Teenagers’ fashion influenced by TikTok

“I went from leggings and sweatshirts to cargo pants and graphic tees. Now, I still love my leggings or sweatpants grunge look, but TikTok opened my eyes to thrifting, which expanded my closet to some more interesting pieces,” sophomore Emma Barton said. “I also became a person that wears rings because I kept seeing them on TikTok, but I can’t complain.” 

The social media app TikTok is a place where people can post videos of anything from a day in their life to fun dances and shopping hauls. The app has also changed or altered some teenagers’, including Barton’s, sense of style. 

Along with thrifting, Barton has also used the app to see and find where people get their clothes so she can buy them herself. One of her top stores to buy clothes from is Shein, which is an online store that offers trending clothes at affordable prices. 

“I have definitely spent a large sum of money on clothes that I have seen either sponsored or just cute pieces that I saw on creators. I would say at least 10-15 pieces of clothing that I wear a lot were bought either through TikTok or seen for the first time there,” Barton said.

Senior Alexa McCartney’s fashion sense has been impacted from the last couple of months and the app has helped her develop her own wardrobe. 

“I definitely think my sense of style changed over quarantine. I gained a lot of inspiration from TikTok, and I was always favoriting and saving videos with outfits I liked. TikTok is a great way for me to find fashion inspiration and also to learn about things going on in the world, depending on who you follow.”

Though she enjoys TikTok’s videos, she also points out some negative sides that come along with it. 

“On the other hand, I spend way too much time on it, as do a lot of people I know. Like most social media, it can show unrealistic expectations and sometimes leaves me feeling bad about myself.” McCartney said. 

She follows many different people for inspiration and one of her most liked influencers is Alyin Alexandra (@canyonc0wgurl). 

“A bunch of the people I follow is because I like their style but one of my favorites is @canyonc0wgurl. I really like how she uses colors and accessories to elevate her outfits, and how she combines modern fashion with styles from the past to create some really cool looks,”  McCartney said.

Alexandra, who has over 26 thousand followers on TikTok, explains how much she likes the app to connect with all different kinds of people.  

“I think anyone can be a fashion influencer on TikTok. The cool thing about this app is that everything that is posted is so easily accessible to a bigger audience than any other social media platform,” Alexandra said in an Omega interview. “I don’t think of myself to have the best style. Though, I really like it when people tell me they like my outfits or ask where I get my clothes. It makes me feel good.”

Apart from the others, junior Ryann Wendt followed one specific fashion trend where she took an item that she already had and made it more modern. 

“I saw a TikTok about cutting an old pair of boots into slippers and I had some and told my friends I had wanted to try it. So I did: I cut my old Uggs and I love them,” Wendt said. 

TikTok fashion isn’t just for the girls, male teenagers’ fashion has also been impacted due to the app’s way of evolving trends. Junior Jakub Jasinski describes his new pieces of clothing that add to his current look. 

“The vintage, baggy look has probably been my favorite trend to follow while on TikTok. I think it’s great seeing what my parents would have worn when they were in high school. My mom was happy when her oversized windbreaker fit me. Now it’s probably become my favorite windbreaker. As well, I love mixing the vintage look and the ‘in’ look to get a good combination.” Jasinski said.

Overall, Jasinski explains what his favorite part about the app is and ultimately has a positive review. 

“The variety and originality of content is probably my favorite part. There is always something for someone and I rarely feel that I’m watching the same videos which is part of the reason why I can’t stop watching,” Jasinski said.