The growing impact of TikTok micro-trends in fashion - Pavement Pieces (2024)

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Julia Bonavita September 14, 2021

The growing impact of TikTok micro-trends in fashion - Pavement Pieces (1)

Two women take a selfie by the Washington Square Park Fountain while sporting current fashion trends – including baggy jeans and crop tops – on Sunday, Sept. 12. Photo by Julia Bonavita

The grasp that social media apps – such as TikTok and Instagram – have on the fashion industry has become increasingly unavoidable as micro-trends continue to gain traction among Gen Z and millennials.

Micro-trends are cheap, stylish fashion items that are designed to last until the end of the current season and are often born from the screens of social media. These looks tend to disappear from storefronts as quickly as they entered, resulting in consumers constantly turning to their feeds in search of the newest designs.

“I’d say that although my fashion choices are inspired by friends, designers, and people I see while out and about, online trends definitely influence my fashion choices, even on a subconscious level,” said Brenden Pollock, a graduate student at Columbia University. “Even if it’s not necessarily a part of a trend, repeatedly seeing types of pieces and brands that influencers are wearing and posting online introduces me to brands and styles I was once unfamiliar with and expands my idea of what is fashionable.”

Online clothing companies such as SHEIN and AliExpress have risen to popularity for their inexpensive, low-quality outfits that are often on-trend with the latest season. Fast fashion corporations often offer items that are made of nylon and polyester, resulting in clothing that will not survive long term wear.

These fast-moving, disposable micro-trends have created a reckoning within the fashion industry and the issue of sustainability. According to The World Bank, 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions are created from footwear and clothing production, resulting in massive amounts of items ending up in landfills.

An interview with SHEIN CMO Molly Mio and published by Forbes revealed that the store “drops 700-1,000 new styles daily”, creating a revolving door of low-quality goods that often end up in the trash before consumers can wear them.

According to the UNEP, “if demographic and lifestyle patterns continue as they are now, global consumption of apparel will rise from 62 million metric tons in 2019 to 102 million tons in 10 years”.

“I buy online. I don’t thrift too much,” said NYU freshman Hannah Choi. “I feel like because of the pandemic I’ve done a lot of online shopping. But it’s hard to find online stores that I trust, since some can have bad quality things.”

The growing impact of TikTok micro-trends in fashion - Pavement Pieces (2)

NYU freshman and Manhattan resident Hannah Choi shows off her TikTok-inspired manicure at Washington Square Park on Sunday, Sept. 12. Photo by Julia Bonavita

But it is impossible to deny the vast number of micro-trends that have been curated from the endless ‘For You Page’ on TikTok. Fashion icons, such as Gucci, Dior and Nike, boast a combined 4.6 million followers on the platform, showcasing the need for luxury brands to cater to the Gen Z audience.

Articles have surfaced with predictions of what looks will be “must-haves” for Fall 2021, and storefronts along New York City’s iconic SoHo are already boasting platform loafers, flare jeans, and blazers – all items that were first seen on TikTok’s fashion influencers.

“I like the styles I see on TikTok and I wish I could dress like that, it’s just hard to keep up with,” said NYU freshman Ali Chioffi.

With terms like “cheugy” – something that was once stylish but no longer is – and “camp” – outrageous fashion – floating around the internet, consumers are often faced with the decision to participate in fast fashion and micro-trends or be labeled as “out of style”.

However, many brands are encouraging consumers to shop sustainably, with current trends in mind. Harper’s Bazaar’s “10 Simple Steps to Being More Sustainable” urges buyers to shop for trans-seasonal clothing, learn how to maintain items and donate unwanted clothes, in an effort to reduce fashion waste.

“I like to incorporate trends with my own l interests to create a more individual sense of style. When I shop, I would buy something that I like even if others don’t get it or dislike it,” said Pollock.

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The growing impact of TikTok micro-trends in fashion - Pavement Pieces (2024)

FAQs

How does TikTok affect fashion trends? ›

Tiktok has been responsible for the move away from skinny jeans, making the Gap logo hoodie popular, the Skims dress, viral Birkenstock clogs and countless micro trends that are constantly rising and falling.

What are the micro trends on TikTok? ›

TikTok users see different kinds of fashion explode in popularity on the site — and then disappear just as quickly. It's a constant cycle of meteoric popularity known as microtrends.

What is the impact of microtrend? ›

Microtrends increase consumerism and materialism, convincing people in the younger generation that they need to buy a certain product to fit in. A lot of microtrends are related to fast fashion practices, which were not always destructive as they are today.

What are micro trends in the fashion industry? ›

Microtrends are accelerated trends that last a month instead of a season. Think ugly dad sandals, checkerboard prints, and chunky plastic rings.

How does TikTok affect fast fashion? ›

A survey conducted by UNiDAYS revealed a harsh reality: fashion purchases made by 49% of nearly 20 million respondents were made due to social media's pressure. These statistics demonstrate how TikTok is leading us down a dangerous path of materialism.

How is TikTok affecting society? ›

A 2023 study of teenagers found that TikTok content influences both short term food decisions, such as trying a new food item or recipe, as well as long term food decisions, like dietary adjustments. TikTok has also led to an increase in custom orders at restaurants, known on the platform as menu hacks.

What is micro trends in trends? ›

Microtrends are one-off, short-lived trends in specific markets or sectors. Microtrends are renewed at a faster rate than macrotrends and are generally local in scope.

How fast do micro trends change? ›

They often spring up naturally on platforms like TikTok, where they are started by popular creators, then quickly rise to prominence and creep onto every user's “For You” page. In about a month, or even less, the micro trend falls out of fashion and no one talks about it again.

What is a micro influencer on TikTok? ›

What Is a TikTok Micro Influencer & Why Work with One? A TikTok micro influencer or micro creator is a content creator who has a follower count of 10,000 to 100,000 followers. They create TikTok videos their audience can relate to and that gets them more engagement on their pages.

How do trends affect fashion? ›

Consumer trends impact fashion brands by driving changes in product offerings, marketing strategies, emphasis on brand values, customer experience, and collaboration opportunities. Adapting to emerging trends is crucial for brands in fashion industry to stay relevant and meet the evolving demands of their customers.

How do trends affect people's lives? ›

When a particular trend is being seen by people continuously, it has an effect on people following what their peers are doing. People want to fit into society and have the coolest or most desired product out there which influences the spread of new items becoming popular.

Why are TikTok trends so short? ›

Overexposure in the media is a big reason these trends die so fast, with most lasting no more than four weeks. TikTok is especially good at over posting about anything until it becomes unbearable.

How does social media influence micro trends? ›

“What makes Micro trends rise that fast?” Social Media creates a culture of instant gratification and constant consumption. Those platforms are designed to encourage users to share and consume content quickly and frequently, creating a sense of urgency and novelty around new fashion trends.

What are micro trends the acceleration of fashion cycles? ›

Microtrends are fashion trends that have a strong but short-lived surge in popularity. Brands quickly pick up on these fleeting microtrends so they can pump-out copycat clothing at low costs for consumers to snatch up before it's replaced by the next trend. Fast fashion companies have mastered this cycle.

Why do fashion trends change so quickly? ›

Fashions change quickly due to the desire for novelty and variety, as well as social interaction and coordination among consumers. Fashion styles change quickly because the adoption speed affects fashion evolution, with clothes that are adopted quickly becoming unfashionable faster.

How is TikTok influencing trends? ›

Influencers on TikTok have the power to shape consumer trends significantly. Their endorsem*nt or creative use of a product can lead to it going viral, driving consumer interest and sales. Brands are increasingly recognising the value of collaborating with influencers to tap into their loyal followings.

Why is TikTok important for fashion brands? ›

With endless looks and possibilities, TikTok is the place for people to discover new styles and find their own voice. Trends will come and go, but great content, connecting with new audiences, and boosting your sales is never going out of fashion.

How does social media affect fashion trends? ›

Through these platforms, fashion has become more accessible, allowing for a greater diversity of voices and styles to be seen and heard. Social media has also empowered consumers to influence the fashion agenda, marking a shift from a top-down to a more collaborative approach to trendsetting.

What influences fashion trends? ›

- Cultural influences play a significant role in fashion trends, inspiring designers to incorporate elements from diverse traditions, aesthetics, and craftsmanship into their collections. This cultural exchange results in a rich tapestry of styles that reflect the global diversity of fashion. 2.

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