The word fashion gets tossed around easily in this day and age. We think we know what it is -- but do we?

Curiosity contributor Diana Bocco explains what fashion is and where it came from.

Although the word “fashion” brings to mind garments, the word refers to anything that changes style over time, including accessories and footwear -- even hairstyles. Fashion is, in fact, the overall look of a person and the people of a nation.

Throughout history, major political and socio-economic changes (such as the Industrial Revolution and women’s liberation) have always brought along changes in clothing and dressing. During the 18th and 19th centuries, fashion was a symbol of class and social status. Well-educated men in authority wore dark suits while bows and ruffles were the choice for middle-class young women [source: University of Houston].

The always-evolving innovations we call fashion today started in 19th-century Paris, thanks to the work of designer Charles Frederick Worth. Known today as “the father of haute couture,” Worth helped transform clothes into an art form [source: Metropolitan Museum of Art]. It wasn’t until the early 20th century that fashion became a true industry, however. With the invention of the sewing machine and other technologies, it was finally possible to mass-produce certain items. Clothing lost the handmade touch, but it became easily available and much cheaper.

Fashions vary widely by country and even within a society depending on class and age. Some countries change fashion faster than others, while some have created unique fashion styles that change little over time. An example of this is Japan, famous for its Harajuku fashion style. Commonly known as “street fashion,” Harajuku fashion was born in the city district of the same name, and comprises over-the-top costumes, hairstyles, makeup and accessories. Some Harajuku aficionados choose to dress as Victorian porcelain dolls (in a style known as Gothic Lolita), while others go for a more punk, bright style. Harajuku style doesn’t change or evolve over time because maintaining a unified look is part of its identity.

Defining fashion has always been a tricky endeavor. Haute couture extraordinaire Coco Chanel said: "Fashion is not simply a matter of clothes. Fashion is in the air, born upon the wind. One intuits it. It is in the sky and on the road" [source: British Vogue].