Fashion is a general term that describes the prevailing trends and styles in clothing, accessories, footwear, makeup and hairstyles. These changes can be influenced by cultural or historical events, by political and economic influences, and by new technologies and products. The way people dress can also be considered a form of expression or individuality. It is often thought that fashion changes cyclically, and that some styles go out of style and then return to popularity again at some point in the future.
The main thing to remember about fashion is that it is a social phenomenon. For something to be considered fashionable, it must have an audience that identifies with and emulates the look. This is why celebrities and other people with a high public profile are so influential in the world of fashion. They can inspire a whole new trend simply by wearing something different from what everyone else is doing. This can be a subtle shift in color or a completely new silhouette. Once the trend gets rolling, it can spread through the population very quickly.
Whether we are aware of it or not, we are all constantly influenced by fashion. We see it in the clothes that celebrities and other high-profile individuals wear, and we are constantly exposed to advertisements and magazine articles promoting particular brands or looks. Even the simple act of getting dressed in the morning can be a reflection of current fashions.
In many cultures around the world, fashion is a way to demonstrate status. For example, judges wear robes and soldiers wear uniforms, and brides traditionally wear long white dresses. Clothing can also be used to show allegiance to a group, as when sarongs were worn by Thai protesters during the 2007 coup.
People may also use fashion to express their creativity or sense of adventure. For example, in the 1960s, Mick Jagger and Jimi Hendrix inspired men to wear more casual clothing that reflected their personalities. The hippie movement of the same era influenced women to experiment with bright colors and patterns.
Fashion also changes with the discovery or rediscovery of new regions and their cultural traditions. The eighteenth and nineteenth centuries saw a number of fashions emerge that were heavily influenced by the culture of Turkey, India and China. This can be seen in the designs of lace and silks that became popular in Europe at this time.
In the end, it is up to each person to decide how much influence he or she wants to take from the ever-shifting world of fashion. It is important to remember that fashion is a way of self-expression, and that it should be enjoyable. Taking too much from the superficial side of things can make a person appear foolish rather than stylish, so it is always good to balance out trendy garments with solid accent pieces. For example, a wild print dress can be balanced with a solid cardigan or jacket, black pumps and a small clutch.