Fashion is a term that describes a style or trends in clothing, footwear and accessories. It can also refer to the industry that produces these items, as well as the designers who create the styles. It is also used to describe a way of behaving or looking that a particular social group adopts as part of their identity. For a fashion trend to be considered fashionable, it must be widely adopted by the majority of the population at some time in its life cycle.
Throughout history, fashion has reflected cultural and social change. For example, a miniskirt could symbolize feminism and women’s rights to show their bodies while cassocks might be worn by nuns as a sign of renunciation of vanity. In addition to serving a practical purpose, fashion is a way for people to express their creativity and individuality.
The fashion industry is multifaceted and complex, with many different factors influencing styles and trends. The influence of music and film has always been important, but more recently, social media has had a significant impact. Fashion is also influenced by political and social leaders, as evidenced by the fact that newspapers frequently report on what Hillary Clinton or other prominent figures are wearing. Fashion is even influenced by weather, as evidenced by the fact that some seasons are hotter or colder than others.
Although it is difficult to define what constitutes a fashion, one characteristic that seems to be common to all is the fact that they are constantly changing. The ephemeral nature of fashion means that in the blink of an eye, a coat that is in style now will be out of style tomorrow. Fashions are also expected to repeat themselves every 20 years, which means that if you discarded your low rise jeans last year, they may be back in fashion next year!
Another factor in the definition of a fashion is that it must be widely adopted by the majority of a population at some point in its life cycle. It can be hard to see how a style goes from the streets of the Bronx to the runways of Paris, but it happens, usually as a result of social influences such as movies and television shows, music or art.
The earliest fashions were often made from expensive materials such as silks and velvets. These were not only symbols of wealth and status, but they also served to differentiate members of the upper classes from those below them. This is known as the trickle-down theory of fashion. It suggests that those with higher socioeconomic status set the trends, which eventually trickle down to the lower classes. In the past, this was evident in the fact that people in the 1700s pored over fashion magazines to learn what the elite were wearing. Today, it is arguably more prevalent in the way that people in every walk of life try to emulate celebrities and models. This trend is perhaps exacerbated by the fact that the internet has given people instant access to photos of the latest clothes.