusive language only insiders understand. Strange silhouettes, dramatic makeup, slow walks in even slower clothes — what does it all mean? Is it just “fashion for fashion’s sake,” or is there a deeper message behind the spectacle? Here’s a real-talk guide on how to actually read a fashion show and decode the symbolism without feeling like you’re watching an alien ritual.

Let’s break it down together — no fluff, no elitist jargon, just a friendly and practical way to see fashion shows for what they are: a visual language that anyone can learn to speak.

Fashion Shows Are Not Just About Clothes

Here’s the first thing to get straight: fashion shows are not just there to sell jackets and boots. They are narratives. Every designer wants to say something — about society, beauty, identity, the world, or even their own struggles and dreams. Think of it like a short film, but told through fabrics and movement.

Take, for example, a show where every model walks barefoot through puddles. That’s not just a quirky runway gimmick — it might reflect vulnerability, rawness, a return to nature, or even a reaction to overconsumption. That’s where symbolism comes into play. Fashion is a mirror, often showing what’s happening around us in a stylized, exaggerated way.

If you stop thinking, “Would I wear this to brunch?” and start asking, “What is the designer trying to say here?” you’re already reading the show with a sharper lens.

Look at the Opening and Closing Looks

This might sound like insider advice, but trust — it’s gold. In most runway shows, the first and last outfits are key. They usually summarize the mood, the theme, or the “thesis” of the collection. The first look sets the tone. The last one? It’s often the mic drop.

Let’s say a collection starts with dark, heavy clothes and ends with something sheer and light. That’s not random. That could be a symbolic journey from despair to hope, from protection to exposure, from war to peace. Designers think like storytellers, and they use the runway as their stage.

So next time you’re watching a show, pay extra attention to those two moments. It’s like reading the first and last page of a novel to grasp the message.

Colors, Fabrics, and Shapes Carry Hidden Messages

You don’t need a PhD in fashion history to notice patterns. Just stay aware. Certain colors and materials are emotionally loaded — and designers know that.

Red often signals power, rebellion, or urgency. Think blood, love, anger. When a model walks out drenched in red, the designer is grabbing your attention with intention.

Transparent fabrics? They’re not just sexy — they can speak about vulnerability, exposure, or freedom. On the flip side, heavy leather or industrial fabrics might represent protection, harsh realities, or rebellion.

And shapes matter too. Oversized silhouettes can say, “I don’t want to be touched.” Tight, sculpted outfits might symbolize control, pressure, or even performance. Nothing is random, even if it feels absurd at first glance. Trust that the choices are calculated, even theatrical — that’s part of the charm.

Context Is Everything

Fashion doesn’t live in a vacuum. To really get what a show is about, look around — not just on the runway, but at the world. What’s happening politically, socially, emotionally? A lot of symbolism in fashion comes from current events.

For example, if a designer sends out models wearing face coverings or armor-like clothing during a time of global unrest, it’s probably not just an aesthetic choice. It could reflect fear, protection, or protest. Likewise, during economic booms, you’ll see more glitter, excess, and joy. During darker times, fashion often retreats into muted palettes and minimalist design.

Also, think about who the designer is. Their culture, personal journey, and history influence every collection. A designer with roots in diaspora communities might explore themes of identity, migration, or cultural loss — all through design choices you might miss if you don’t zoom out a little.

Read the Styling, Music, and Set Like a Film Scene

Styling choices — like wet hair, no makeup, or specific shoes — all add layers to the message. The music playing? Also intentional. A show set in a fake desert, with techno music and high-heeled combat boots? That’s not just cool — it’s possibly a comment on survival, modern femininity, or post-apocalyptic anxiety.

Every detail on the runway is part of a bigger picture. Together, they form a mood, and that mood holds meaning. Don’t ignore the set design or sound — they often shout the loudest.

Some designers even collaborate with artists, poets, or activists to create immersive experiences. If you catch those references, the symbolism unfolds even more.

In the End, Trust Your Gut

Fashion symbolism doesn’t always have to be academically decoded. If something makes you feel something, that’s valid. If a look reminds you of a protest, a memory, or a dream — that reaction is part of the show’s impact.

You don’t have to “understand” fashion in a textbook way. Sometimes you’ll just feel like a show is hopeful, or angry, or weird — and that’s enough. You’re reading it on an emotional level, and that’s real.

Fashion is art, and art is about connection. You’re not meant to get every reference. You’re meant to engage, to ask questions, to notice patterns — and maybe, to change how you see the world for a minute.