How social media has negatively influenced fashion culture
The pace of trends coming in and out of fashion has never been quicker. The uprising of Instagram, Tik Tok and Pinterest has made the passing on of trends easier than ever before. However, the sooner things come into fashion means the sooner things go out of fashion, making consumer rates of clothing at an all-time high.
The current culture which social media promotes of trendy clothing instead of timeless styles, which are in one week and out the next, isn't only setting unhealthy standards to consumers, regarding how much clothing needs to be consumed in order to stay fashionable, but is also playing a huge role in fast fashion and its devastating environmental effects.
Image via @houseofsunny on Instagram
Over consumption of fast fashion is promoted often by influencers, posting 'haul' videos with dozens of different items, just for content for their viewers. Although it may seem harmless from the outside, as shopping for clothes is something we all indulge in from time to time, the influence of buying far more clothes then is necessary just to keep up with the trends, is dangerous as the more likely their fans are going to feel a need to do the same.
British Youtuber Flossie was recently criticised for this after posting a haul to her Youtube channel, with over 600k subscribers, titled ‘Buying my dream summer wardrobe’. The video showed her purchases, which seemed like the same amount as my whole wardrobe's worth of clothing, all of which she’d collected in just a few weeks, just for the Summer season.
Many of her viewers however were unhappy about the way Flossie used her influence to promote fast fashion, expressing their disappointment and wish that she could use her platform to promote sustainable fashion instead.
All in all, social media is such a huge part of how we work, communicate and entertain ourselves, so no wonder it influnces most of our life decisions, including fashion. However, I hope that the fact that people are calling out influencers over their promotion of fast fashion in the name of being trendy, is a positive sign that we’re aware that we cannot carry on consuming without consequences.
I believe a certain extent of influence in regard to fashion is healthy, as at the end of the day fashion is all about being inspired by others. I think the main issue is around how quickly social media kills trends. Instead of buying trendy clothes because of seeing others doing the same, I make sure to buy clothes which are timeless, those I genuinely love and can see myself wearing regardless of trends.