Fashion is a way of dressing that changes often. The word can also refer to a style of acting or writing that is popular at one time. The term fashion can be used negatively to describe someone who follows trends rather than creating their own look. It can also be used positively to describe a person who creates or wears something in an artistic or creative way.
A fashion can be a new type of clothing or a style of hair. It can also be a trend or fad in music, art, or social behaviors. A fashion is usually something that reflects the taste or culture of a particular group of people. For example, a young man with green hair and several piercings may be considered fashionable by some but not by others. A fashion can also be a style of acting or writing that is accepted by those who want to appear up-to-date and sophisticated.
It is widely believed that fashions change in response to societal changes or the financial interests of designers and manufacturers. However, some research suggests that there are internal taste mechanisms which drive fashions independently of societal or commercial influences. For instance, Stanley Lieberman studied the changes in first names and found that fashions in name choices are unrelated to parental pressure or commercial advertising. Fashions can be short-lived — in the blink of an eye that coat you bought may seem out of date — but classics such as the little black dress will remain in style for years to come.