---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Once upon a time, fashion was complex…"
description: "\"Once upon a time, fashion was complex, and ostentatious was considered better.\" — Masaba Gupta"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/557/masaba-gupta-6003_better_once-upon-a-time-fashion-was-complex-and_1216511.jpg"
---

#  Once upon a time, fashion was complex, and ostentatious…

![“Once upon a time, fashion was complex, and ostentatious was considered better.” quote by Masaba Gupta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/557/masaba-gupta-6003_better_once-upon-a-time-fashion-was-complex-and_1216511.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/557/masaba-gupta-6003_better_once-upon-a-time-fashion-was-complex-and_1216511.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/557/masaba-gupta-6003_better_once-upon-a-time-fashion-was-complex-and_1216511.jpg)

> “Once upon a time, fashion was complex, and ostentatious was considered better.”

[Masaba Gupta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaba-gupta/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Fashion trends shift from ornate excess to minimalist simplicity over time.

**In simple terms:** Fashion used to be elaborate; now it’s simpler.

Key Takeaway

Embrace evolving styles and personal expression.

Themes

fashion culture history minimalism self‑expression

Mood

inspired analytical

Type

cultural trend

When to use this quote

- runway shows
- personal wardrobe updates
- design education
- media analysis
- trend forecasting

Key Concepts

design evolution cultural shifts consumer behavior

Questions to Reflect On

- What drives the move toward minimalism?
- How does personal identity influence fashion choices?

A Different Perspective

Risk of losing cultural heritage in simplification.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better/) [Complex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complex/) [Complex Ostentatious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complex-ostentatious-3709792/) [Fashion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fashion/) [Fashion Complex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fashion-complex-3709791/) [Once](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/once/) [Ostentatious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ostentatious/) [Ostentatious Considered](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ostentatious-considered-3709793/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Time Fashion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time-fashion-2082102/)

## Related quotes

> [In the '70s, if anything, it was a more interesting time in fashion. It was a time when things were changing, especially in London.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rei-kawakubo/in-the-70s-if-anything-it-was-a-more-interesting-time-in-fashion-it/)

[Rei Kawakubo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rei-kawakubo/)

> [Art produces ugly things which frequently become more beautiful with time. Fashion, on the other hand, produces beautiful things which always become ugly with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-cocteau/art-produces-ugly-things-which-frequently-become-more-beautiful-with/)

[Jean Cocteau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-cocteau/)

> [With time, fashion has become part of my DNA.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-cavalli/with-time-fashion-has-become-part-of-my-dna/)

[Roberto Cavalli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-cavalli/)

> [When a popular phenomenon reaches the cover of 'Time,' it is already out of fashion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-holloway/when-a-popular-phenomenon-reaches-the-cover-of-time-it-is-already-out/)

[Richard Holloway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-holloway/)

> [This is a time where fashion and style go against what I would rather do myself. So I have to pick and choose from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-i/this-is-a-time-where-fashion-and-style-go-against-what-i-would-rather/)

[T.I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-i/)

> [Now is the most exciting time in fashion. Women are controlling their destiny now, the consumer is more knowledgeable, and I have to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-de-la-renta/now-is-the-most-exciting-time-in-fashion-women-are-controlling-their/)

[Oscar de la Renta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-de-la-renta/)

> [I've never been in New York for the whole time of Fashion Week.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-chastain/i-ve-never-been-in-new-york-for-the-whole-time-of-fashion-week/)

[Jessica Chastain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-chastain/)

> [I get told all the time that I'm a fashion icon now, but I don't really know what that means. I just get dressed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-momsen/i-get-told-all-the-time-that-i-m-a-fashion-icon-now-but-i-don-t/)

[Taylor Momsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-momsen/)

> [They've listed my name in the dictionary - 'Imeldific' is used to mean ostentatious extravagance... But the truth will prevail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/imelda-marcos/they-ve-listed-my-name-in-the-dictionary-imeldific-is-used-to-mean/)

[Imelda Marcos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/imelda-marcos/)

> [I think I have in fact been situated in most of the squares on the political checkerboard, one after another and sometimes simultaneously: as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-foucault/i-think-i-have-in-fact-been-situated-in-most-of-the-squares-on-the/)

[Michel Foucault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-foucault/)

> [The miserable consumption of the poor is partly the result of the ostentatious demands of the rich. There isn't enough for both, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kenneth-galbraith/the-miserable-consumption-of-the-poor-is-partly-the-result-of-the/)

[John Kenneth Galbraith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kenneth-galbraith/)

> [For me to think in terms of employing security seems ostentatious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/for-me-to-think-in-terms-of-employing-security-seems-ostentatious/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Moderation is an ostentatious proof of our strength of character…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/moderation-is-an-ostentatious-proof-of-our-strength-of-character/)

[Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/)

> [The afrit batted his eyelashes with a ostentatious lack of concern. "Indeed? Have you a name?" "A name?" I cried. "I have MANY names!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-stroud/the-afrit-batted-his-eyelashes-with-a-ostentatious-lack-of-concern/)

[Jonathan Stroud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-stroud/)

> [Critics are always complaining about the materialism of hip-hop and accusing the artists of living way above their means. But this ostentatious sort of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-de-pury/critics-are-always-complaining-about-the-materialism-of-hip-hop-and/)

[Simon de Pury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-de-pury/)

## More by Masaba Gupta

> [For me, three vacations is more value-for-money than a mandap with diamonds on it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaba-gupta/for-me-three-vacations-is-more-value-for-money-than-a-mandap-with/)

[Masaba Gupta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaba-gupta/)

> [I do my own make-up always; I never let anyone else do it. It's quite simple, just eyeliner and a bit of lipstick.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaba-gupta/i-do-my-own-make-up-always-i-never-let-anyone-else-do-it-it-s-quite/)

[Masaba Gupta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaba-gupta/)

> [I can't wear a sari to save my life. So when I'm designing them, I know what I want: it definitely has to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaba-gupta/i-can-t-wear-a-sari-to-save-my-life-so-when-i-m-designing-them-i-know/)

[Masaba Gupta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaba-gupta/)

> [Very little thought goes into making this stuff I make. It is on impulse. I think of colors all day and suddenly if I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaba-gupta/very-little-thought-goes-into-making-this-stuff-i-make-it-is-on/)

[Masaba Gupta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaba-gupta/)

> [For women looking to dress up on a budget, a jacket is a good investment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaba-gupta/for-women-looking-to-dress-up-on-a-budget-a-jacket-is-a-good/)

[Masaba Gupta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaba-gupta/)

> [I believe getting rid of the divide between men and women will truly establish what it is to be equal. Fashion is increasingly acting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaba-gupta/i-believe-getting-rid-of-the-divide-between-men-and-women-will-truly/)

[Masaba Gupta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaba-gupta/)

> [I think Calcutta is that kind of a market that if you are a Delhi or a Bombay designer, they feel they are being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaba-gupta/i-think-calcutta-is-that-kind-of-a-market-that-if-you-are-a-delhi-or/)

[Masaba Gupta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaba-gupta/)

> [I wanted to be anything but a designer. I was not willing to enroll into fashion school. It is just because that was the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaba-gupta/i-wanted-to-be-anything-but-a-designer-i-was-not-willing-to-enroll/)

[Masaba Gupta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaba-gupta/)

> [Calcutta is a very culturally-forward city. People encourage art, music, literature and I just feel like that's a city that looks for experiences over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaba-gupta/calcutta-is-a-very-culturally-forward-city-people-encourage-art-music/)

[Masaba Gupta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaba-gupta/)

> [Fabrics such as raw silk, velvet, shimmer, satin and georgette work well for the wedding season.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaba-gupta/fabrics-such-as-raw-silk-velvet-shimmer-satin-and-georgette-work-well/)

[Masaba Gupta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaba-gupta/)

> [I want to be the Tory Burch of India - never once moving from my aesthetic, but offering a story and putting a print…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaba-gupta/i-want-to-be-the-tory-burch-of-india-never-once-moving-from-my/)

[Masaba Gupta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaba-gupta/)

> [I would love to design a car. And shoes, like funky Keds maybe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaba-gupta/i-would-love-to-design-a-car-and-shoes-like-funky-keds-maybe/)

[Masaba Gupta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaba-gupta/)

> [Men aren't really conscious about what they wear. They are more interested in the fit and comfort and they don't want to wear anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaba-gupta/men-aren-t-really-conscious-about-what-they-wear-they-are-more/)

[Masaba Gupta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaba-gupta/)

> [I have changed drastically because I allow myself to not just grieve and feel down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaba-gupta/i-have-changed-drastically-because-i-allow-myself-to-not-just-grieve/)

[Masaba Gupta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaba-gupta/)

> [My childhood had much clarity. I didn't see abuse. I didn't see my parents bickering. I didn't live in a dysfunctional family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaba-gupta/my-childhood-had-much-clarity-i-didn-t-see-abuse-i-didn-t-see-my/)

[Masaba Gupta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaba-gupta/)

[Explore all 100 Masaba Gupta quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaba-gupta/)

## More Better quotes

> [If what I write is literature, I guess you'd better emphasize the 'litter.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lydia-lunch/if-what-i-write-is-literature-i-guess-you-d-better-emphasize-the/)

[Lydia Lunch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lydia-lunch/)

> [Everybody has their cliques, and I was very shy. I'm still very shy. Music opened up doors. I would get to my choir class,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-fonsi/everybody-has-their-cliques-and-i-was-very-shy-i-m-still-very-shy/)

[Luis Fonsi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-fonsi/)

> [You can't force people to feel in a certain way, and the sooner you understand that,the better. I feel everything has its way of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sidharth-malhotra/you-can-t-force-people-to-feel-in-a-certain-way-and-the-sooner-you/)

[Sidharth Malhotra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sidharth-malhotra/)

> [I don't believe in competitions between artists. This is insane. Who has the authority to say someone is better?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-arkin/i-don-t-believe-in-competitions-between-artists-this-is-insane-who/)

[Alan Arkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-arkin/)

> [The bigger the canvas, the better I do. I'm not so good at understated, kitchen-sink kinds of parts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/the-bigger-the-canvas-the-better-i-do-i-m-not-so-good-at-understated/)

[Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/)

> [The Little you Give !! The Better it Gets !!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-stanyer/the-little-you-give-the-better-it-gets/)

[Mario Stanyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-stanyer/)

> [A strong, durable Puerto Rican economy will leave the island better prepared to handle future natural disasters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-campos-duffy/a-strong-durable-puerto-rican-economy-will-leave-the-island-better/)

[Rachel Campos-Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-campos-duffy/)

> [In my first 100 days as Ontario's Minister of Transportation, I found a willing municipal partner in the City of Toronto that shares our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-mulroney/in-my-first-100-days-as-ontario-s-minister-of-transportation-i-found/)

[Caroline Mulroney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-mulroney/)

> [It hasn't been a conscious thing, like, 'I don't want to listen to a bunch of dudes,' but I genuinely like music by women…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soccer-mommy/it-hasn-t-been-a-conscious-thing-like-i-don-t-want-to-listen-to-a/)

[Soccer Mommy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soccer-mommy/)

> [Life is going to hit you some line drives, and sometimes you'll have to think fast. However, it's better to think first than to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bytheway/life-is-going-to-hit-you-some-line-drives-and-sometimes-you-ll-have/)

[John Bytheway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bytheway/)

> [I like to collaborate with other people for studio recordings because I believe collaboration, in any form, makes music better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-barlow/i-like-to-collaborate-with-other-people-for-studio-recordings-because/)

[Lou Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-barlow/)

> [Absolutely, you can improve and become better at toughness. It's a talent, but it can be acquired, too. I think of it like building…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-harbaugh/absolutely-you-can-improve-and-become-better-at-toughness-it-s-a/)

[Jim Harbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-harbaugh/)

> [Not having drops and not taking plays off, if I do that it will make everyone around me better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demaryius-thomas/not-having-drops-and-not-taking-plays-off-if-i-do-that-it-will-make/)

[Demaryius Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demaryius-thomas/)

> [Cara Delevingne and I took an eyebrow selfie. We both have prominent eyebrows, but hers are much better than mine. Maybe we should do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-poulter/cara-delevingne-and-i-took-an-eyebrow-selfie-we-both-have-prominent/)

[Will Poulter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-poulter/)

> [I never really look at it past one year. I look at last year and my whole goal is to be a better player…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trent-williams/i-never-really-look-at-it-past-one-year-i-look-at-last-year-and-my/)

[Trent Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trent-williams/)

[Browse all 17,085 Better quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Once upon a time, fashion was complex, and ostentatious was considered better.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Masaba Gupta"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaba-gupta/once-upon-a-time-fashion-was-complex-and-ostentatious-was-considered/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Better"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaba-gupta/once-upon-a-time-fashion-was-complex-and-ostentatious-was-considered/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/557/masaba-gupta-6003_better_once-upon-a-time-fashion-was-complex-and_1216511.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/557/masaba-gupta-6003_better_once-upon-a-time-fashion-was-complex-and_1216511.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/557/masaba-gupta-6003_better_once-upon-a-time-fashion-was-complex-and_1216511.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Once upon a time, fashion was complex, and ostentatious was considered better.” — Masaba Gupta",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Masaba Gupta",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaba-gupta/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Once upon a time, fashion was...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaba-gupta/once-upon-a-time-fashion-was-complex-and-ostentatious-was-considered/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaba-gupta/once-upon-a-time-fashion-was-complex-and-ostentatious-was-considered/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
