When did self-expression become a “copy-paste” trend? “Rockstar Girlfriend,” “Ballerina Core,” “Clean Girl Aesthetic” and “Cottage Core” are all fashion trends everyone has seen on social media platforms—but what about your aesthetic? With the turnaround of the trend cycle and our society’s contributions to overconsumption, we are losing our individuality.
Whenever a new trend is “in,” fast-fashion brands and even household powerhouses manufacture pieces cheaply and quickly to meet the rising demand. Consumers are quick to get their hands on the latest trendy pieces because it fits into a certain trending aesthetic, not because it is their style. Fast fashion has created a throwaway culture, influencing consumers to dispose of pieces that no longer serve them or fit the new trends.
The average U.S. consumer throws away approximately 81.5 pounds of clothes every year. All clothing waste is then thrown into landfills or littered throughout communities, raising concern over carbon emissions.
However, social media has fueled the fire for consumers’ needs to get the latest hot pieces. The social comparison makes us want more. According to experts at the Cleveland Clinic, “FOMO, or the fear of missing out, refers to the feeling or perception that other people are having fun, experiencing new things, or living a better life than you.”
FOMO is fueled by seeing family, friends and even random people on social media, and it creates a false sense of urgency causing the consumer to buy things out of fear of being left behind or being deemed “uncool,” not because they genuinely like the pieces.
The “Clean Girl” Aesthetic was one of the biggest social media trends that has emerged in recent years. Characterized by clear skin, sleek hairstyles, neutral athleisure clothing and simple gold jewelry, simplicity and elegance quickly turned into another fashion trend that made everyone look the same.
Platforms like TikTok and Instagram played a huge role in amplifying the “Clean Girl” aesthetic, with influencers showcasing identical outfits, makeup routines and “must-have” products. The overexposure of this aesthetic led to a wave of sameness, where individuality took a backseat to look effortlessly put together.
Brands quickly capitalized on the trend by mass-producing “clean girl” staples—ribbed tank tops, linen sets and gold jewelry—feeding into the cycle of overconsumption. Many people who wanted to embody the aesthetic bought these items without considering their style, leading to wardrobes full of trendy but impersonal pieces.
Consumerism and fast fashion push the idea that style comes from buying, but true individuality comes from creating. You reclaim control over your style by rejecting overconsumption, experimenting with fashion on your terms and prioritizing authenticity over trends.
Thrifting, upcycling, curating a Pinterest board and investing in timeless pieces are all great ways to find a style that resonates with you. In a world that profits off of sameness, the boldest thing you can do is dress like yourself.
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Hi! I’m Kayla Friedman, A Magazine’s editor-in-chief. My staff and I are committed to bringing you the most important and entertaining news from the realms of fashion, beauty and culture. We are full-time students and hard-working journalists. While we get support from the student media fee and earned revenue such as advertising, both of those continue to decline. Your generous gift of any amount will help enhance our student experience as we grow into working professionals. Please go here to donate to A Magazine.
