Fashion is a term that refers to a number of different styles, trends and ideas for the design of clothing and other accessories. These can include footwear, jewellery and cosmetics, but mainly they are about the creation of distinctive ways of dressing up (or down) as signifiers of status, social group, personal taste and identity.
It’s often said that fashion is what the majority of people are following at a given time, which could mean that something that has been popular for a long period of time can suddenly become out-of-fashion. However, this type of trend-following is not the only way to define fashion. Some fashion writers argue that a fashion must also be original, and must stand out from the crowd to be considered as such.
One of the most important parts of fashion is fashion journalism, which offers critique, guidelines and commentary on the current state of fashion. This can be found in many forms, from newspapers and magazines to television shows and social media. It is through these outlets that the latest fashions can be spread, and the latest trends are established.
Another essential part of fashion is fashion branding, which helps promote a specific clothing line or collection through writing. This can be done through blogging or YouTube videos, and is an effective way to reach a large audience of potential consumers. It is also often used to market a new line or collection of clothing, with the aim being to increase sales.
Finally, fashion is about self-expression. It can be as simple as choosing an outfit that makes you feel confident, or it can be more complex like expressing a political or philosophical belief through the clothes you wear. This is especially true in the case of high-end fashion, where designers frequently use their clothing to communicate a particular message or idea.
A fashion can also change from place to place, as cultural influences from outside a region tend to be incorporated into the style of local dress. For instance, the short skirts and boots of 1960s England made their way into the haute couture runways of Paris, while hip-hop culture influenced the baggy jeans and hoodies of the 1990s.
In some cases, a fashion can be defined by an insular and often wealthy aesthetic elite who make up a look that is then made exclusive through the use of trademarking and copyrighting. This is the case with some of the most well-known brands, which create a look that they then try to “own” by prohibiting others from using their name and logo. Whether this is done intentionally or not, the result is that there are sometimes very wide gaps between what’s considered to be in fashion and what’s out of fashion. However, a style that was once out of fashion can be swept back into it by being declared fashionable at some point in the future. This is what happened to classical lace, which was once considered out of fashion but later became the norm in bridal wear.