Fashion is a mode of self-expression and individuality in a certain time and setting and at a certain context, of dressing, shoes, fashion, clothing, cosmetics, hairstyle, body posture, and attitude. In its general usage, the word also indicates a distinctive appearance dictated by the fashion business as what is fashionable at that time. The popularity and endurance of fashion has been proven in most part through its adaptability to changing social mores and consumer needs. It is not at all limited to wearing of the latest fashion trends. Instead, fashion adds a certain attitude or “attitude” to the way one dresses. There is no such thing as timeless fashion.
Etymology Dictionary, web dictionary and other online sources list the meaning of the word as “a style or type of dress generally worn by people”. On the other hand, Oxford English Dictionary lists it as “a type of garment worn chiefly for ceremonial occasions; a dress, suit or cap designed especially for a particular event”. Fashion can also be used to mean the habits or approach to dressing that expresses a person’s attitude.
The meaning of the word can vary depending on the culture, region, age and social class in any society. The meaning of the word can also change depending on the situation, the age and gender of the person, the type of clothing worn, the time of the year, and the type of clothing worn by members of a group. For example, in some societies and communities, it is considered improper for a man to attend a women’s gathering (i.e. at the office) in a kimono.
A casual observation of the amount of clothes that are casually kept in closets may show that there are few women who wear a single piece of single-colored clothing. However, on an official level, there are always many fashions being showcased in the media, on fashion shows and during Fashion Week that involve only one color, one style and one material for the entire outfit. So if you ask someone the meaning of the word, they will most likely respond with a question mark. The answer to this question may even be dependent on whether they are a man or a woman.
In a way, fashion retailers are just following the latest trends and styles that are being viewed by customers as desirable. And because of this popularity, some people refer to high fashion as fast fashion. Fast fashion is often associated with hip hop culture, grunge, preppy, beach, biker, body-skimming, sporty, and other types of clothing that had quickly become popular in the past decade or so. And in the last few years, there has been a growing interest in fashion designers and retailers that showcase traditional, ethnic, tribal and vintage clothing.
So what does the term “high fashion” really mean? It has many definitions, but it usually refers to the more popular categories of women’s casual clothing, men’s swimwear, children’s garments, lingerie, shoes, handbags, jewelry, sunglasses, watches and accessories. High fashion may also refer to the art form or profession of designing clothing or providing clothing for a variety of occasions, depending on the definition of what “high fashion” means. And, just like the question posed earlier, there is no one definition for it. The term is used frequently by fashion experts, but there really isn’t one right way to use it. It’s actually a very open forum.