We scroll, we save, we style. Social media nowadays influences every aspect of our lives, especially what we wear. It has become a mirror for what's "cool" and what's not.

Across all platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok the algorithm tells us every day which trend is in and how we can achieve that look.

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Influencers on social media showcase their style, their "aesthetics", that quickly go viral. They in a way, shape what we think looks cool or fashionable. As a result, people feel the need to "fit in" or gain validation. But all of this brings a question to my mind, is social media shaping our style or erasing our individuality?

The Rise of "Aesthetic Culture"

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word aesthetic? I'll go first, Pinterest!

Every time we open a social media app we hear the word aesthetic. Well what does it even mean? The dictionary definition is, adjective: concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty. Used in a sentence: something that gives you aesthetic pleasure, but I can't help but feel that lately it has become more of an aesthetic pressure than pleasure.

People take pleasure in dressing up in different aesthetics. Clean girl, Y2K, coquette, dark academia, the list could go on. A new trend, aesthetic, or a new "core" pops up on our for you pages bimonthly, and everyone rushes to jump on to that trend.

The other day, I saw an Instagram reel where a fashion creator showed off her brand new jorts and talked aout how cool they look, and I'm not going to lie, I was somewhat influenced. But then I asked myself, do I really need it? Is this even my style? The answer was, no.

This brings another important topic to attention, Overconsumption. Overconsumption, simply put, means excessive use of goods and services that causes harm to the environment. With the rise of these different aesthetics there is also a rise in overconsumption, and it is only affecting us and our planet day by day.

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Influence VS Inspiration

Social media treads a very fine line between being inspired by someone's style and completely copying it and making it your new personality. With influencers constantly posting outfit checks, clothing hauls, and styling videos, it's easy to get swept up and buy a thing or two by clicking on those affiliated links.

Celebrities and models too play a massive role in shaping how we dress. A paparazzi picture of Kendall Jenner in a red dress can spark headlines like "Kendall Jenner is bringing back Tomato Girl summer", and before you know it, red is the colour of the season.

Influencers are quick to follow with reels like "Here's how to achieve Kendall Jenner's new summer look", turning casual outfits into a full blown trend. The more we scroll, the more our idea of style gets shaped by what's getting likes, to a point where I start to wonder, is it really inspiration or just imitation?

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Loss Or Evolution

Sometimes, scrolling on social media feels like seeing the same outfit on repeat. When we look at the similar ballet flats, doc martins, tennis skirts, or bow tie tops, at first glance it might seem like personal style is lost. But, our personal styles are also allowed to evolve with time.

We've always taken cues from the world around us, from celebrities, fashion magazines, or pop culture, social media has just made that process louder. The challenge now is to figure out how to filter through all that noise and still dress in a way that feels effortlessly you, and most importantly, true to you.

There's nothing wrong with being inspired or enjoying a certain aesthetic, what matters is whether you're choosing it because you love it and connect with it or simply because you feel like you have to.

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What does this mean for our individuality?

In a world where the algorithm keeps pushing what's new, fast fashion, and even faster moving trends, it's easy to forget that style is supposed to be personal.

What this means for our individuality is simple: we need to hold on to it, but that doesn't mean we can't make space for the new trends.

Social media has changed the way we dress and it will continue doing so. We may copy our Pinterest boards or take inspiration from a model, it doesn't have to be the end of our individuality, as long as you're choosing what feels right for you.