“Forms of electronic communication (such as websites for social networking and microblogging) through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content (such as videos).”
The above is the definition of social media by Merriam-Webster’s dictionary.
Social media is a virtual world with vast information, opportunities, connections, etcetera. Although, everything good has disadvantages, you would strongly agree with me that the benefits of social media outweigh any defects.
Fashion is the prevailing style, custom, or usage (as in dress) during a particular time or location. Everyone follows fashion, whether consciously or unconsciously.
Common Types of Fashion
I will be highlighting the four most basic fashion types.
- Casual Fashion: This style is comfortable, and suitable for everyday wear. It includes jeans, t-shirts, sneakers, and other comfortable clothing items.
- Formal Fashion: Formal fashion is elegant and sophisticated, often worn for special events like weddings, galas, or business meetings. It includes suits, evening gowns, dress shirts, and formal shoes.
- Streetwear: Streetwear is inspired by urban culture and often includes oversized clothing, hoodies, sneakers, etcetera.
- High Fashion: High fashion refers to designer clothing that is luxurious, exclusive, and often custom-made. It’s associated with top fashion houses and runway shows. The likes of Dior, Naked Wolfe, Louis Vuitton, etcetera.
How Social Media has Impacted the Fashion Industry
There are various platforms that promote fashion, fashion designers, influencers, and models. They are:
- TikTok: This is literally the “king” of trends. Anything that goes viral begins from TikTok. There are various influencers on TikTok who promote fashion, fashion houses, and styles.
- Pinterest: This is the most conservative fashion app. It gives access to various styles in varieties. You could go there for style inspiration, how to pair clothing pieces, colour combinations, suitable style for any event and look fabulous. Dressing hacks are also commonly found here.
- Instagram: This is the base of lots of fashion designers and celebrities. Fashion designers who work for top celebrities get the celebrities to appear on their pages to boost sales and register credibility.
These are all key channels for fashion brands and influencers to showcase trends, styles, and products.
In Africa, Nigeria in particular, we are very culturally inclined. With over 250 ethnic groups and 36 states, every ethnic group has a mode of fashion. Social media has played a vital role in the spread of various fashion styles.
Come to think of it, without social media, how could Northerners know how Westerners dress? Or how do Nigerians know what Libyans wear? They would have to travel far and wide to be aware of their culture.
But, thanks to social media, you could have a device; phone, laptop, palmtop, tablet, etc.—with a good Internet connection and browse whatever you want, the celebrities who have rocked something similar, to know about the fashion style of certain people or a location.
It is not just limited to Nigeria, but globally. We could emulate certain fashion trends which we find appealing even though we have not been to the locations where the fashion trends originated.
It’s just like seeing a white man dressed in agbada (a Yoruba cultural attire peculiar to males). The white man has probably never stepped foot out of his country or continent, but through social media, he sees the way others dress, and he chooses to recreate.
Through social media, humans have become more culturally aware of how things are done all over the world and the peculiarities of fashion in each place.
This also gives room for adaptability, cooperation, and tolerance towards each other.
In conclusion, it is apparent that social media has played a pivotal role in influencing fashion trends and adaptability. Ensure to use social media wisely and productively!
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