Quick question: if there was no such thing as social media, would you dress the way you do? Would you buy the things that you buy? Would you shop as much as you perhaps do? Here at SFF, we've been thinking a lot about whether or not today's fashion is truly about self-expression or if it's about the need/want to fit in. Over the years, how clothing is produced and consumed has drastically changed. In years past, shopping was reserved for special occasions. Today, shopping has become a form of entertainment where every day (and every emotion) is a reason to shop. 🛍🛒 The rise of influencers and social media has affected how everyday people view their wardrobe, convincing them that what they have isn’t good enough and that they need to buy more in order to fit into social constructs and portray the lifestyle they identify with. Soooo much of “fashion and style” today is driven by trends, social constructs, status, and often, self worth. With this in mind, can something tied to social status (and capitalism) ever truly be considered self-expressive? 🤔 If you ask around, people often point to the ability to express themselves through fashion as the reason why they buy. Certainly, there's an element of truth to that, but is it truly self-expression/creativity if it’s a dupe of an outfit you pinned on Pinterest or saw your favorite influencer wearing on Tiktok? Is it truly self-expression if you're buying fill-in-the-blank-thing because everyone in the social group you identify with has it, uses it, and posts it on social media? 🤔 If there was no such thing as social media, would you dress the way you do or feel the need to "express" yourself in the way that you do? ...even among sustainability enthusiasts...there’s a look and an aesthetic... Sooo curious to hear your thoughts! Let's discuss! 💬👇🏾