What Is Fashion?
Fashion is a way of dressing, behaving or speaking that is popular at a particular time. Fashion is sometimes confused with style, but the difference between the two is that style refers to a unique look or manner while fashion encompasses an overall aesthetic and trend. A person’s sense of style is an expression of his or her personality and individuality. Fashion trends change over time and vary by country, social class, generation and occupation. Fashion is often associated with glamour and can be used to portray a particular period of history or to evoke a specific mood.
The term fashion can be applied to clothing, footwear and accessories. It can also include the behavior and manner of dressing, hairstyles and the use of make-up. Fashion is often dictated by cultural factors, such as music and movies, but it also depends on the individual’s taste and personal style. Fashion can be influenced by the people who surround a person, such as friends, family and coworkers. It can also be based on current events.
Changing fashion trends occur constantly. Some fashions are exclusive to an individual, such as haute couture, and some are mass-produced for casual wear, known as prêt-à-porter. Garments may be made to order or custom-made, for example, when an individual is measured and fitted for a garment. When a designer creates and sells a collection of clothing to be sold in stores or online, it is considered a fashion line.