In recent times, TikTok’s future has been placed into the hands of the unknown. As of 2024, the popular app had accumulated more than 1.9 billion active users. From an American perspective, more than 170 million users had downloaded and participated on the app. 

Over the course of the past few years since TikTok’s creation almost a decade ago, several users have become largely influential in specific niches. For example, there are influencers for sports-related, “bookish,” makeup, music, game-related, news-related and—most notably—fashion content. 

Fashion content has always been popular online. However, fashion content became extremely heightened once TikTok rose to its social pedestal. Millions of individuals relied on TikTok influencers to elaborate on recent trends, desired pieces, new aesthetics and unique looks. 

One of my personal favorite fashion influencers is Wisdom Kaye (@wisdm8). He creates interactive videos that discuss the prices of clothing items, best and worst outfits, specific pieces and their fluidity, controversial fashion choices and much more. I have always been inspired by his fashion sense because, even though it is different from mine, his passion is undeniable. 

A good influencer knows how to influence, hence the name. The passion for a subject is what leads to influencing others. I have always been influenced in fashion from social media. Though I have a style that is my own, I have succumbed to trendy items in hopes of understanding the appreciation for such trends. 

The TikTok Shop became viral over the past year because of its ease in distributing trending clothing pieces. They sold other items, but the fashion industry played an enormous role in the success of the shop. In early 2024, the shop was known for its advertisements about shapewear bodysuits. As time went on, they began to advertise other stunning pieces such as sundresses, cheaper versions of Ugg boots and two-piece lounge sets. 

Each user’s For You Page is different, as its algorithm is organized based on your primary interests. It is possible that my algorithm showcased clothing because I love it, and it is possible that another user’s algorithm rarely advertised anything. Nevertheless, I am aware of the influence that multiple users created surrounding fashion. 

Before TikTok’s influence on a fashion basis, Instagram and YouTube were successful in pushing content for outfits and overall aesthetics. However, it wasn’t often that the influencers showing the clothes and accessories would link those pieces to their posts. It was as if social media was real life; when we walk past somebody on a street, they do not have a lingering tag above their head that links their outfit. Tiktok, however, normalized the ability to easily access certain pieces. 

For example, when a user liked a pair of platform Converse, a Miu Miu purse lookalike, tortoise-shell bluelight glasses, gold ring sets with a custom initial or an off-the-shoulder, pink sweatshirt, they could go to the caption of the influencer’s post or the link in their Bio to order the same items, or they could find other interesting pieces. 

Without the realm of TikTok influencers, fashion may become more difficult to keep up with for trending aesthetics or new releases. These influencers created a world in which their fashion-related decisions were welcomed and appreciated. In a way, TikTok is like a news channel. Lots of people—whether it is always factual or not—rely on TikTok to access simple news. Some of this news included fashion choices or information about different brands. 

Before the communication of TikTok’s potential banning, I enjoyed reading about brands’ new collections and the inspiration behind them. I thought it added life and reasoning to what was being dropped to consumers, including myself. Without TikTok, those stories would be harder to distribute. Hopefully, another platform will take the handles and steer us back to the influences we know and love.

Long before TikTok, YouTube was a social phenomena. Thousands of people gained leverage posting long videos about the things that they were passionate about. I have always loved YouTube because it offers a space for everybody to flourish. My hope is that if TikTok does get banned, YouTube will make a comeback to showcasing the fun parts about fashion and others’ favorite forms of content. 

Regardless of what the future holds for TikTok, the app was and is a powerful tool for the generation with cell phones. People found their hobbies, interests, identities and jobs through the app. Nonetheless, our inspirations and newfound selves will consistently live outside of the app. 

We have been shaped by millions of others without knowing it; TikTok brought strangers together without realizing it. We’ll still always be interlinked, and I think that is a very cool fact. There is always going to be a gold-hardware belt that keeps us in the loop. 

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