Taste and fashion

Taste influenced by Fashion

Every revolution in the taste of a country may be accounted for on the same principles with the revolutions in its laws, its customs, and opinions-the love of change or novelty in a few, and of sameness or imitation in the many. And however the pride of system may revolt at taste being influenced and liable to change with the fashions of the day, it is impossible to fix any standard for taste, that may not be shaken by the prevailing opinions of the public, whether right or wrong. Thus, in whatever relates to the amusements and pleasures of mankind, though an old fashion may be most rational, yet a received new fashion will be deemed in the best taste. This leads me to consider the origin of what is called fashion, and, by the multitude, generally considered as taste.