When scrolling on TikTok or Instagram Reels, how many “new” microtrends do you see on a daily basis? Well, believe it or not, the 2020s are defined by their microtrends; from Cow prints to “whimsy-maxing”, these aesthetics fade just as quickly as they come. While taking part in these micro-trends seems fun and lively, what remains is a flood of overconsumption nonsense. These leftovers are incredibly harmful to the environment, and rather than participating in these trends, we should aspire to find timeless pieces through second-hand shopping.
With the rise of the internet, humans have found themselves with a need for social acceptance. The way someone chooses to express themselves through fashion begs for that validation. Being in style opens up conversations and compliments; however, after the 2020s, most of these “stylish” clothes are the result of a viral microtrend. Participating in these trends gives people that small hit of dopamine, but what happens to the clothes once that happiness is gone? The landfills. Not just any landfills, but ones that cover third-world countries. All the clothes that were “in style” just a couple of weeks ago are now left in trash cans and dumpsters with no second thought.
One of the best ways to combat this issue is to also find a style that expresses who you are as a person. There’s no point in participating in trends when it doesn’t accurately depict who you are. So even when you thrift, always ask yourself if you’re going to wear that item at least 30 times, to help lengthen its lifetime and help find a style that shows off your personality. Another way to solve this issue is through donating. Buying gently used clothes allows these items to be loved once again and keeps them out of the dumpster. But helping fix this issue also requires us to donate our clothes when they no longer serve a purpose to us. Keeping the lifespan of clothing sustainable is the key to help reduce waste and improve the environment.
The next time you look through your “for-you-page” try not to participate in the most viral micro-trend hitting the internet. Instead, figure out if that trend is something that you want to add to your fashion identity or if it’s helping you to fit in.