Fashion is a concept and practice that encompasses everything from clothing to shoes, accessories, and makeup. It is the way that people express themselves, and the cultural signifiers of a group’s identity. It is often defined by a dominant aesthetic, or a set of signifiers that are popular at a given moment. This aesthetic is influenced by a wide range of factors, from social and political changes to the economy. It is also a highly globalized industry, with clothing being designed in one country, manufactured in another, and sold all over the world.
In order for something to be considered a part of fashion, it must be adopted by a significant percentage of a population. There is also a Catch-22 built into the concept, in that as soon as a fashion becomes commonplace, it quickly goes out of style and is replaced by a new trend.
As the world becomes increasingly digitized, it is becoming easier for trends to travel globally, as they are shared on Instagram and other platforms. This allows designers to create new styles that blend elements from different cultures and communities. As this happens, it can be difficult to trace a particular style’s origin, as culture and traditions are constantly changing.
In addition to the ability to move across borders and cultures, fashion has the power to absorb and refract social change and societal anxieties. For example, the miniskirt was once a symbol of vanity, but with the rise of feminism in the 1960s it became a sign of women’s emancipation and freedom to show their bodies.