Strong social media influence constantly changes fashion trends, inspiring people to experiment with different styles. For some people, choosing clothes might be mindless, and they might not care as much about individual style. For others, however, clothes are a way to express their personality, and a lot more thought might go into what they choose to wear. 

2024 was a year heavily influenced by TikTok and other social media platforms. From trends like the coquette aesthetic defined by ribbons, pearls, and lace to the comeback of jorts, Gen Z fashion trends have been a combination of modernism and also taking inspiration from past generations. However, there is one thing that Gen Z returns to: comfort. 

The halls of East are full of kids in sweatpants, sweatshirts, and comfy slides. Gen Z has steered away from the idea of dressing up and rather focuses on the idea of being comfortable and relaxed. 

Junior, Olivia Rhoads, says she prefers more clean and basic fashion choices. 

“I follow the trends that are mainly basic, such as the ‘clean girl aesthetic.’ Anything with plain colors or anything that looks clean I like,” Rhoads said. 

The ‘clean girl aesthetic’ gained popularity on TikTok around 2022 and is still relevant today. It involves looking your best without trying, using makeup that is not too obvious, and wearing modern but classic clothes. This trend has defined many of the fashion choices at East, as many influencers portray it. 

Popular social media trends have such big influences that Rhoads fears originality is lost in fashion.

“Whoever is popular, people want to dress like them and copy their style so then everyone looks the same. Like Demetra Dias, a lot of people want to dress like her,” Rhoads said.  

Sarah Mieloszyk, junior, also emphasizes the lack of uniqueness around East. 

“I’m looking at everyone in this lunch room right now and they’re all wearing the same outfit, to be honest. Hoodies with jeans, leggings, sweatpants, or pajama pants,” Mieloszyk said. 

Junior, Emma Wheatley, adds that she feels what you wear could reflect who you are but she herself simply focuses on the convenience of wearing comfortable clothes. 

“I put on something because it is comfortable. I think fashion should represent your personality but I don’t have the time or the money. I don’t put enough effort into it,” Wheatley said.

However, Mieloszyk argues that comfortable clothing is a way to express yourself. 

“I think dressing comfortably is your personality too though. It shows you are carefree, and you go with the flow,” Mieloszyk said. “I think clothing is a very good way to see someone express themselves no matter how simple it is.”

This idea of simplicity and comfort within the younger generations inspired Ram Chaganti, an East Alumnus, with his clothing brand. 

“My design philosophy has resembled being as minimal as possible and understanding less is more,” Chaganti said. “My design philosophy is also a lot more functional so I’m much more focused on the drape of fabric and how things feel.”

Chaganti, inspired by high school and college fashion, has implemented varsity sweatshirts in his brand. 

“Different areas of the world inspire me. Lately, I’ve been fascinated by the varsity look- jackets, gym clothes, and high school-type clothing. I want the fabrics to give a feeling of comfort, like high schoolers wearing sweats for that cozy vibe,” Chaganti said. 

Within his brand, Chaganti hopes to promote the idea of comfort and simplicity and also continue to emphasize that less is more.

“You can make anything tasteful as long as it’s cohesive,” Chaganti said. 

Cohesiveness and casualness in the clothes he produces are what allow Chaganti’s brand to be down-to-earth and tasteful among high school and college audiences. 

His clothing features a baggy style that reflects Gen Z’s inspiration from earlier generations, particularly the 90s. 

When it comes to other inspirations Chaganti respects influencers and designers such as Virgil Abloh, Tremaine Emory, Kanye West, A$AP Rocky, and Tyler The Creator. 

“I rarely go bar for bar, like looking at reference images. Everything I see, consciously or subconsciously, plays a role in how I think about design,” Chaganti said. 

The inevitable consumption of social media has played a part in helping Chagani build his brand and keeping up to date with pop culture seems to also be important when he’s deciding what to implement. 

Looking at how quickly certain trends come and go, Chaganti brings up the cycle of fashion. 

“Fashion operates in cycles, like a sine wave. It goes up, down, and repeats. Understanding these cycles is critical to creating timeless designs,” Chaganti said. 

Fashion today is all about finding the balance between comfort and self-expression, especially for Gen Z. Social media plays a huge role in shaping trends, but most students just want to feel comfortable while still looking good. As Ram Chaganti points out, timeless style comes down to keeping it simple, cohesive, and true to yourself. 

Follow @ramchagantii for the latest updates on his clothing brand.

Written by Senior Soha-Fatima Osman. Edited by staff writers for Oswego East’s online news magazine The Howl.