The Fashion Clash
The kids' section in clothing stores is almost non-existent now while children are glued to social media. A little taste of intriguing food for thought on how fashion is blending across generations.
"Lila Grace Adapts Kate Moss's Classic '90s Party Outfit," available through British Vogue, courtesy of Ricky Vigil M/Getty Images. © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
Have you ever, as a 20-something, strolled down the street in your brand-new, objectively super cool jacket, only to spot a 13-year-old running past you in the exact same one? Because, if you have, trust me, you’re not alone. When I asked my friends about this, I quickly realized that we are definitely not alone. Almost all of them nodded silently in agreement. Now, there’s no obvious issue here – we can all wear what we like, right? But fashion plays a fundamental role in society, serving as a beacon that reflects and communicates the essence of our current sociocultural moment. Fashion and clothes have long been status symbols and a form of self-expression, signaling to the world who we are as part of our non-verbal communication. What's interesting is that, traditionally, what’s considered trendy for a 13-year-old was quite different from what’s fashionable for a 20- or 30-year-old. But these days, that gap seems to be shrinking. What’s going on?
Now, I’m no expert, but here’s my not-so-professional take. First – and maybe most importantly – we live in an increasingly interconnected world. Everyone’s on social media. Your aunt, your grandma, your little cousin – even your dog, at one point, may have had an Instagram account. With almost every age group online, we all have access to endless streams of information. You could be watching the same videos as your grandma and your little sister. Who knows? Of course, algorithms play a huge role here, so if you share similar interests or purchasing habits, then, really, who knows. This access to information, I believe, has blurred the lines between age groups – especially in fashion. Generally, something is either trending, or it’s not. Today, this seems more consistent than ever before. So, why should fashion trends differ based on age? Apparently, they don’t. What’s trending is trending for everyone – and it’s right there on social media for us all to see. So, these status symbols and tools of self-expression start to look more alike as we increasingly consume the same content.
Right, so on social media, I don’t know if you’ve noticed the viral content raging about the children’s section at stores like H&M or Zara – but I have. And if you don’t know what I’m talking about, just pop into one of these stores, and brace yourself for a shock. The clothes look like miniature versions of adult outfits – almost like tiny imitations. Not only are kids exposed to the same content as adults, but they’re also being actively encouraged to dress like us. Now, I get that stores are catering to their customers, and yes, it’s the kids who want these clothes. But can children really make the best decisions about what they wear? Now, there’s nothing wrong with kids stepping out of their comfort zones and finding themselves through fashion. But when the clothing for children and adults becomes nearly identical, it’s less about self-expression and more about blending in. It’s no wonder you see mini versions of the same clothes when that’s what the stores offer. Children want to wear what they’ve seen on social media, and when they go to the shop, it’s right there waiting for them.
So, is it really so bad that kids get to wear what they want to? You might ask. Because if children want to wear trendy clothes, shouldn’t they just get to wear it? Personally, I’m torn. On the one hand, yes – kids should be able to express themselves. But on the other hand, we need to be mindful of the pressures they’re already facing. Children are precious members of society, and with the ever-present media and all the challenges they face today, they’re under enough pressure as it is. We don’t need to add more pressure for them to look to act like adults. Because if the line between childhood and adulthood starts to blur too much, then where does childhood go? The childhood of Polly Pockets and trinkets we fondly remember is being replaced by social media and trips to the mall. So maybe this fashion phenomenon is a sign that the general idea of childhood is fading? Of course, it’s being replaced by a completely different experience – one they’ll hold dear in their own way. As society evolves, so do our perceptions.
Maybe I’m being dramatic. Or maybe there’s some real food for thought here. Honestly, you tell me. In an increasingly interconnected world, with endless information at our fingertips, is this just the natural outcome? That our interests and identities merge a bit depending on our echo chambers, and that we end up stumbling upon the same content as our neighbors? Or is this something worth considering? This generational overlap isn’t just limited to fashion – we’ve all seen kids at Sephora, obsessed with skincare and workout routines. So maybe this hyper-connected world is putting more pressure on children than we realize – and fashion is just one example of that. What do you think?
