In the 90s, subcultures for fashion were really popular. We have goth, emo, punk, sporty, and girly. But once it became statistics and an algorithm, people stopped trying to be unique, and it became a trend to fit in rather than a statement of what they stood for. Fashion is just not how it used to be.
Fashion now is more of a social media thing, I mean, we post pictures of what we are wearing, and depending on the popularity of that outfit, we get more views or likes. We can’t just dress to be ourselves anymore; people care way too much about popularity and getting more views and followers, and such that some don’t even like what they are wearing.
When I was growing up, I would wear comfortable things, I never dressed girly, and I wore mostly baggy jeans, a sarcastic t-shirt, and skateboard shoes. I didn’t wear them to be popular; I wore them because they represented who I stood for. I once had the popular shoes and was “popular” for a day or two, but I never cared about being popular.
Even today, I do not care about fashion, and I dress to be comfortable. I am not trying to get views or anything like that, and I don’t want the unnecessary attention. I don’t even have the social media apps were posting pictures of your outfits.
Although I am glad that goth and emo culture has not totally died, because there are whole stores made for that type of subculture, and I am sure it will never die and stay popular, for my sake, I hope so at least.
I think a lot of people on streaming platforms such as TikTok and YouTube are pressured to wear what is popular. Some live for the followers and views because it makes them feel seen. But I am glad that fashion has become less about gender and more about self-expression. Men can cross-dress or wear drag, and women can dress boyish, and it’s not seen as taboo as it was years ago. I am proud to say I am a tomboy!
