The Algorithm Behind Micro Trends;

Our search for a sense of identity as women

As micro trends circulate the media and Tiktok becomes your new best friend influence, we have reached a final boss battle. 

Throughout our lives, we are constantly searching for a sense of identity and curating how we wish to be perceived by the world. With the help of technology, today’s we women are facing a bigger obstacle in their search; copious micro trends striving to influence one's' style— and not much guidance on how to go about navigating them. 

As a teenage girl in the 21st century, it is without a doubt that we feel such a need to fit in. We yearn to be liked, to grasp validation from our peers, all the while longing for a sense of identity. But where has that true sense of identity gone? 

Technology surrounds us and in recent years, so does social media. The problem with social media is it influences us— whether or whether not we realise. This can take shape in many forms e.g. micro trends. Micro trends have brought women both positivity and negativity. For one, women have been able to express their creativity. Conversely, women have felt the need to go out of their way to participate in all the latest micro trends, distracting themselves from their personal goals and values. Failing to indulge in micro trends resulted in a negative mental impact on women; feeling both left out and inducing fear of missing out (FOMO). 

When Tiktok first gained popularity in 2020, a sense of belonging was brought to the table. People were able to share their story to others, and in the process, find others with similar interests. Tiktok’s initial exclusive feel skyrocketed downloads, reeling in content creators from far and wide, and before we knew it, had a firm hold on teenagers. 

Tiktok features the use of a data-driven algorithm and the infamous FYP; the For You Page. One’s FYP is derived from the interactions they make with Tiktoks on the app. What you like, comment on and share play a bigger role in the curation of your feed than you realise. And although we— in a way —are in control of the media we consume, it is possible that if you have been on Tiktok, you may have come across the world of  OOTDs. Though sounding a bit absurd at first, OOTDs are far from the fact. OOTDs or outfit-of-the-day's allow users to explicitly share the details of each clothing garment they wear to their viewers. By doing so, a community is fostered; their viewers feel they have been shared intimate information about the creator, initiating a kind of viewer-creator friendship. In pursuit of building this relationship, viewers buy similar clothing as previously shared by the creator. Now it appears both the viewers and the creator share a common interest (the clothes), furthering a connection and fostering a community. We begin to lay our hands on the sense of identity we’ve been searching for. But, I have to ask myself, is this “sense of identity” purely our own?

It’s human nature for us to try. With Tiktok, it has become that little bit easier to share the experimentations that bring us joy; whether that be a cucumber-candy combo, or a slightly more adventurous mismatched outfit. Psychologically, when we see someone try something, and more importantly, enjoy it, we want to indulge in a part of that joy. Let’s take ribbons as an example, a symbol of femininity. Starting off as a simple accessory, something you could wear to school, or to brunch, later, being popularised by content creators and labelled as “coquette” (a well-known aesthetic at the time). Not long after, they became a Tiktok-dominant accessory; we began seeing them everywhere, further leading to an abrupt soar in sales to ribbon-related items. Why is this? As creators boosted views on their ribbon content, viewers momentarily participated in the trend in a domino effect. From this example, it appears that the content we consume holds influence on the materialistic stuff we purchase and therefore the things that make up our sense of identity. 

To establish a finite end in my search, I now endeavour to answer the important question: how can we establish our own sense of identity through the clothes we wear, away from the algorithm and ensure we’re spending our money wisely? As it appears, it is not so easy to answer. Constantly, we are told to wear what we want, have our ‘own’ style, but is that even achievable. Through history we have been influenced by our surroundings. It’s nothing new that the fabric we put on our bodies likely comes from the influence of others. Even away from social media, it is truly impossible to entirely eliminate the element of influence when it comes to our fashion sense. The choices we make are the choices we make. Next time you see a “so aesthetic” item of clothing on social media, regather your thoughts and ponder. Ask yourself, are you under-the-influence or really need it— and I mean reallyyy. 

By Saffron Braden