Fashion is a prevailing mode of expression that varies according to the culture, time and the person. It includes a person’s clothing style, hairstyle, and makeup, as well as the way he or she speaks. Fashions change quickly, and the changes can be dramatic within a short period of time. In addition, a person’s fashion can influence those of his or her friends and family, as well as others with whom he or she interacts.
A person’s fashion choices can be influenced by the media, friends, family, and peers, as well as the social or cultural expectations of his or her time and place. This is especially true for a person in the adolescent stage of life, when a desire to express oneself often leads him or her to try new styles of dress. Fashions may also be influenced by the latest discoveries in science and technology, social or political events, or by the emergence of a new cultural trend.
The fashion industry encompasses the design, production, distribution, retailing and promotion of clothing, footwear, and accessories. It is considered a multibillion-dollar global enterprise. Some observers separate the fashion industry from the apparel industry, which makes ordinary clothes for everyday wear; however, in practice the distinction is not always clear-cut.
It is generally agreed that the modern fashion industry originated in the mid-19th century with the introduction of industrialization and mass production. Prior to that time, most clothing was made either by hand or on order from a tailor or dressmaker. Then, with the introduction of the sewing machine, cloth could be mass-produced in standard sizes and sold at fixed prices.
As the industrialization of the fashion industry progressed, designers began to experiment with designs and fabrics, leading to an ever-increasing variety of clothing choices. The development of the fashion industry was helped along by a growing number of magazines that focused on fashion trends, such as Vogue (founded in 1902), Harper’s Bazaar (founded in 1916), and the British edition of Elle (founded in 1933). By the 1950s, many women’s and men’s fashion shows appeared on television, as well as highly publicized appearances by famous people wearing the latest styles.
Some of the current trends in fashion are attributed to a return to comfort and casual dressing following the pandemic, as well as a revival of more sensual styles associated with the 1960s and 1970s, such as tight-fitting fabrics that highlight the silhouette, and miniskirts. Other trends reflect changing values, including a desire for simplicity and minimalism, often seen in the form of pared-back, uncluttered silhouettes, as well as social or environmental concerns. Some designers have even created a line of environmentally friendly fashion, known as eco-fashion.