Fashion is a prevailing style or trend in clothing, accessories, makeup, hairstyle and lifestyle. It is a dynamic and fluid phenomenon that changes continuously and differs across cultures. It can be influenced by cultural social and economic factors, as well as by music, art and media. Fashion has been used throughout history as a form of self-expression, as a means to communicate ideas and ideals, and as a way of demonstrating solidarity with a particular group or society.
It is often assumed that changes in Fashion reflect societal change, and that the financial interests of fashion designers and manufacturers drive these changes. Recent research, however, indicates that there are also “internal taste mechanisms,” which may lead to fashion trends without significant societal influence or the need for commercial promotion. For example, the popularity of a certain color or type of fabric may spread among a group of people simply because they like it, and this liking is often based on innate personal preferences.
The evolution of Fashion has been closely linked to changes in culture and technology, as well as the economic conditions of a time. For example, the invention of papermaking allowed fashion magazines to be printed and distributed, and the advent of cheap color printing enabled many more people to have access to these publications. In addition, the growth of the textile industry boosted demand for fabrics such as silk and cotton, which could be used to create fashionable clothes.
It has been argued that shifts in fashion are a result of an attempt to create new identities and express creativity by designers as well as consumers. Some have criticized this aspect of the fashion industry, asserting that it promotes materialism and is exploitative of ordinary consumers.
Popular fashions are hard to trace, as is their origin. How did bell-bottom jeans make it from the streets of England to Paris and the runways of New York, or how did baggy pants become so widespread as to be considered a fashion trend? It is not uncommon for fashion trends to begin with one or two designers, who produce and sell a line of clothing with a unique look. These designs are then copied by manufacturers who sell the clothes at a fraction of the original designer’s price to a larger market.
Fashions also tend to be influenced by the popular styles of celebrities, sports figures and other public personalities. It is not uncommon for newspapers and magazines to publish articles on what celebrities are wearing. Likewise, television shows frequently feature fashion segments. This reflects the importance of the media in driving fashions. These trends can be quite rapid and can affect a wide range of markets. In some cases, fashions can even be influenced by the weather. For example, colder temperatures can prompt the wearing of heavier sweaters and jackets, while hotter weather encourages the use of light-weight clothing and accessories.