That's So Yesterday

Written By: Justine Reuchlein

Trends and fads have been around for decades, often shaping culture and identity. However, with an all time high level of globalization, it seems that these trends may actually be causing harm. The rise of social media across the globe has seemingly led to a rapid cycling of trends, creating and disposing of a new “popular item” in a matter of weeks. With all eyes looking for the newest trendy items, many now lack the ability to create their own style and determine unique opinions. In addition, these rapid cycles greatly facilitate fast fashion and overconsumption. While consumers buy the newest trendy item every few weeks, many items are forgotten, left untouched in secondhand stores, or ending up in a landfill. 

The involvement of social media in fashion has led to the death of individualism. The reach of social media has exceeded many expectations, with users chiming in from all over the globe. This also means that influencers and marketing impact many more people than ever before. Taking this into consideration, it’s easy to see how this may lead to an obvious lack of individualism. Instead of exhibiting a variety of style and fashion, many conform to the newest trends and ideas. When every aspect of life is controlled by social media, no parts of your life are actually yours. So when a new trend is established, instead of immediately following it, it might be best to wait. Think on it for a while, question whether it fits your personal lifestyle, whether you would do it if it weren’t trendy. Form your own opinions on everything you see, because without individual ideas and thoughts the world would be a much worse place.

Photo owned by: Greenpeace

Furthermore, the rapid cycling of trends facilitated by social media causes harm to society and the environment. The effects of fast fashion are well known, and they are only amplified by quicker and quicker trends. When one trend is established, the fast fashion industry quickly produces the supply. However, when the trend dies, unsold material is thrown away and new trends are produced instead. Moreover, the consumers of these trends also dispose of the out of style items, whether thrown away or donated, the items often become useless, contributing to the large amount of waste on the planet. This waste is only enlarged when the amount of trends in a period of time increases exponentially. In order to prevent this its important to buy items that will interest you even after a trend has passed, as well as supporting brands not involved in the fast fashion industry. 

Overall, social media has created a fast moving wheel of fashion, creating damage to culture and the environment. Blind following of trends creates a lack of originality and personal style. It also promotes the fast fashion industry, damaging communities and environments. In order to combat this its important to form unique opinions and initiate long lasting habits and consumption.