Fashion is a multifaceted concept encompassing personal expression, cultural significance, innovation, practicality and economic impact. It can be defined as the art of designing and constructing clothing and shoes influenced by contemporary or historical cultural aesthetics. Fashion is a popular and rapidly changing mode of dressing that may be characterized by a sense of style and flair.
The fashion industry consists of the global apparel and footwear industries that design, manufacture, market and sell clothes and other accessories. Until the mid-20th century, most garments were designed and made for individual customers, either by dressmakers or tailors. But with the invention of new technologies such as the sewing machine and loom, and of new economic factors like global capitalism and mass consumer culture, the ability to make and sell cloth at standardized prices began to become the norm.
Today, the term “fashion” applies to any widely accepted style of wearing clothing or a manner of dressing that is popular at any given time. The term is derived from the Latin word modus, meaning “mode of wearing,” but is often used to suggest an elegant and sophisticated taste, while the terms vogue, rage and craze suggest widespread acceptance of a fashionable trend.
When it comes to fashion, a person’s style is a reflection of their personality and interests. Some people’s styles are influenced by what is currently in fashion, while others look to designers and celebrities for inspiration. Fashion can also be influenced by ethnicity, social class, age, occupation or location.