Fashion is a prevailing style of clothing that serves as an expression of personal identity. It also serves as a symbol of social class and status. It is an ever-changing concept, absorbing influences and transforming itself through time. Fashion can be expressed through clothes, shoes, bags and accessories. It can also be demonstrated through the art of makeup and body language.
It is a worldwide industry with millions of people involved. Designers create styles, while manufacturers and retailers produce and sell them. Magazines and newspapers report on trends. People buy into the trends, either consciously or subconsciously, and follow them in order to be deemed fashionable.
Clothes serve many purposes, from gratifying vanity to signaling social and economic status, from identifying one’s gender to demonstrating devotion or adherence to a cause. The long dresses and veiled headgear that were the fashions of the Victorian era have been replaced by miniskirts and jeans culture. Fashion changes with events in society, and can reflect political or social movements.
In the past, the line between fashion and anti-fashion was distinct and clear, but now it has been blurred. For example, elements of tribal dress that were once considered anti-fashion are now incorporated into trends. Likewise, tattoos once associated with sailors, laborers and criminals are now part of mainstream fashion culture.
Experimenting with different styles is a good way to find your own fashion. But don’t forget to be true to yourself. You should always wear what makes you happy. You should also be careful not to overdo it and look sloppy or tacky. Most fashion experts will tell you that it takes years to develop a truly unique style, and they could probably tell you countless stories of the thousands of “terrible” outfits they wore before finding their niche.