Fashion is a form of popular culture and it can be seen in clothing, hairstyles, makeup, accessories, etc. It varies over time and between different cultures. It is also influenced by popular media, for example movies, music, advertising hoardings and newspapers.
People wear clothes to communicate their social status and belonging to a particular group. For example, judges wear robes, people in the military wear uniforms and brides wear long white dresses. The fashion industry is a multibillion-dollar global enterprise devoted to the design, manufacture and selling of clothing. It consists of haute couture (custom-made, exclusive clothing designed for models and celebrities) and mass-market apparel.
The defining features of fashion are rapid change and variety. Styles can be introduced by designers, picked up by trend-setters and then spread to the rest of society via the media. Fashions often reflect traditional or contemporary ideas of beauty and elicit emotional responses from the public.
In addition, the fashion industry is cyclical and trends repeat themselves over 20 years or so. For example, high-waisted jeans were once considered unfashionable and then became popular again after the introduction of the female birth control pill. For this reason, it is important to keep an eye on the trends that occur in your area and not follow them blindly. Remember, you are unique and what is attractive to one person may not appeal to others. You must look for a style that suits you and is in keeping with your personality.