The Dark Side of TikTok Aesthetics: Are Microtrends Ruining Fashion?

[@CalebSnell]

What was your favorite microtrend to come out of TikTok over the last four years? Did I miss any good ones?

[@ZaneAnderson1]

When it comes to bags I think the EW trend is a good one. Not a fan of the mob wife look.

[@minneapaulis]

The world was fun during Barbiecore im js

[@Katerina_Kitsi]

This is the first time ever, that I am commenting on a KZbin video before, but regarding the mob wife aesthetic: I am Greek and I always have incorporated parts of this trend into my wardrobe, and so has my mother and many older women I know, e.g. I have a fur coat my mom handed down to me. I feel that in certain southern or eastern European countries, these classic feminine pieces (little black dresses, pumps, gold jewelry, fur coats) are used more commonly when dressing for occasions. For me, it's rather unusual to see women in northern Europe go out so casually dressed. So instead of 'mob wife' maybe it's rather a 'classic dress up' look.

[@genzillennial]

Of course office wear in the club is coming back, it happens every recession. There’s no a greater flex than being employed in this job market 😂😭

[@CourtneyDefuria]

This was a good summary. I noticed all the micro trends pointed back to fashion and settings from at least 15 years ago. It seems we are not interested in futuristic ideas and maybe don’t have much optimism for it. Ironically, during y2k, the trends rode on futurism.

[@kendiemma7507]

I have really enjoyed this video. I am now a subscriber and cannot wait to talk more fashion. I have found myself adopting and incorporating bits of fashion trends into my personal style and wardrobes. I like cheetah print,clean girl makeup, bloke core flars with wide jeans, fashion is just so personal and great

[@Wilma.Flintstone]

I'm too old (and non-willing) to partake in fashion trends, so technically no trend was my favorite, lol I would have added "thrift-core" to your list, which as a very long-time thrifter myself, I both liked that so many people realized the joys of second-hand shopping, but I also hated it because thrift stores became SO crowded and stores hiked up their prices to high heavens! I wish I could attach photos to comments, because "thrift-core" has a definite look to it!

[@ZaneAnderson1]

Loving the new editing feature! 😉 makes it dynamic.

[@CalebSnell]

Good work!!

[@SofiaSeesBeauty]

I noticed 👍

[@aprilshouseofflair]

Love the tour of aesthetics and trends of the past few years. I’m not one to follow trends but when something I like comes back “in style” I scoop up and restock 😂 looking at you burgundy, leopard 🐆, and wide leg jeans. Same with maxi skirts. Then I’ll wear them long after the trend passes.

[@SofiaSeesBeauty]

My fave is anything Y2K cause I get to relive all my nostalgia! It was a fun, flirty, and slightly tacky vibe that I enjoy 😂

[@CalebSnell]

Same! Easily the best time in fashion!

[@kristinpenta]

Oh my gosh - this was such a fun blast through the past few years of trends! lol at the name "Coastal Grandmother"...As a former ballet student, I loved ballet core...but was slightly annoyed by it for the reasons you mentioned as well! lol. At the end of the day, people can wear what they love. : )

[@CalebSnell]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! And I agree, people can always wear what they love!

[@sof7068]

Honestly, I think dark academia has been a bit of a mainstay, because it’s more of a subculture at its core (no pun intended). I would say the peak of dark academia was actually around 2019, where most of gen community was in it not really for the fashion, but to learn together, to discover our passions, to just romanticise life in general. When you think of subculture, you probably think of alternative subcultures and how they’re rooted in music, dark academia was rooted in vibes, and learning. We all just wanted to study music, art, and the classics. The fashion was just a plus side. TikTok then of course, had to come in and dilute its core values to well… a "core" aesthetic. I’m not really into the community anymore, I don’t think it’s active anyways, but I still incorporate dark academia values into my daily life. That’s what’s getting me through law school.

[@Leugiec]

I like to think that these micro-trends help old and new generations (re)discover themselves, and it's also fun to watch all of the big designer houses almost detaching their designs and "aesthetic core" to reach every micro-trend.

[@riceluv]

LOVE THE BAG CHARM! Especially the plushie ones! When Jisoo from Blackpink put a Hello Kitty plushie as a bag charm on her Lady Dior bag and I FELL IN LOVE!

[@orangesnowflake3769]

I love this too!

[@jennypaxton8159]

I am pale. I am so pale. If I were to go for the Mob Wife Aesthetic, there would be no “Italian glow”, I would look hilarious! Fortunately, however, the Irish mob is also a thing! I could get behind that: blonde, pale, and looking like I might or might not have a shiv on my person.

[@kindredkowski]

I love this comment 😂

[@CalebSnell]

Hahaha! I'm here for this new microtrend!

[@Cestjosh]

Bayonetta is the ultimate Office Siren, but I think some people didn't quite get the vibe. As you said, if done wrong, you indeed will look like Sarah Palin in her version of a "Politician's Gone Wild" centerfold. I personally connect the most with the quiet luxury and old money trends, as logoless, "smart" garments have always attracted me more than something with intense branding. It's a bit bittersweet seeing these trends though, as people used to say that I dressed "old" for wearing relaxed blazers and corduroy trousers, but now it's sought-after? It's funny how mindsets change once something is trendy.

[@krisabbott6784]

Caleb. You taken me down memory fashion lane. My look is the quite luxury.

[@joecarroll8286]

I legitimately lol’ed at the Sarah Palin cosplay.

[@CalebSnell]

Haha! It's so true!

[@MollDoll0314]

Such a fun look back on all the trends! I still have a piece or two from every trend jic I need to whip something up 😂 can’t wait to see what 2025 brings for trends!

[@martinehuardguillemette6371]

Loved the Barbie movie 🩷 And we just entered the Mojo Dojo Casa House era. 🐴

[@kaylheecarroll3186]

Great video, definitely memory lane of my teenage years ❤😊!

[@Pinkbear20]

I am an older millenial, xennial if you will. I really like the quiet luxury microtrend or normcore. But my likes in fashion has always stayed the same since high school. Throughout my teens, 20s, and 30s, I wore jeans, band tee, army jacket, and sneakers or boots. Now I wear dresses because I went to work one day and wore a dress with leggings and it was like wearing pajamas. I have slowly been going back to my band tees and jeans..so I guess I am normcore.

[@orangesnowflake3769]

I want to dress a little better but same here really, I wear army jacket, boots, jeans and band tee 😅

[@MelissaAdams-Wade]

I think that my style is a cross between cottage core and basics. I love a girly flowy dress, I also love a denim shirt with a tee shirt.

[@joshyboy1974]

❤ great video Caleb!!!! I think the next big thing will be 1980's big earrings, neon , vintage swatch rugby tops, ❤

[@bags_books_and_bowwows]

I would worry about bag charms scratching my actual bag

[@CalebSnell]

Same! I've heard horror stories!

[@myfashionkillz]

I love ballet core-those Louboutin Cassia ballet heels are so good. I also like the mob wife aesthetic without darkening one's skin. It's a tacky contrast to quiet luxury. Dark academia is my vibe, too. I love all the colors and prints. My favorite though is bag charms. It's a fun way to spruce up the bags in your closet without paying big bucks for a new bag.

[@CalebSnell]

These are all great points! I love how we can all find things we like in the microtrends!

[@Orion126126]

Bag charms are eternally classic 😊

[@minneapaulis]

Wait, norm core is how I dress now lmaoooooooooo

[@danielintheantipodes6741]

Thank you for the video!

[@Keystonekweer]

Concerning quiet luxury... I'll start with saying I tend not to buy more recognizable pieces like LV monogrammed bags for a few reasons. First, they're overpriced, despite declining quality. Second, I work in a field where ostentation would not be appreciated -- so I would only wear those pieces in my leisure. Third, there are under-the-radar brands that have quality as good or better than well-known brands. But I also don't have a problem with statement pieces. In an article in 'The Cut' entitled 'Enough With Quiet Luxury,' the author takes on the elitism of the Quiet Luxury and overlapping Old Money trends. She says, “It’s an especially backward trend for women who have worked harder for their careers. Why should they be humble about it?” Why would they not want to outshine the man who’s been wearing the same Ralph Lauren shirt for the last two decades?” I feel similarly as a Black Queer man. My personal style tends to be more reserved, but I've worked hard to get where I am and I'm not going to hide my success on purpose. As for the microtrends, I like the bag charm trend. I have keychains, necklaces, and dedicated bag charms that I add on my bags to give them a little of my personality. However, I see people with these stuffed animals and large items hanging from their bags, and that's a bit too much. I think with bag charms, less is more. Barbiecore reminded me of Millennial Pink from around 2017, which Veronique Hyland talks about in her book 'Dress Code.' And that seems poised to make another comeback this year as 'Powder Pink.' I don't mind it. Being gender non-conforming, I've enjoyed Cottagecore. I didn't buy into that one because Son De Flor and Selkie are a bit pricey, but I could get down with a Little House On The Prairie dress! I didn't like Balletcore. I agree with you that the ballet shoes look uncomfortable. So some of these trends I really liked and others, not so much. I don't think it's a bad thing. If people can use these microtrends to find their own personal style, I think that's a good thing.

[@sawsanalh2802]

I was totally with you on office siren and mob wife but you completely lost me at the bag charms and now I just wanna hate. Bag charms are The Best and i and my army of charms and little plush toys are willing to fight and die on that hill.

[@CalebSnell]

It's not a fair fight, I don't have an army of charms! 🤣

[@Bballgirly042]

Your definition of brat is so brat

[@Restless318]

thank you for bag charing like buy Emprire 40 and make fuck up with cheap looking with 100 dollars. charming