Fashion is a style or way of dressing that reflects the social norms and culture in which a person lives. It consists of clothing, footwear, accessories and lifestyle choices, such as makeup, hairstyle and body posture. Fashion often changes with time and place, reflecting societal change and the economic and political climate. It is also considered a form of self-expression and autonomy.
People use fashion to communicate their personality and character, a reflection of how they view themselves. Clothes can reveal groups, such as goths, skaters, preps or herbs. They can also create stereotypes or distance between groups. For example, a boy with green hair and multiple piercings might be seen as a rebel by one person, while another might find him attractive. Fashion can also make a person look attractive or less attractive depending on how they wear their clothes.
Fashion can be influenced by politics, such as First Ladies Jacqueline Kennedy and Princess Diana. It can also be influenced by events, such as the liberal revolution of the 1960s in America. Another major factor that influences Fashion is technology. It can be influenced by the development of new fabrics, or by how a garment is made and used.
In addition, Fashion is a multi-billion dollar industry with millions of workers around the world. Some designers and manufacturers create fashions by designating certain styles as ‘fashionable’, but in practice most of the fashion that is consumed today is made by large conglomerates that determine which looks will be popular with consumers and then manufacture them.