Fashion is a term for clothing styles, trends, and aesthetics. It also refers to the industry that produces and sells these styles, as well as the people who create and consume them. Clothing styles often change, influenced by new ideas and new technology, as well as social and cultural changes. Fashion can be considered a form of self-expression and a way to identify with particular groups or cultures.

A person’s choice of clothes can reflect their personality, interests, and social status. It is also an important way to communicate with other people. Fashions can be created by individual designers or by manufacturers who design garments for the mass market. Clothing lines can be produced with a variety of materials, such as cotton, wool, silk, leather, and synthetic fabrics. Most clothing is designed to be worn over undergarments and other specialized apparel. The earliest evidence of constantly changing clothing styles dates to the late medieval period in Europe, though historians dispute the exact timing of the start of this phenomenon.

The modern fashion industry is globalized and diversified, with designers creating collections for both women and men. The collections are then manufactured in countries around the world, including those that are not traditionally associated with fashion. Fashion is also highly influenced by popular culture and media. Celebrities, athletes, politicians, and musicians often inspire new fashions, which can then be imitated by the general public.

Some people dislike the rapid pace of fashion, which they feel reflects aspects of capitalist society and encourages unnecessary consumption. However, other people enjoy the diversity and experimentation that changing fashions bring.