Fashion is a form of autonomy and self-expression in a certain time and place and at a certain context, of apparel, footwear, life, cosmetics, hairstyle, body language, and accessories. It is the general term used to describe all aspects of the visual arts, which usually have their origins in the humanities or aesthetics but have flourished into a major art form over the last century. The word itself indicates a certain style defined by fashion that is what is currently fashionable. The reason why the term has developed into a common language is because of the increasing influence of the media on fashion, making it possible for the visual arts to communicate and compete with advertising.
The history of fashion goes back as far as ancient history, when people only wore garments that were appropriate for the particular tribe they lived in. Clothing represented not only the social standing of the people, but also their wealth and status. Archaeology and anthropology provide evidence that tribal members change their clothes depending upon their location, as well as the changing tastes of the people in their tribe. During the course of time, fashion progressed from being a symbol of cultural identity to defining one’s own personality, in terms of clothing styles and trends.
While fashion trends are always changing, they are traditionally categorized into two main categories: formal and casual. Formal fashion generally refers to those outfits that are worn on formal occasions, such as weddings, awards ceremonies, and other formal events, whereas casual fashion generally refers to those outfits that are worn for everyday use, such as parties, beaches, and other informal occasions. Fashionable attire is also referred to as trend, because it indicates the public’s perception of a particular fashion trend.
The term formal attire covers almost all kinds of clothing items, even those that aren’t considered part of the uniform of formal wear. Trousers, shirts, jackets, suits, jackets, skirts, and blazers are some of the more common formal pieces of attire. Formal wear is most commonly associated with western countries, such as the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. But by no means does it exclude other countries and cultures. A person who is wearing an outfit described as casual fashion in another country may still be considered fashionable by his or her own standards.
A major influence of fashion among women is the way the clothes can be used to display societal expectations about women. A piece of clothing can either compliment or contrast a woman’s appearance, attitude, or character. That is why there are fashion icons, like Coco Chanel and Jackie Onasis, who created iconic clothing lines that are still popular today.
However, many women wear traditional and conservative clothing to blend in with their environments. Others choose fashion trends to stand out and be unique. Still others may consider themselves to uselessly fashionable, simply following the dictates of the society in which they live. No matter what kind of fashion a woman chooses, she is sure to enjoy the freedom that is provided by wearing clothes that suit her body type and match her personality.