Fashion is a set of cultural practices and symbols that reflect societal trends, attitudes and ideas. Historically, changes in fashion often coincided with political events and social movements that occurred around the world. Today, the fashion industry is a multibillion dollar business that encompasses clothing design and manufacturing as well as retailing and advertising. In modern times, fashion influences and is influenced by many other factors in addition to current political and social situations.

Fashion varies by age group, social class, generation and occupation. In some cases, a person’s choice of clothes can also be influenced by his or her level of education. For example, students in their adolescent years might try to establish an individual style that is consistent with their own interests. Similarly, people who have high status may be seen as role models by their peers. This can cause some people to follow their lead and begin wearing the same clothes, if the outfits are attractive.

The terms fashion, style, mode, vogue, fad and rage all mean the popularity of certain ways to dress or behave. Often, these fashions are short-lived and may disappear as quickly as they arrived. This is because new styles can be introduced by the discovery of items from other parts of the world or by changes in culture, such as the adoption of an art movement or the emergence of a different type of music. Alternatively, an old style that has been forgotten about may suddenly become popular again if it is revived by a popular culture figure.