Fashion is a style or practice of dress or behaviour that is in line with current trends. It is also the process of designing and making clothes and accessories. Fashion is an important part of human culture and is usually dictated by social and cultural norms. It can also be used as a tool for self-expression and identity.
The industry is highly globalized, with clothing often being designed in one country, produced in another, and sold in yet another. This means that fashion is also a form of cultural diffusion, with certain styles and designs becoming globally popular while others quickly disappear from view.
Some people make a living from fashion by selling clothing, accessories, and shoes that follow recent trends. Others work in journalism, providing commentary and critique on the latest fashions. Still others take a more creative role, working as designers to produce original garments or accessories that reflect current fashions.
Many factors can influence the popularity of a particular fashion trend or style, such as changes in society, technology, and economics. Other influences can be environmental, such as the season or weather, or they can be related to events or movements in history. Fashion can even be dictated by a celebrity, with some famous people becoming style icons that everyone follows.
Some fashion items may be used to signal wealth or status, with designer brands and high-end materials being used to create a perception of exclusivity. Other trends may be inspired by political or social events, or created to challenge dominant cultural values. For example, the rise of ripped jeans as a fashion statement was partly fuelled by rebellion against the perceived elitism of straight-laced fashionistas.