Fashion is a popular way of dressing and expressing oneself. It is not limited to clothing and can include footwear, accessories, makeup, hairstyles, and other aspects of personal style. Fashion trends are dictated by social and cultural influences. Some examples of these trends are new materials, a change in the climate, or a celebrity’s influence on public taste.

The fashion industry has become globalized with design, manufacturing, and retailing occurring in many different countries. For example, a company in the United States may have an office in Paris to manage their European operations, while designers in Hong Kong work with manufacturers in China and Vietnam to produce apparel for sale in stores throughout the world.

Styles change rapidly, with fads and trends emerging and disappearing at unpredictable times. This is particularly true in the case of women’s clothes. Men’s styles, however, are less likely to change dramatically. In the past, new discoveries of exotic parts of the world might provide an impetus to change the fashions worn in Europe, but now globalization limits these possibilities.

Despite changes in fashions, certain stylistic preferences remain constant within a culture, and a particular individual’s tastes may be more or less conservative, depending upon their age, education, or class. For example, young people may have more liberal tastes in clothing than older individuals.

Musicians and other cultural icons have always been influential in fashion, but in recent years politicians and royalty have become especially important influencers. For example, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and Princess Diana influenced the style of dresses that were in vogue for high society events.