Fashion is a generic term for any specific style, material, design, or effect of apparel and footwear during a particular time and place and at a given context. In its broadest sense, the word refers to a style defined by the fashion industry as what is stylish at that time. But more specifically, it can refer to a style that one associates with certain traits or attitudes. The most common elements that constitute the traits of a style are: freedom from restraint, disregard of the conventions of dress code, disregard of custom or traditional practices, disregard of gender roles, identification with a specific social group or nationality, and an attitude of independence and creativity. These attitudes can also be related to particular times, places, or themes.
The history of fashion is a long one, extending back to the earliest forms of dressing, weaving, and shoe making, all of which existed thousands of years ago. However, over time, the practice of creating and wearing fashionable fashions has undergone dramatic transformations, both in terms of the materials used and the processes of manufacturing these fashions. The silk and brocade were almost the only fabrics used in the past; other fabrics such as jute, cotton, hemp, and ramie were also used, but they were generally used as textiles for decorative purposes rather than practical ones. Moreover, shoe making and other processes associated with the manufacture of clothes remained largely localized, with little or no influence from other parts of the world.
Fashion developed gradually, first among elite classes in Europe, and then among lower class people in different countries. The popularity of such fashions waxed and waned in line with changing social trends. In earlier times, lower-class people’s fashions were characterized by modesty and deference to the customs of the time. However, with the rise of urbanization, modernization, and industrialization in the nineteenth century, these attitudes gave way to greater self-identity and mobility. Thus, clothing not only became a status symbol, but it was also seen as a way of expressing one’s personality and expressing oneself.
In this period of development, clothing not only served a utilitarian purpose, but it was also seen as a symbol of one’s social status. A well-dressed person could easily command a higher price for his or her labor than a poorly dressed one. In fact, silk was so valuable that royalty was known to wear elaborate gowns and breeches made of silk on important occasions.
One of the most significant changes in current fashion trends is the widespread use of sleeve tattoos, which are now popular not only among women but also among men. Sleeve tattoos, which usually feature detailed and intricate designs of floral patterns, celestial bodies, and star shapes, can either be partial or full. Full sleeve tattoos are generally of a size that fits snugly against the natural crease of a sleeve. They can be embroidered, etched, or printed, with designs including: fairy wings, hearts, butterfly, tribal, heart, stars, spider, flower, sun, etc.
Also used as decorative embellishments, beads and other objects, such as coins, pins, laces, crystals, pearls, and rhinestones, adorn various parts of a woman’s apparel. Silk and satin are both widely used materials for making shawls, hats, scarves, and gloves. Satin is often used to make a dressier style of garment, while silk can be used to create a softer style of garment, such as a pajama outfit. Scarves are often used as face veils, to protect the face and hair from the harsh weather conditions of the day.