Fashion is an ever changing industry that influences culture and how people look. It affects our moods, and is a way to express ourselves. It has become a language of its own, and can be an understated whisper or a high-energy scream. Fashion can be a fun, and even therapeutic, activity. Creating outfits and accessorizing can boost dopamine levels in the brain, so it’s no surprise that most people who are interested in fashion enjoy it.
In this digital age, it can be hard to keep up with what is in style and what is not. However, the Library of Congress has many resources available to researchers that may be helpful in understanding the trends and history of fashion. This guide includes a list of suggested subject headings for searching our online catalog, and highlights a few of the many resources that we have on this topic.
The word “fashion” can be used to describe anything from a new hairstyle to a way of dressing. It can also refer to a particular period in time or the style of something that is popular at a certain moment. People follow fashion to show their status or to communicate a specific message. For example, a person might dress in a particular way to show that they are supportive of a certain cause or to avoid a negative association with a particular group.
In the past, changes in fashion were often caused by events, such as wars or natural disasters. Today, the major drivers of change are the fashion houses and their designers. They are the main force behind determining how quickly clothes fashions change and what will be in style or out of style at any given time. They are also the main force behind bringing back popular styles that have fallen out of favor.
Fashion reflects what is happening in society, politics and culture, and it can help to shape a nation’s identity. It can influence the choice of colors, fabrics and accessories. Moreover, it can make a person feel bold and confident when they follow the latest trends. On the other hand, a person who does not care about their appearance or follows old-fashioned styles can be perceived as unfashionable and out of date.
The current fashion system favours financial capital over human and natural capital, and it privileges symbolic capital, the non-tangible. The brightly-wrapped products on display in shops and magazines obscure their origins, ingredients and makers – and the world’s stock of natural assets are largely written out of the story that fashion tells.