Fashion is a prevailing style in clothing, footwear and accessories. It can also include the prevailing styles of hair, makeup and body art. It can be influenced by culture and society, and is usually changed over time to reflect changing trends. Fashion can be used as a form of self-expression and social identification. Fashion is a major source of enjoyment for many people. Some people even earn a living by creating or selling fashion. It is estimated that over a trillion dollars are spent every year on fashion around the world. It involves millions of workers who design, sew, glue, dye and transport clothes to stores. People can also learn a lot about themselves and others through the clothes they wear.
Clothing reflects the personality and beliefs of the wearer. For example, a boy with green hair and multiple piercings may be classified as a goth or skater, while a man with conservative dreadlocks might be labeled as a prep. These stereotypes can create distance between groups and can affect a person’s career prospects. In addition, certain types of clothing are gendered. Men and women are often required to wear clothing that is designed specifically for them. The failure to do so can lead to sexual harassment and discrimination.
People often keep up with the latest fashions to display their wealth and status. They also may want to attract a partner with their sense of style. Some fashions become victims of their own success, becoming so popular that they are difficult to wear in other eras without looking dated or costumey.
The popularity of a particular style can be measured by how quickly it goes from being “in” to being “out.” New discoveries in the rest of the world can also inspire new fashions. For example, when the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries saw a rise in interest in things Turkish, it led to the introduction of Turkish-designed rugs, furniture, and costumes into Western culture.
Fashion can be a lucrative business. Designers, manufacturers, and retailers are constantly searching for the next big thing that will sell in record numbers. Many people find a lot of fulfillment and pleasure in being the first to try out a new fashion or trend. The pursuit of fashionable items can be an addictive behavior, like any other vice.
Other words that share the same root as fashion are mode, vogue, fad, and craze. Mode suggests a distinctive fashion that is widely accepted. Vogue indicates a fashion that is popular in a given time and place among those who are anxious to appear elegant and sophisticated. Fad and craze are more volatile, suggesting caprice in adopting or discarding a fashion. In the 1700s, folks pored over fashion magazines to see what the elite were wearing. They also looked at sketches of their neighbors to get ideas for their own clothing choices. This fascination with new fashions has continued into the modern era. Many television shows have fashion segments and there are a multitude of online blogs dedicated to analyzing the latest trends in clothing, makeup, and jewelry.