Fashion is a multibillion dollar global enterprise that makes and sells clothing. It is a complex industry that includes everything from high-end designer clothing on the runways of Paris and New York to cheaply made mass-produced clothes in malls and markets around the world. It involves millions of people who design, sew, glue, dye and transport garments to stores. In some developing countries, the fashion industry is a key stepping stone towards industrialization and provides employment for a large segment of the population.

The clothes we wear communicate many things about us, a fact that has been acknowledged since the beginning of time. Clothes mark a person as belonging to certain groups such as a tribe, class, race or religion. They can create distance between a person and others or draw them closer together. For example, a boy with green hair and multiple piercings might be perceived as a counterculture outsider by some, while other teens might admire him for his sense of individuality and rebellion against convention.

In general, fashion is defined as a style that a discernable proportion of the population adopts and follows for a period of time. This style often changes in response to significant social or historical events and can be influenced by what celebrities and other public figures are wearing.

Choosing what to wear can be an enjoyable and creative process. Most people go through an experimentation phase where they try different looks before settling on one that suits them best. Some people find it helpful to consult fashion magazines or online blogs to get ideas for what to wear.