Yesterday as I sat within the confines of my room, I scrolled through Pinterest and came across an - entirely new to me – aesthetic known as soft grunge. Now I had heard of “soft girl” and “grunge” separately but the amalgam came as a surprise. Never had I thought that something like this could have existed/ appealed to people my age. But then again why not?

 

The ever changing aesthetic centric culture has gained much popularity in recent times. It is highly unlikely for a being to go uncategorized within the “groupings” of social media and its different styles. While all this is good and varied, why is it that I also come across many of my fellows struggling and battering themselves into these very categories. An aesthetic by definition is being concerned with beauty or appreciation of it1. However, this does not seem to be the case anymore.

 

While there is no doubt that it would be considered nice to figure out the deep chasm of identity confusion, thinking that one is required to “fit into” one certain grouping , now that is a fallacy. As it is the pandemic has brought upon us great displeasure and isolation amidst our minds, the frivolous importance given to the classification is now gaining popularity. Demeaning oneself has become a trend in itself and is harming not only the mental health of individuals but infecting the societal hivemind as well.

 

Ergo, seeking unspoken validation through Instagram likes, snap scores, followers, tweets and many more has now become one of the most prominent methods of placating oneself. Unfortunately, there are numerous factors within the vicinity that impact the ambivalence regarding identity and its mix with the portrayal of social media trends before them. Before addressing the factors, ironically the façade of “prioritizing mental well-being” has also become a trend. In continuation, aspects of daily life such as the movies you watch, the people you surround yourself with, the discussions you have, your “morning routine” and many more mundane activities create the very toxic ambiance that Instagram influencers pretend to “tackle” or “address”.

 

The situation from a more fashion centric view in regards to the industry, is also an ordeal of sorts that must be discussed. Firstly, the fashion industry is now being questioned concerning whether or not has the concept of seasonality come to an end? It is evident that there has been haphazard releases of various collections, either at a single period all together or during mismatched seasons. In an article by Amy De Klerk, she mentions that this aforementioned series of events is main due to the fact that “designers may no longer see fit to create under these same strict boundaries”. Moreover, Rebecca Tinker, womenswear buyer at Selfridges – during an interview alludes to the fact that “Collections are more seasonless than ever, as brands take more of a considered approach to the longevity of a collection.[…..]This is strongly resonating with our customers who seek pieces that they can keep in their wardrobe longer than a season. “In addition to that, within the

same article it states that this has been pervasive throughout recent years. One thing is for sure, consumer behaviour is shifting. 2

 

Concluding, the fashion industry is just one of the many aspects that have fallen under the influence of social media and the ever changing trends in this word. This begs the question are we creating new fashion trends within ourselves to in hopes of distracting ourselves from focusing on pleasing and prioritizing what matters the most (us)? So, it is absolutely fine to be confused, it’s okay to not know where you’re headed because you aren’t the only. Take your time to figure this out, come to terms with the fact that you may never, but in the end don’t forget that this is all for solely you. Do not suffocate and entangle yourselves amidst the act of pleasing anybody other that yourself.

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Written by: Ada Sethi

Edited by: Ishaani Patil

Designed by: Siya Mehra