How TikTok Trends are Influencing our Fashion Choices

By Fashion Editor Jane Gleeson

TikTok trends come and go in the blink of an eye. You haven't even got your brat t-shirt over your head before you hear someone shouting about their new cottagecore sundress. The app's impact on fashion culture is persistent in keeping you on your toes and more importantly, keeping you on trend. TikTok has evolved into a digital runway with an indisputable impact on the way that we view clothing.

Brat Summer

Lime green was the colour of summer 2024, with everything from iced matcha to the Duolingo owl being labelled as ‘Brat’. The phenomenon took the internet by storm after the release of Charlie XCX's album brat at the beginning of June. Clean girl aesthetic was thrown out the window and replaced by messy hair and smudged eyeliner. The artist herself describes the movement as a ‘pack of cigs, a Bic lighter and a strappy white top with no bra’. The brat discourse has motivated Gen Z to embrace their chaotic party side and experiment with new forms of self-expression. The trend has not only infiltrated the lives of Gen-Z, but it is also dominating the fashion world through the appearance of Y2K-inspired street style. These grungy looks have made appearances across the September runways. The SS25 collections showcased pant-less looks, dyed denim, and see-through slips. The fun, sexy looks were club ready, adorned with leather jackets and fur trenches for the inevitable afterparty. Collins Dictionary recently coined ‘brat’ as their word of the year for 2024, so there is no doubt that the party animal aesthetic is here to stay. The album’s message will continue to inspire chaos and unapologetic individuality throughout the coming year.

Very Demure, Very Mindful

Demure dressing is a complete rejection of the brat trend as this latest fashion fad advocates for a hyper-feminine style with modest and unassuming clothing. The TikTok influencer Jools LeBron gave a whole new meaning to the word demure at the start of August as she described her work makeup as “very demure, very mindful”. The word once used to describe a shy and reserved person is now being made relevant for food, interior and fashion choices across the internet. Demure dressing is a lifestyle choice, as the sophistication of one’s clothing can be taken into their daily actions and attitudes. Understated elegance is one of the biggest trends coming into autumn/winter fashion that puts an emphasis on timeless and thoughtful pieces. Polished looks are key to replicating the sophistication of icons such as Emma Watson, who is infamous for her timeless look.

Less is more with this trend and the major fashion houses of Saint Laurent and Vivienne Westwood recognise this demand and champion quiet-luxury for next season's style.

Cottagecore

Cottagecore is an idealisation where people imagine themselves with a rustic and simple lifestyle that people often associate with a slow-paced and reflective way of life. The term was born on TikTok and it allows people an escape from their usual hectic routine and fall into a slow paced rhythm without the pressures of city life. Relating cottage core into fashion incorporates loose fitting, long and flowy dresses, along with feminine and dainty silhouettes. The colour palette mimics that of the rolling countryside hills with hues of green, white, yellow and baby pink, often incorporating a floral pattern. The trend sees people dressing for the life that they want, rather than the one that they have. The whimsical country lifestyle is one sought after by many that want to escape the hustle and bustle of city living, and people that would rather climb trees than climb the corporate ladder. The trend can be credited with promoting sustainable fashion choices as there is an emphasis on vintage finds and making use of what you already have. It abolishes the maximalist mindset and instead opts for stripped back, minimalist living. The idyllic and isolated lifestyle is only realistically attainable by very few, so those who cannot have it try to replicate it in their wardrobes.

Balletcore

Ballet has always held an important place in society, especially as it originally reflected the issues of society surrounding gender, sexuality, and unrealistic beauty standards. The artform has managed to stay relevant through its impact on the creative outlets of film and fine art, but with the resurgence of its popularity on TikTok, people are discovering ways to incorporate the signature look into their wardrobe and celebrate the skilled profession. The most obvious culprit of the balletcore aesthetic is the humble ballet flat. A shoe staple for most 5 year olds has now made its way as the cool girl shoe of the 2020s. In the years where heels are wavering in popularity, ballet flats are an ideal middle ground between the villainous stiletto and the casual samba. It Is the easiest (and most comfortable) way to incorporate the ballerina look off the dance floor. The hyper femininity of the decorative ballerina has also had an impact on hair accessories as huge scrunchies and simple hair bows resurface to elevate the infamous slick back bun. The most literal interpretation of the trend is arm and leg warmers. While they may be the most difficult part to incorporate into your everyday style, they do serve a purpose this winter while still allowing you the chic look that you desire. The legacy of the ballet world would not be complete without mentioning the iconic tutu. The tulle skirt is synonymous with the artform, and while designers have played with its appearance to make it more wearable for us non-dancers, the opening credits of Sex and the City are enough to convince anyone that if Carrie Bradshaw can rock full tulle in the middle of Manhattan, so can we.

Office Siren

Whether you think its empowering or inappropriate, the office siren is here to switch up your corporate wardrobe. The word ‘siren’ originates from Greek mythology and they are known to have a seductive and charming quality. The office siren is Gen Z’s take on corporate fashion that stretches the limits on what is conventional office attire. The aesthetic has received its fair share of controversy, with its critics commenting that the trend further objectifies women in the workplace and limits their worth to their appearance instead of their abilities. But Gen Z Is leaning into this narrative and taking back ownership over their bodies by dominating the corporate world and looking good doing it. Inspiration is taken from rom-coms of the 2000s, where New York City girls ran across the streets in sleek and structured power suits, rushing to their ever-important jobs, yet somehow always looking like they stepped off the cover of Vogue. Imagine the opening scene of The Devil Wears Prada, and you’ll understand the blueprint. Achieving this style is relatively simple, according to the experts on TikTok, as you can take neutral pieces from your existing collection, throw on the smallest pair of knock off Miu Miu sunglasses you can find, and make sure to adorn an air of superiority like you run the office in Miranda Priestly style.

TikTok has been responsible for changing the way that we view fashion. The app has made clothing trends accessible, exciting and gives the user a sense of control over what they wear. The disruptive nature of TikTok has seen a power shift from designer to user. This shared decision making has evened out the playing field for deciding what is in and what is out. It gives the opportunity to anyone who is willing to speak up and take a turn in calling the shots, and maybe even starting a trend of their own.