Fashion is a broad term that covers a range of styles, materials, designs, and activities related to dressing. It includes the visual arts, theater, literature, and music. Fashion is often used to describe current styles, but it also has a broader meaning related to dress generally.
Fashion is a way of self expression and autonomy in a certain time and place and at a certain context, specifically of clothing, shoes, footwear, cosmetics, hairstyles, and physical body posture. The word itself suggests a style defined by the fashion industry when it comes to what is popular at the moment. Fashion trends are affected by social, cultural, and political forces and are affected by beauty products, clothing, and activities like sport and medicine.
Today, many people can identify with the sense of style that some cultures associate with fashion. Because of technological changes, the process of production has brought about many changes, which have impacted the definition of fashions. For instance, while fashions may be characterized as conservative in the past, they may today be very trendy. Fashions are now more individualized and even personalized. While some fashions reflect the historical evolution of fashion, there are still a number of trends that seem to have remained popular throughout the years.
The fashion industry, through its portrayal in print media, retail stores, advertisements, design projects, and television shows, has played a significant role in shaping modern individual styles. The images we see in magazines and fashion shows are typically those of women in their most popular attire, which may not even represent the majority of women in the world. Many fashions are determined by the season or the current times and trends. For instance, fashions become trendy for Spring in America but may remain static for much of the year in Europe.
In terms of gender, fashions tend to follow the trend setters. However, some fashions do become more popular among the opposite sex. The “hipster” culture of the youth is beginning to influence fashion trends, making fashions more popular among the younger generation.
The major fashion areas in terms of styles tend to include: formal, long gowns, party dresses, casual shirts, skirts and pants, blouses, formal tops, casual tops, jeans, jackets, body suits, shoes, and boots. Additionally, fashions have touched upon every industry and profession. They range from professional sports apparel to the clothing that is worn by caregivers and students.
