Fashion is a multibillion-dollar global enterprise dedicated to the design, production and marketing of clothing. The term ’fashion’ refers to the specific styles of clothes worn at any given time, but the lines between high fashion and mass-produced garments often blur. What is considered fashionable depends on both individual taste and social acceptance; for a style to be considered ‘fashionable’ it must have been adopted by the majority of consumers.

The ephemeral nature of fashion means that popular styles quickly fade from view. This can cause a lot of heartache for people who have invested in expensive designer clothes, only to see them appear démodé in the window of their favorite store. However, some trends never die completely, and they can be revived with a new twist or material. For example, flare pants which were popular in the 90s can be re-created by adding some boho touches like lace or painted pockets.

One of the key characteristics of fashion is that it is closely linked to celebrity and cultural status. Musicians and other cultural icons can inspire a new style, as can political figures and royalty. For this reason, fashion editors and buyers often act as gatekeepers to decide what will be fashionable at any given time.

Fashion is also closely connected to the media and advertising hoardings, which can influence the consumer. This can be especially true when a certain brand is associated with a particular type of style.