Fashion is a style or trend in dress, hair, makeup and accessory choice. Throughout history, styles in clothing have changed from culture to culture. In modern times, fashion changes faster than ever before due to technology and globalization. A person’s fashion choices can be influenced by their family, friends and popular culture. Fashion is a form of self-expression and can be seen as a way to show one’s personality.
Fashions can vary significantly within a society according to age, social class, generation, occupation and geography. For example, older people who slavishly follow the latest fashions may be ridiculed by younger people, and a male wearing women’s clothing can be classified as “cross-dressing”. In addition to varying by age, fashion also varies over time with the rise of new fashion movements such as the Arts Deco movement in the 1920s and the Hippie movement in the 1960s.
The prevailing styles of clothes in a given culture can be affected by a number of factors, including the availability of materials and the economic climate. For example, the rationing of textiles during World War II caused people to become more careful with their purchases and to look for ways to make existing clothing last longer. Fashion can also be influenced by politics and events such as political unrest or natural disasters.
Clothing is the most visible and accessible way to express one’s personality. It can be a source of pride and self-esteem, as well as a sign of wealth and status. Many cultures have specific clothing that represents their identity, such as the robes of judges, military uniforms and wedding dresses. People can also wear clothes to signal their affiliation with a certain cause, such as environmental sustainability or a desire for peace.
A large part of fashion is dictated by the fashion industry, which includes designers, manufacturers and retailers. Fashion shows are held to showcase the latest trends, and magazines and newspapers offer editorial critique and commentary. These influences can be direct, such as when a celebrity wears a particular outfit, or they can be indirect, such as when the media focuses on a particular aspect of an outfit such as its color or fabric.
In addition to changing based on new developments, some fashions tend to repeat themselves. For example, the long, full-skirted dresses that were popular in the early 20th century are now back in style, albeit with slightly different cuts and fabrics.
The fashion industry is an international business with a presence in nearly every country. Consumers have a wide range of fashion options, from haute couture to fast-fashion stores selling inexpensive knockoffs of designer clothing. The ever-changing nature of fashion has lead to the creation of a new subcategory of clothing called sustainable fashion, which aims to reduce the environmental impact of clothing production and disposal. This movement is gaining momentum in developed countries with rising consumer awareness and increased regulation of the fashion industry. In the developing world, consumers are less likely to recycle their clothing and often have little access to sustainable options.