Divat

Divat is a Hungarian term referring to fashion, defined as the prevailing styles of clothing, accessories, and personal presentation within a society at a given time. More broadly, divat denotes the fashion system—design, production, distribution, and consumption—that shapes what people wear and how they present themselves. The concept also encompasses trends, aesthetics, and behaviors that signal cultural identity, social status, or group affiliation, often mediated through media, advertising, and celebrities.

Historically, divat evolved with changes in technology, industry, and culture. In Europe, the rise of textile production, couture houses, and fashion journalism in the 19th and early 20th centuries helped establish fashion as a professional field. Global fashion centers—Paris, Milan, London, and New York—play influential roles through haute couture, ready-to-wear, and fashion weeks. The late 20th and 21st centuries saw rapid, interconnected trend cycles driven by mass media and digital platforms, expanding access to a wide range of styles but also intensifying competition and turnover.

Contemporary divat engages with sustainability, ethical production, and cultural exchange, as brands, designers, and consumers address environmental impact, labor practices, and questions of cultural appropriation. It remains a dynamic social and economic system, shaping and reflecting aesthetics, identity, and daily life across diverse communities.