Fashion is a general term that describes the styles and trends in clothing, footwear, accessories and cosmetics that are followed by a large number of people within a society during a specific period. It can be defined in many ways and is influenced by cultural factors, as well as by personal preferences. It can also reflect social and economic changes.
Fashion can be seen as a form of art, allowing individuals to express their own unique personalities through the items they wear. However, it can also be seen as a social process, with fashions often becoming a result of popular culture and media influencers, such as musicians, celebrities, politicians or royalty.
The fashion industry is a worldwide business, with designers creating and manufacturing clothes in various countries around the world, before they are sold at retailers or boutiques to consumers. The fashion industry is a multi-billion dollar global industry and a source of employment for millions of people.
Fashion is a constant cycle of change, with styles coming and going – like bell bottom jeans that went from fashion to out of style in a heartbeat – as tastes and perceptions evolve. Some styles are so popular in one era that they become dated or costumey in the next. But, the fashion cycle is expected to repeat itself every 20 years or so – so those low rise jeans will probably be back in fashion sooner rather than later.