Micro trends are often criticized for encouraging teenagers to waste their money or simply follow their peers. Many people argue that these trends rarely last because they come and go so quickly, but I beg to differ.

For teenagers, I see micro trends as beneficial rather than just a waste. These fashion trends help teens explore their own personal style and step out of their comfort zone. Fast-fashion can be seen as an experiment with self-expression in a way that will not feel too grand, and feels safe and socially supported at the same time.

Fast-fashion trends push teenagers to think creatively about their clothing choices. When a new micro trend circles around, teenagers are not just buying an item, they are thinking of how to style it and how it fits into their personal wardrobe.

While this also helps teens grow their creativity, fast-fashion allows small businesses to thrive. When a specific clothing piece gets praised on Instagram or TikTok, small brands and independent creators get their ‘big break.’ For many small businesses, being noticed through a trend can be life-changing. Leading them to reach new audiences and turn their creativity into profit. 

High school is often viewed as a place filled with judgement, especially when it comes to clothing choices. Micro trends make it easier for teens to step out of their comfort zone. When a new trend becomes popular, it creates a shared experience that makes trying something new now feel so much safer. Teens may feel more confident wearing something out of their comfort zone when others are doing the same. Thus, that encourages confidence and a feeling of acceptance.

As someone who likes fashion and is aware of the micro trends circulating, I see them as opportunities rather than problems. Others might argue that micro trends are straying you away from independent decision making. Rather, I think a micro trend does not determine your independence, but instead, you find your independence through choosing that micro trend.

Fast-fashion allows us to experiment with accessorizing, trying new styles, and gathering support for small businesses. All in all, micro trends can be a positive force for teenagers by growing their creativity and confidence. With those newfound traits, teenagers have the chance to find their own identity through fashion.

Teenagers are always on the hunt for the next trending item, whether that be clothing, food, or makeup. To fit these short-lived trends, many families are spending unnecessary money to fulfill the trending wants of a teenager.

Social media advertises all kinds of products that appeal to the teenage eyes. With this, items are constantly going in and out of circulation. Especially with clothes, the hot new overpriced product that is guaranteed to be outdated in a few months is still being bought worldwide.

Since social media is so influential on the younger generations, influencers can essentially hypnotize teenagers into buying what will give them the most revenue. And yet the children cannot open their eyes and realize just how much money they are spending and how their purchases affect the world. 

Many of the fast fashion industries rely on child labor to supply their micro trends, which is undoubtedly horrible. There are around 260 million children who are under-employed around the world, and around 170 million of them engaged in child labor. Buying from websites like SHEIN, Temu, and Fashion Nova supports child labor and only motivates it. 

Micro trends are important to a teenager’s life, though. It is hard to fit in during high school. Being up-to-date on the new trends is what is really the trend, but there are other ways to be fashionable and on trend.

Buying a closet full of basics allows for an endless possibility of outfit combinations while also being chic and stylish. By only buying trends and micro trends often only allows for minimal outfit combinations with it. 

It is hard for teenagers to fit trends when they have to pay for their own clothes. Buying basic and high quality items might be expensive at the moment, but ultimately pays off more than constantly buying cheap bad quality items.

By buying cheaper clothing, you are also contributing to the worsening pollution in the world. With the mass production of fast fashion products, the environment has experienced lasting repercussions, especially with CO2 emissions. Four billion tons of CO2 emissions are attributed to this fast fashion industry. These CO2 emissions are irreversible, yet these industries continue their pollution contribution for the benefit of their own revenue.

One person does not need the hot new iPhone every year or ten versions of a white shirt. The overlooked consumerism in America is masked by the trends circulating.

The want to fit into society and cheaply made goods that allow teenagers to easily fulfill that, do not equate to the unethical labor and harmful environmental impacts that fast fashion has.