Fashion is a cultural phenomenon, influencing style and trends. It also reflects the way society, attitudes and values change continuously. Fashion is a creative industry and it can be used as a form of self-expression, or as a way to connect with other people in a particular community. It is also a source of confidence and inner delight for those who are fashionable.
It is difficult to trace the origins of popular fashion, because styles evolve constantly. However, some historians, such as Fernand Braudel, believe that the beginning of continuous and accelerating changes in clothing can be traced back to the late medieval period. This time marked a dramatic shortening and tightening of the female over-garment from calf length to barely covering the buttocks, accompanied by a narrowing of the waistline and the development of the famous top hat.
The emergence of new trends can be attributed to the changing lifestyles, and the growing influence of mass media. Musicians and other cultural icons often become fashion symbols, and their favored clothes are copied by younger generations. The same is true of political figures and royalty. For example, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and Princess Diana both had a great impact on American fashion during their lifetimes.
The fashion industry is global, with designers creating collections in one country and manufacturing them in another. Then they are sold in the market where consumers have access to them. Technology has also impacted fashion trends, as many people now have the ability to create their own designs in the comfort of their homes. This has led to the emergence of a new generation of fashion designers.