Fashion is a cultural phenomenon that describes the way people dress. It is influenced by past and present events, by society’s values, by the media and most importantly by us, the consumers. People are constantly looking for ways to enhance their looks. Some of them find ways to do this by wearing the latest styles and trends. These styles and trends are not only for a better appearance but they also serve many purposes like identity, self-expression, social status and group belonging.
In the past, clothing was often made specifically for individual people, such as in the case of haute couture, which is clothes that are hand-made to order for celebrities or special occasions, but in modern times most clothes are designed for the mass market and manufactured by large clothing companies. Some of these are sold at department stores while others are sold online or through specialty stores. Clothes are usually categorized as being “in fashion” or “out of fashion.” In general, styles that are considered to be in fashion change with time and may be repeated for a period of years.
Some people prefer to follow fashion, consciously or subconsciously, whereas others are more likely to ignore it and stick with their own style. Fashion is not only for clothes; it can include hairstyles, makeup and even language. The choice of a particular language or pronunciation is often considered to be an expression of one’s personality.
Generally, fashion changes with society’s values, and this can influence the economy. For example, people in wealthy societies are more likely to spend money on clothing and accessories, while those in poorer societies tend to save money and only buy essentials.
Fashion is closely connected with identity and social class, as illustrated by the way that judges wear robes and members of the military are given uniforms. In addition, certain clothes are worn to signify membership in groups such as goths, skaters and preps. For example, a boy with green hair and multiple piercings is likely to be perceived as a member of the Goth subculture by other members of that group. Similarly, a girl in a baggy shirt with lots of piercings and tattoos is likely to be seen as a member of the hip-hop culture by other members of that culture.
The main factor that influences fashion is media. This can be through magazines, TV shows, movies and music videos. For example, a new fad in fashion might be popularized by the media showing celebrities and other famous people wearing them. It might also be a result of social pressure as in the case of the bare midriffs and tight jeans that first appeared on teenagers in England and then spread to America.
Other factors that influence fashion include economics, ethnicity and history. For instance, in the past it was common for fashion to be influenced by foreign cultures, such as when Europeans began to wear silk and other exotic fabrics.