What is Fashion?
Fashion is the style or manner in which a person dresses and carries themselves to reflect their personal aesthetic. It encompasses a wide range of clothing, shoes and accessories, as well as hair, makeup and body posture. Fashion changes quickly and it is difficult to define, but it is generally seen as a combination of trends in all areas of culture.
Clothing has the power to convey meaning through colour, texture and pattern, in addition to its shape and how it is worn. Fashion can also communicate mood and emotion, as well as social status and group affiliation. It is often influenced by historical and cultural events, and it can also be a way of asserting one’s identity.
People who create and influence fashion trends are known as ‘trendsetters’. This can include fashion designers, celebrities and other famous people. In recent times, the internet and blogging have made it easier for ordinary people to become trendsetters in their own right. Many people are able to create a look that is unique and different from the rest of their friends, and they can then become known as ‘fashion icons’.
As a writer, it’s important to be aware of the messages that are conveyed through fashion, whether you’re creating your own styles or using them as a tool for characterisation. To practice this, try looking at images of people and consider what their clothes tell you about them. It can be helpful to look at the clothing of characters in your favourite books as well.