Fashion is a general term used to describe prevailing styles in dress and other aspects of personal style. Fashions may vary considerably within a culture, reflecting variations in social class, generation, occupation, and geography. Individuals also may have their own unique fashion, which they wear to distinguish themselves from others or indicating a certain lifestyle.
The earliest clothing was made from simple materials like cotton or wool and was worn in various ways to express a specific social status or attitude. The emergence of the factory system in the mid-19th century enabled more sophisticated textiles and clothing to be produced cheaply and rapidly. Fashion has been influenced by changes in the economy and world events, as well as by political, social, and cultural movements.
A person can be fashionable while dressed in clothes that are not of the latest trends, if they are comfortable and confident in their style. Many people follow a particular designer or celebrity and buy clothes that resemble their style. Fashions often spread through word-of-mouth or media coverage, such as in magazines and television shows. Fashion trends are also influenced by the era and culture in which a person lives, as evidenced by such things as hairstyles, jewelry, and music.
Although the popularity of clothes can change, the fundamental elements of fashion have remained the same. The modern fast-paced changes in fashion have some critics, who claim that the industry is driven by monetary interests and that the changing clothes serve no purpose other than to please consumers. Other people, however, enjoy the diversity that fashion offers and see it as a way to express their creativity and personality.