Fashion is a term used to describe the latest trends in clothing, footwear and accessories. It is a multibillion-dollar industry that encompasses the design, manufacture and sale of clothes and accessories. Fashion is also an important part of the culture of many communities and can be influenced by historical events, social movements, and even political and religious changes.
Historically, clothing has been both ornamental and functional. In modern times, the importance of fashionable clothing has increased to a point where some people even regard it as a form of art. The history of continual and accelerating change in fashion can be fairly reliably dated back to late medieval times.
The latest in fashion can be seen on the runways of Paris, New York or Milan or in high-end stores around the world. It can also be found in magazines and on the Internet. People who are interested in fashion often have a strong desire to look and feel good. This feeling may be fueled by a desire to express their unique personalities or just to enjoy the sense of accomplishment that comes from getting dressed in the latest styles.
While the style of a particular garment can change rapidly, the basic silhouette of a man’s or woman’s suit or dress typically does not. Nevertheless, in some societies and social situations certain garments can carry symbolic meaning, such as the use of Tyrian purple by Roman senators or a Hawaiian chief’s carved whale teeth.