Fashion is a style of dress or behaviour that reflects a person’s culture or social status. It also shows a person’s attitude and can be positive or negative. Fashions may vary between cultures and can be influenced by significant historical events, new discoveries, or social movements. In addition, fashions change over time and can be spread globally through media such as books, movies, magazines, television, and advertising hoardings.

The most obvious and noticeable expression of fashion is clothing. Clothes show a person’s social rank and can reveal information about their background, such as wealth or ethnic origin. In addition, they are often used as a form of identification and tradition: judges wear robes, soldiers wear uniforms, brides wear white dresses, etc.

While some clothes are made especially for a particular person (such as haute couture or bespoke tailoring), others are mass-produced and sold in stores at standard sizes and prices. Generally, the more expensive and elaborate a garment is, the more “fashionable” it is considered to be. Fashions also differ between men and women, and between different ages, social classes, generations, occupations, and geographical regions. A person who follows the latest fashions is called a fashionista or a fashion victim.

Some people who have a high cultural status inspire new fashion trends by wearing distinctive and stylish clothing. These individuals may be regarded as role models by their followers. Similarly, the appearance of certain celebrities in popular films or music can cause a fashion trend.