Fashion is a specific style of dressing and self-expression at a given time and place and at a given context, of apparel, footwear, accessories, hairstyle, body posture, and makeup. In its broader usage, the word also implies a specific look generally defined by the fashion industry today as what is trendy. While this was once a vague standard, with some vague ideas of fashionable clothes and trends, modern usage has narrowed it down to a few precise styles. This article briefly discusses the most common styles.
High fashion is a style that is highly influenced by the art and design world. It generally involves a combination of dresses that are highly expensive and highly fashionable. They are typically worn by rich and famous people. Many high fashion designers work in the industry and have developed their own signature styles; examples include Yves Saint Laurent, Alexander Wang, Christoph Schmid and Marc Jacobs.
Haute couture is the name given to a style of clothing that emerged during the late nineteenth century in France. It is characterized by extremely unique designs and very simple construction. This type of dress is characterized by very high quality fabrics and by a highly decorative combination of jewelry and clothing. The haute couture wardrobe usually includes a variety of items that would not be found in other traditional fashion styles.
One of the most popular forms of clothing for both women and men is the so-called sportswear. The term is somewhat misleading, since the primary goal of this clothing is practicality, rather than style. However, there are many distinct kinds of sportswear such as track suits, tracksuits, track-bags, and track-shoes among others. This category includes a wide variety of different brands and styles.
A third major category of clothing is loungewear. It is comprised of items designed to protect the body from cold, heat, rain, or any other weather conditions. Many of these clothes are quite colorful and elegant; they are appropriate for both evening and daytime wear. Some examples of loungewear include ski jackets, parkas, parka bibs, rain coats, and fleece-lined sweaters and blazers.
Designers who belong to the fourth group, known as trendsetters, are often described as creators of new trends. They adopt an artistic approach to fashion designing, influencing the market by creating clothes that are in sync with current styles. Examples of designers in this category include Marc Jacobs, Donatella Versace, and Jean Paul Gaultier. A few designers in this category create fashionable but affordable clothing for casual, urban, or sporty use. A few of the fashions produced by these designers include hoodies, boardshorts, and sweat pants.