“What shoes are we wearing this spring?”

“Is leopard print still in?”

“Are sequences making a comeback?”

These are some of the discourses I have heard regarding upcoming fashion trends in 2025. 

We are living in a constant cycle of short-lived micro trends before finding the next thing to hyper-fixate on, and the cycle continues. Excessive shopping sprees and living above our means have been normalized, and thanks to online shopping, the ability to support this habit with a tap of a finger has only worsened the problem with overconsumption.

This has greater repercussions aside from financial instability including but not limited to supporting unethical practices, losing individuality and severely harming our environment. 

Although people have always given in to consumer culture, this problem has only increased within the last decade because of social media. It is almost impossible to scroll through any social media platform without being bombarded with advertisements of products. Seeing your favorite influencers show their Black Friday hauls and attach 15 different accessories to their Stanley cup before going on a walk has subconsciously made us think that it is reasonable to consume this much unnecessary junk.

This influences middle-class individuals, who do not even earn as much as those influencers, to give in to this culture of consumption. This is often showcased in the form of fast fashion hauls like Shein, which are notoriously known for poor quality items and labor exploitation, but hey, at least they are on trend.

This culture of overconsumption has come to be a representation of success. Vision boards often include things like wardrobes overflowing with luxury goods, or other extravagances, to signify that they “made it,” equating the ability to live lavishly and overspending to achievements. It also suggests that the more you possess, the happier you will be, which is not the case. 

We are often blinded by the unethical side of consumerism due to our privileges and greed to wanting more. Many of our goods are imported from other countries, with 97% of fast fashion for instance being outsources from countries like Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, India and others. These workers are forced to engage in unbearable conditions where they are overworked and underpaid. However, exploitation is needed in a system where profit and efficiency are placed above all else. 

Most people feel pressured to consume to stay up to date with the newest fashion trend. This inevitably results in loss of personal identity as everyone wants to follow the same trend and subsequently look the same. 

Asking to bring back a certain trend or if “we” can start wearing something for it to be trendy is something I often hear while scrolling. Why does something have to be trending for you to enjoy wearing it? It is important to embrace your own style and uniqueness even if it is not a trend, because authenticity outlives all trend.

To alleviate the guilt of impulsive purchases, most people turn to donating their excess clothing, oblivious to what happens to them afterward. Most of these used items are escorted to developing countries where they are either sold in markets, or left to take up space in landfills, and pollute oceans and air as a result of combustion.

It is difficult to push back against overconsumption when we are surrounded by a society that participates and celebrates this culture. On the other end of the spectrum, I do not think living an extremely frugal lifestyle and refraining yourself from having pleasuring experiences with money is efficient. 

Although the root of overconsumption and its consequences are much more complex than I could explain, I believe becoming more conscious of the choices we make in terms of where and what we choose to spend our money on is a good place to start. After all, you vote with your dollars. 

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