From Tumblr Teens to TikTok Queens, How Gen Z is Rewriting Fashion History

Messy, cool, and always a little moody. Before TikTok took over, Tumblr was the spot! You didn't just re-blog content, you curated it! Think grunge meets intellectual sadness, with a side of oversized flannel shirts and DIY aesthetics. 2010-2014 wasn't about being "perfect", it was about being authentic. Even if that meant posting photos of abandoned factories at 2am while listening to The 1975 or Panic! At The Disco. It was the era of soft goths and indie queens. But, why were Tumblr aesthetics a thing? Tumblr allowed people to express their individuality and create an online haven for raw creativity and emotion.

In 2015, Instagram came along, and suddenly fashion became content. Out went the days of spontaneous reblogs, in came the craze of perfectly composed photos, coordinated colours, and editorial captions. If your outfit didn't match your Insta feed, did you even try? But, why were we so obsessed with the idea of having a perfectly crafted Instagram feed? Instagram made matching aesthetics feel like the key to popularity, validation, and belonging. The infamous grid layout turned personal expression into a curated gallery, where every post contributed to an overall aesthetic. A well designed profile signaled taste, status and marketability, and for many, maintaining a flawless aesthetic wasn't about self-expression, it was about gaining followers and attention in a world where attention had worth.

In 2019, TikTok flipped the script. Suddenly, fashion wasn't just about what you wore, it was about how you expressed yourself. From e-girls to cottagecore, trends were constantly evolving. But, what was the best part? TikTok was the perfect place to test new looks, making fashion an experimental playground where anything goes. Tiktok turned fashion fun by ditching pressure to be perfect. Its algorithm favoured creativity, making it relatively easy for anyone to go viral. Trends emerged overnight through thrift flips and bold transformations. Fashion on TikTok wasn't about fitting in, it was about standing out, being authentic and most importantly having fun!

'No trend? No problem! Just wear them all at once!' That's the perfect phrase to describe today's fashion. But, how else can we describe today's fashion? It's a mix of maximalism - with its boldness, vibrant colors, layering, and statement-making, and minimalism - which takes the opposite approach, embracing simplicity and the idea that less is more. Gen Z threw out the fashion rulebook and set it on fire! Whether it's glitter cowboy boots, crochet bucket hats, or rhinestone-covered corsets, Gen Z has done it all. Fashion isn't about rules for Gen Z, it's about having a digital playground. Every outfit is an expression, every thrift store a treasure hunt, and every TikTok an inspiration.

Well, what's next? Will there be another return of 2000s or '80s fashion? Or will a new trend appear? Maybe you'll create the next trend. I guess we'll find out eventually.

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