Is fashion a liberating personal choice, or a sign that one is controlled and oppressed right down to the very decisions of what to put on in the morning?

Curiosity contributor Diana Bocco explored the impact of fashion on personal empowerment in this answer.

Countries such as Saudi Arabia, Bhutan and Sudan have strict dress codes for their citizens, and breaking the law can result in arrest and physical punishment. In these places, choosing to make a fashion statement can prove very dangerous.

Precisely because of this, fashion has become the weapon of choice for many people searching for empowerment. Many Muslim women living in Europe and the U.S. choose to wear the hijab (headscarf). While they have the right to make this decision, many other Muslim women don't get to choose whether to wear it or not. In Iran, women are required by Islamic law to wear a headscarf. The original law requires the headscarf to be black, but a number of women are showing their discontent with the mandate by choosing bright scarves and wearing them loose over their hair, rather than tight around the face as required by law [source: Treister]. For these women, fashion has given them a voice to show their discontent.

Of course, using fashion as a political statement is nothing new. The 1960s in the U.S. were riddled with examples of this. As many African-American men and women donned the bold patterns and colors of Kente cloth, they embraced the sentiment "Black is Beautiful." Some men and women also rejected chemicals and straightening treatments and opted for "natural hair." In fact, the "natural" or "afro" became a well-known symbol of African-American pride. And the new style became a powerful tool in the fight for racial equality.

Clothes have long been used as the unifying factor for some groups. The punk movement and the Goth movement are about more than just style. For people subscribing to these movements, clothes and accessories become part of their identity. Their extreme fashions are a way to rebel against what society considers acceptable but also a way to unite and empower their own subculture. On the other hand, uniforms such as those worn by police show how clothing can be used as a way to showcase state-sanctioned authority and entice respect.

But the extent to which fashion choices invite or discourage respect goes far beyond police uniforms. For example, some say high heels can help a woman feel more confident because they actually put women at eye level with their male counterparts -- something that can be beneficial in the boardroom and beyond. However, others feel high heels at work send the wrong signal and can make women look less professional [source: Coffey].

In the end, whether fashion frees you or oppresses you depends on how you use it and what you get out of it.