As someone who loves fashion and follows many social media accounts dedicated to it, it feels as though people are losing their personal sense of style, choosing instead to follow micro trends. Every day, new trends come in and out of fashion. One day, everyone’s into Y2K butterfly tops, and the next, it’s all about “gorpcore.” These micro trends emerge and disappear in just a few days, often exploding on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. They’ve become a major influence in fashion and are quickly becoming the new norm.
What are micro trends?
Micro trends are trends that appear in the blink of an eye and take over the internet for a few days or weeks. They differ from current fashion trends because micro trends can be gone in just a few days.
For example, in 2023, bows became a popular trend where people would incorporate them into anything from clothes, hair and jewelry, adding a dainty and feminine touch to any aspect of fashion. While bows are indeed beautiful, people rushed to buy them when they were popular and discarded them when they became outdated. This also creates a cycle of consumption that’s unsustainable, though many brands take the opportunity to capitalize off these growing trends.
How does TikTok impact trend cycles?
TikTok is where many viral hits happen and can also dictate what’s “in” and “out” for fashion. It’s also the platform that tends to influence most micro trends. An outfit can go viral overnight and influencers will immediately pick it up as a trend to profit from by working with fast fashion brands, influencing their audience to buy trendy clothing items.
A TikTok video of a girl talking about the “it” sneaker of the season is a prime example of how social media can amplify trends, even if it is something as simple as buying a pair of shoes. TikTok trends can certainly help spark creativity but its influence also pressures people into following fleeting trends. The tik tok video will inspire hundreds to buy the shoe, but it’ll be in the back of their closet come springtime.
Personally, my journey of finding my unique style involves me grabbing inspiration from TikTok as well, but I always ask myself if the article of clothing I like will be a staple in my closet or just another trend I will toss out when the newest one arises. This is a deliberate decision that can help to break out from the unsustainable cycle of microtrends and to preserve one’s own sense of style. We can avoid the allure of rapid fashion and choose to live more sustainably by going for more classic, adaptable pieces. Giving up on the never-ending quest for the newest trend is a simple yet effective method to cut waste without sacrificing inspiration.
Even though micro trends can be exciting in the moment, they tend to contribute to a harmful culture of rapid consumption, quickly falling into the hands of fast fashion. They can also lead to the erosion of personal style as fleeting trends strip individuals of their unique styles. Before purchasing new clothing, it’s essential to consider overconsumption, disposable products and undermining of personal style that goes along with these trends.