Fashion is a prevailing mode of expression, including customs, dress and language. It often reflects cultural values and may vary by region, social class, age or occupation. Individuals sometimes express their sense of style by dressing differently from others in a given culture, such as wearing a wig or using a particular accent. Dressing in a new or different style has also been used to indicate a person’s wealth, social status and social affiliations. In some societies, people show their cultural pride by wearing uniforms that identify with a particular group. This has led to the development of the terms “fashionista” and “fashion victim” to describe people who follow a prevailing trend.
In the modern world, fashion often revolves around clothing and accessories. The popularity of certain types of clothes can change rapidly, as do the attitudes toward them. The fashion industry is a massive business, with millions of people involved in the design, production and marketing of clothing. Fashion is also a form of artistic expression and can be seen in the way that people decorate their homes, paint their cars or carry themselves.
In order for a style to be considered fashionable, it must have a significant amount of consumer acceptance. This is usually achieved through what is known as a bell curve – a small number of innovators develop new styles, which are then picked up by a large number of what are described as influencers. This is a similar process to how some music or book genres become popular.
