Fashion is a multifaceted concept referring to styles of dress and other aspects of personal appearance. It can also refer to the design and manufacture of clothing, as well as the merchandising and marketing of these items. In addition, it is a sociological concept reflecting the way in which individuals express themselves.

The evolution of fashion is closely linked to cultural changes and it has been suggested that shifting trends can be beneficial in terms of individual creativity, but can be detrimental in terms of excessive materialism. In addition, some commentators have argued that the way in which the fashion industry initiates and promotes new trends may be exploitative and counterproductive.

While there is often a distinction between the high fashion shown on the catwalks of Paris and the mass-produced clothes found in malls and markets around the world, elements of style that were once considered anti-fashion can become swept up in trends and reinterpreted as fashionable, for example the use of tattoos or baggy jeans by rappers. Fashion can also be seen as a form of art, with designers expressing themselves through their creations and the media interpreting these expressions.

In the past, the evolution of fashion was largely dictated by the production capabilities of European countries. Talented illustrators produced exquisite fashion plates for highly sought after fashion magazines, which were read and admired by a wide audience. As printing technology improved, however, these magazines became more widely available and affordable and began to have a significant influence on the way that people dressed.