Microtrends are often fueled by social media.

Have you ever heard someone say “I’m so cooked,” or “6 7” in day-to-day conversation? These are phrases embedded into our everyday language—thanks to social media. From Uggs and Owalas to Adidas Sambas and the “clean girl aesthetic,” these trends all exist because of social media.

Social media has become a powerful force in shaping how teens express themselves. But as these trends accelerate, many members of Gen Z say they are overwhelmed by the overload of trendy clothes and new phrases they encounter every time they pick up their phones.

A microtrend is a short-lived niche trend that emerges rapidly, often within specific communities or on social media platforms, and fades just as quickly–sometimes lasting only a few months or even weeks.

These microtrends tend to be associated with Gen Z, but members of that generation say they are overwhelmed by the overload of trendy clothes and new phrases. Often, these fads heavily influence purchases and decisions by social media users. Sophomore Ayn Chung admitted that “even if it’s not cute, I’ll buy it because it is trending, even if it is expensive, too.”

This pressure to keep up isn’t just constant; it’s costly.

This rapid cycle is driven primarily by TikTok. According to a 2022 Pew Research Center study, 67% of U.S. teens ages 13-17 use TikTok, with 16% of all teens saying they use it “almost constantly.”

Unlike older social media that showed you content from friends, the “For You Page” (FYP) delivers a constant stream of videos it predicts teens would enjoy, regardless of who made them. One algorithm tests new videos on small groups of users. If a video gets good engagement (likes, shares, high watch time), it is immediately pushed to a much larger audience. This process can turn a video from a small creator with a few dozen views into one with millions in just a few hours.

Because so many teens feel pressured to stay current with fashion and aesthetic trends, trends spread faster than ever. When a new style or phrase goes viral, millions of young users rush to adopt it, often within days. 47% of Gen Z say they feel pressured to buy clothes just to “fit in” with current fashion trends on social media. Sophomore Aya Hadi said, “I bought new shoes because they were trending on TikTok.”

According to Common Sense Media, microtrends can negatively affect mental health. 22% of teens believe TikTok contributes to feelings of insecurity due to beauty and success standards,

Microtrends also take a financial toll. According to Newsweek, 56% of Gen Z report experiencing financial strain from trying to keep up with fast-changing fashion trends, while 42% admit to sacrificing essential items (like food or savings) to afford trendy clothing.

On the bright side, microtrends also shape Gen Z’s expression of identity through fashion, language, and curated “aesthetics.”

Fashion trends are evolving faster than ever.

Platforms like TikTok and Instagram have revived styles from past decades and introduced many microtrends. Take Uggs, for example: once a huge part of early 2000s fashion, they’ve made a nostalgic comeback. Similarly, classic Adidas sneakers, like Sambas, have returned and have been reimagined. Even Nike Air Force 1s are slowly being replaced by these styles.

Social media platforms have also transformed the way teens speak, with new slang born and spreading at lightning speed. Phrases like “I’m so cooked” or “it’s giving…” are examples of micro-dialects—variations in language that come from within specific online communities. For example, “6-7” started as an inside joke and is now used in day-to-day conversations.

Social media doesn’t just influence what we wear or say; it also shapes our identities. Aesthetics like “clean girl,” “dark academia,” and “baddie” offer curated identities that teens often adopt with specific fashion choices, lifestyle habits, and even personality traits, to create a sense of belonging. 

Social media has become a powerful force in shaping how teens express themselves through fashion, language, and identity. While this can foster creativity and community, it also raises questions about authenticity, conformity, and the pressure to keep up with those trends. As social media continues to evolve, so will all the ways teens define themselves. The question remains: are teens participating in a trend because they truly like it, or just because they are following the crowd?