No Style, Just Hype: How Fashion Became a Clout-Driven Circus
Fashion used to be about self-expression—now it’s just a glorified logo parade. Somewhere along the way, people stopped dressing for themselves and started dressing for validation. Every street corner, club, and Instagram explore page is flooded with the same predictable outfits, worn by people who mistake wearing a brand for having a sense of style. Instead of personal expression, we’ve got a generation of copy-paste fashion followers who don’t think—they just consume.
February 14th . Written by Ryan Packer & Jade DiMaryia The Illusion of Individuality
We’re living in a time when wearing a vintage leather jacket with jorts and sambas isn’t a personal statement—it’s a uniform for people who think liking thrift stores makes them special. Social media has turned fashion into a never-ending echo chamber where everyone is dressing the same but patting themselves on the back for being "different." Newsflash: slapping together a Depop haul and throwing on some wire-rim glasses doesn’t give you an aesthetic—it makes you another NPC in the style metaverse.
The problem isn’t that trends exist. It’s that people blindly follow them without an ounce of individuality. Instead of curating a wardrobe that reflects personality, people just ask, “What’s trending?” and dress accordingly. The same Nike Techs, the same designer tracksuits, the same disposable fast-fashion hauls. The result? A world where personal style is dead, and clout-chasing is king.
The Trashification of Fashion: Shein & Fashion Nova’s War on Taste
Let’s be real—Shein and Fashion Nova weren’t made for people with style, they were made for people who want to fake it. These brands mass-produce the lowest quality clothes possible and flood the internet with micro-trends that have the lifespan of a TikTok challenge. People who shop here aren’t building a wardrobe; they’re just stockpiling outfits for Instagram pictures. And it shows.
Fast fashion isn’t just cheap—it looks cheap. Paper-thin fabric, stretched-out seams, and designs that look like they were pulled from a rejected club flyer. And yet, people continue to eat it up because it lets them mimic whatever aesthetic is trending for the month. The end result? A fashion landscape filled with trashy, disposable clothing worn by people who have no idea how to actually dress.
From Personal Style to Copy-Paste Fashion
There was a time when getting dressed was an art—when mixing textures, patterns, and silhouettes was a way to say something about who you were. Now, fashion is just about slapping together whatever outfit social media told you was “fire” this week. It’s not about self-expression anymore; it’s about performing for likes and comments. The same brands, the same fits, the same desperate attempt to look like a fashion page repost.
The worst part? People actually believe this is style. There’s no thought behind it, no creativity, just an outfit checklist stolen from whatever influencer or rapper went viral last. If it has a logo, it’s automatically considered “drippy.” If it’s expensive, people assume it’s stylish. But true style isn’t about money, it’s about taste—and taste can’t be bought.
Head-to-Toe Nike Tech Bros & the One-Brand Robots
If your entire outfit is from one brand, you don’t have style—you have a uniform. Wearing a full Nike Tech suit isn’t fashion, it’s laziness. It’s the go-to fit for guys who want to look put together without actually putting any thought into what they’re wearing. Just throw on the same tracksuit every other dude is wearing and call it a day. No originality, no risk, just another clone in the lineup.
The same goes for the designer drones who dress in head-to-toe Amiri, Moncler, or Balenciaga like they’re being sponsored. Just because a brand is expensive doesn’t mean it looks good—especially when you’re wearing it like a walking billboard. Real style comes from mixing pieces, creating contrast, and knowing what actually fits your personality. If all you do is buy a full set from one label and call it fashion, you’re not dressing—you’re advertising.
The Ugly Truth: Most People Don’t Have Style
Here’s the truth that most people don’t want to hear: style takes effort, and most people are too lazy to develop it. It’s easier to copy what’s trending than to take risks, easier to buy an entire outfit from one brand than to actually curate a look. The reason everyone looks the same is because most people are terrified of standing out. They don’t want to take risks, they don’t want to experiment—they just want to fit in.
But that’s what separates people who actually have style from the ones who just chase hype. Fashion isn’t about who has the most logos, who spent the most money, or who’s following the latest micro-trend. It’s about creativity, confidence, and having the guts to dress in a way that actually represents who you are. So ask yourself: are you wearing your clothes, or are your clothes wearing you?