The Evolution of Fashion
Fashion is the prevailing style of clothing, dress manners, and associated cultural practices that are followed by a particular society in a given time period. Fashion is a highly fluid concept, changing as societies change. The evolution of fashion is often influenced by significant historical events, or it can be seen as a response to external influences. Fashion also varies according to social class, geographical location and age groups.
For a style to be considered fashionable, it must have mass consumer acceptance and a large market. As fashion is closely connected to popular culture, it can be influenced by music, films and television shows. It is not unusual to see famous designers creating collaborations with musicians, or models wearing their designs on the runway during fashion shows.
In terms of the clothes themselves, the most important aspect of fashion is what it says about the wearer. A person’s personal style can show the world their mood, attitude and beliefs. It can communicate with the public in a subtle whisper or a loud, high-energy scream. It can create a sense of belonging and distance from others, displaying affiliations or rebuffing them. It can make people feel confident or awkward, and it can even define the era of the time.
In recent decades, print and online media have focused much attention on fashion trends. There are dedicated fashion magazines, such as Vogue in the US, and fashion-related segments on entertainment shows. There are even fashion blogs and TikTok videos that share advice and inspiration with millions of people around the world.