But also, fashion has some explaining to do.
Let’s get this out of the way: not everyone who likes to dress up loves fashion. And not everyone who loves fashion even wants to participate in the industry. There’s a difference. And that difference is worth talking about.
You like clothes, but maybe not fashion.
Maybe you love Zara hauls. Maybe you live for the thrill of a good sale. You could screenshot OOTDs from Pinterest and recreate them on a budget. That’s taste. That’s style. That’s visual language.
But fashion? Fashion is something else.
It’s not just what you wear. It’s the system behind why you wear it, who made it, and what it says.
Fashion is history, politics, and economics.
Fashion reflects revolutions. The mini skirt wasn’t just a cute hemline, it was a protest. Punk fashion wasn’t just DIY, it was anti-establishment. Streetwear wasn’t just hype; it was born out of exclusion, creativity, and a need for survival.
Liking fashion means you’re curious about these contexts—not just the outfits, but the origin stories behind them.
But here's where I get honest: I personally hate fashion, too. Not the craft. Not the expression. But the industry.
Because for all its creative potential, fashion still mostly caters to the rich.
You can't talk about “timeless minimalism” and then price it at $1,200. You can’t praise fashion for being inclusive when the runway still worships thinness, whiteness, and Eurocentric beauty.
And let’s be real: most people don’t “buy into” fashion, they just try to afford it.
I love what fashion could be. But I hate what it has become: a playground for the wealthy, a cycle of exclusivity wrapped in performative trend-chasing, a space where creativity is often paywalled.
Fashion isn’t elitist by nature, but the system surrounding it often is. And that's a hard truth to ignore.
Trend ≠ Taste ≠ Fashion
Wearing what’s “in” doesn’t mean you understand fashion. It just means you know how to scroll. Trends are easy to follow, but not always easy to question. Who profits from this trend? Who gets erased? Why is this back again now?
Fashion has layers. If you're only participating in the surface of it, that’s okay, but it helps to know that’s where you are.
The point is: You don’t have to love fashion to love clothes.
There’s no shame in just wanting to look good. But if you claim to love fashion, I’d argue that means loving its ugly parts, too. Critiquing them. Understanding them.
Because fashion isn’t just “what’s new.” It’s what’s powerful, political, and often problematic.
Final squeeze:
So wear what makes you feel amazing. Do your hauls. Follow the trends. But don’t confuse fashion with just... consumption. And don’t be afraid to admit:
“Actually, I like clothes. Fashion? I’m still figuring out how I feel about that.”
.png)
