Written by: Manasa Pamujula
Cover Design by: Sofia Holmes
To answer the question asked, we have to dive headfirst into one of the most controversial topics in the Tik Tok fashion world: The Hockney Dress. It features different shades of abstract green swirls made by the company; the House of Sunny. First worn by Kendall Jenner, the House of Sunny dress blew up on Tik Tok. The dress was everywhere, on every social media app you could think of, and people were raving about how you had to get it.
Image: The Hockney Dress; listed on ASOS for $136.75.
However, just before those who saved their money for it could get their hands on the dress, Tik Tok had ruled the brightly pattern article of clothing as something that was old news. The trend was over.
This is something that has emerged recently on Tik Tok, as well as all over social media. It’s called a micro trend, and this isn’t the first time that this has happened. The coconut girl aesthetic that showcased 2000’s beach girls with a modern twist was loved and gone in a week. These micro trends have been created from the shortened timespan of something called trend cycles. Trend cycles are determined by what people think is fashionable and ‘trendy.’ The typical trend cycle has five stages: introduction, rise, acceptance, decline, and obsolescence. Trend cycles used to last 20 years, and the usual micro trends used to last 3-5 years. Now, trend cycles have been squished so much that you can barely tell when the trend started and when it’s over; maybe lasting months to weeks.
Fashion companies have used social media as an outlet for marketing. Specifically fast fashion companies like Shein, Romwe, etc. After saturating every corner of Tik Tok’s FYP or Instagram, people started to get interested in the clothes shown, but also got over the same clothes in a very short period of time. Since the pandemic, sponsorships have been including PR boxes for influencers to try on. The only difference from the earlier days when it was on Instagram is that there are now videos where multiple outfits are being worn. This prompted people to buy huge bulks of clothing at once to make sure they fit it with what everyone else is saying. This introduced another problem in the fashion world. Hauls of fast fashion. People spent hundreds of dollars on buying huge bulks of clothing from stores like Shein, because the clothes are cheaper. The same people will throw away the clothes or give them away to thrift stores after they don’t like them. This cycle of buying and throwing away leads to overconsumption. Overconsumption is a huge problem not only for the fashion world, but also for the environment, because huge amounts of clothing are ending up in landfills, because no one will wear them for long enough.
However, to people who might say that fast fashion is the only affordable to them; continue to use fast fashion. Fast fashion is not being held afloat by people who can’t afford more expensive clothing, it’s where it is now because of people who are able to afford more expensive clothing. They’re the people who are doing $500-$1000 hauls from websites like Shein, when they can easily buy clothing from more ethical, but expensive stores. Fast fashion companies underpay their workers and have terrible conditions in the workplace as well. Not to mention that they steal designs from designers who work really hard to create them for more ethical companies.
Fast fashion, overconsumption, and microtrends are all really big problems that are really damaging, but there are ways you as the consumer can help. You can go thrifting, which is available both online and in person. You can also find your own style or aesthetic and build your closet what you really like. Trends are still valid and there is no problem following them. It’s only when you over consume and buy too much from fast fashion companies is where it becomes bad. Fashion is an art form, and it connects people together and Tik Tok has always connected people with clothes, styles, and trends. Tik Tok has done both good and bad for the fashion community, but please keep in mind the dangers of overconsumption and fast fashion the next time you shop online. Thank you for reading!
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