Why do we want to follow trends?
By Nona Dimitrova and Florenne Earle Ledger published 12/01/2024
Why have we let trends become our 21st century Bible, and Tiktok our Church?
In 2023 we saw a lot of people talking about trends, but no one actually looking into why we want to follow them in the first place. No one highlighting our human desire to be able to feel like a part of something bigger than ourselves, or have decisions (like what to wear) made for us because we can’t be bothered to think about anything else.
We’re interested in the ‘why’ when it comes to wanting to follow trends, and the ‘what’ thatfills us with the need to feel fashionable.
Soo, why do we want to follow trends?
To fit in
A lot of the time people follow trends to fit in. The fear of standing out for the wrong reasons creates a social pressure to blend in with everyone else by looking ‘tasteful’ or ‘fashionable’, within the realms of what’s considered socially acceptable.
To feel like we’re part of something
For more niche styles like Balletcore or Croquette, following ‘trends’ within a subculture can feel like you’re part of a small club. This has been magnified by social media- you want to look like the girlies on TikTok and be accepted by them in return.
Following a trend might feel like you’ve found something to be part of for a moment, or you’re finally feeling seen within a community. But with so many trends going viral it’s hard to feel like any are permanent groups to be part of, as we’re always encouraged to follow the next one.
Because decisions are exhausting.
Life is overwhelming and often it feels like there’s a billion different choices we have to make every single day, while digesting information coming through so many different mediums. It’s understandable that sometimes we might not want to think about what to wear or seek out what speaks to us.
To follow trends is to essentially to have someone else make decisions for us when it comes to what looks good. But to follow trends is also to sacrifice our own agency.
For other peoples’ validation.
Trends can reassure us that we look good or appropriate, depending on where we’re going and who we’re interacting with. Looking trendy in certain places boosts our confidence and might even make some people take us more seriously. Though it shouldn’t, looking fashionable and on trend can help some people in their careers or even their social lives (hint: if it’s the letter, find some new friends). Trends are like a password or a free pass to a community/group, then be as inclusive as they can be exclusive.
Why does it matter?
All the positive attributes to following trends make the whole ordeal sound great, until we realise it also means shorter and shorter trend cycles, overconsumption, and generally just losing our identity. The way we dress ourselves is an extension of our identity; a good outfit is like a good hair day or a good skin day. To solely let trends dictate what you wear is to never really feel content with what you have, and that sounds pretty terrible if you ask us.
Deep diving into why we want to follow trends made us realise that it all comes down to fitting in and feeling like a part of something. It’s human nature to want to be accepted for who we are, but why does our desire for authenticity and acceptance so often shift us away from being who we actually want to be, for fear of standing out for the wrong reasons?
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