What Is Fashion?

Fashion is a way of independence and self-expression in a certain time and context and at a certain time and place. The term more literally means a style defined by the fashion industry when it comes to what is fashionable. Although it is often used to describe the way a person dresses, it can also apply to the way one walks, acts, or communicates. The idea is basically that everything about one’s appearance is” fashionable”.

In the early nineteenth century, dress meant attire for men and women that were functional, utilitarian, and wearable. This definition continues to influence the way that we dress today, although, the twentieth century has seen the integration of fashion into the workplace environment. Dress is not only confined to dress worn by humans, but clothing worn or designed by people in other societies and cultures. For example, fashion is applicable not only to the way people dress, but also to what they are wearing on their heads, bodies, legs, arms, faces, etc. Thus, it applies universally to a variety of objects including jewelry, fashion accessories, clothing, and other things considered to be a part of the complete outfit.

The early 2000s brought rapid globalization and rapid urbanization and during this period, the fashion industry experienced major transformations. The informal rural economy began to collapse as rural workers moved to cities to seek employment and to meet the needs of the expanding middle class, which was comprised mainly of university students from developing countries. The result was massive dislocation of people, especially in the formal labor sector. The informal rural economy was further threatened by unregulated commercialization. Clothing and fashion became a distinguishing symbol of status and wealth. This has resulted in overproduction of apparel, resulting in the overloading of the market.