Instagram Influencer Culture is Wrecking Fashion... Change My Mind

Instagram is a wonderful social media platform, in my opinion. It’s actually one of only two social media platforms I enjoy using. As much as I love looking at all the cool photos and products that the platform holds, I can’t help but notice how much of a disaster Instagram has become for the world of fashion.

Instagram itself isn’t to blame; it’s influencer culture, really. 

I don’t know about you, but I’m absolutely over influencer stuff. Every time I scroll through hashtags or look online, I hear about yet another influencer who’s hawking overpriced clothing or posing in front of a camera with extreme makeup. That alone is fine, if it wasn’t impacting fashion.

The reach of these demi-celebrities has gone from simple social media to magazines and stores. And now, it seems like everyone is trying to become the next big thing. This has led to a lot of problems with fashion—some of which might not be so visible to those who don’t really follow the news.

via jl_bijufrutal

First off, the makeup is getting ridiculous.

Makeup is one of the biggest reasons I have a bone to pick with Instagram fashion. Ever since Kylie Jenner became queen of Instagram, a certain look has started to become seen as ideal. It’s that look that involves beige or dark lipstick, poreless skin, and “Instagram eyes.” You know what I mean, right?

Well, this is all fine and dandy, but have you actually seen how this looks in person? A lot of the makeup tutorials that look great on Insta look pretty terrible in real life. Some just look like plain old overkill. Moreover, the amount of makeup you have to use to get that look can’t be good for your skin. 

You don’t have to look like an influencer to have a good look. I think we all forgot that somewhere along the way.

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It’s all the same friggin’ outfits.

Influencer fashion has become about as redundant as it can possibly be. Over the years, I noticed that influencers all have the same types of styles. It’s either the “basic” look, the “Insta-vixen” look, or the “alternative” look. 

Every single influencer, regardless of their type, always seem to gravitate towards clingy and revealing looks. I get it, I really do. Sexy sells and keeps fans happy. But, what about bringing a little reality to the picture? No one wears skintight goods 24/7, nor does everyone really look good in those outfits in real life. Why is it so hard for people to be okay with just showing a photo or two of yourself in some cool yet comfy outfits?

It’s the lack of originality I see among influencers that made me check out of most Instagram accounts. There’s really only so much of the same types of outfits that I can handle before my eyes bleed. (Gym selfies? Oh, for crying out loud…)

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Then, there’s also the constant theft of ideas being plastered as “originals.”

It’s long been an open secret that celebrities and influencers don’t actually design the stuff they have as part of their brand, but lately, the level of creative laziness just seemed to skyrocket. Influencers, much like their traditional celebrity counterparts, have started to slap their names on designs that jive with their brand. 

The problem? Well, most of them are cheap knockoffs of designs that were popular couture in the 90s, or just straight up rip-offs of indie designers. Instagram account @diet_prada is filled with this kind of stuff. 

This leads to two major problems in fashion. First off, it disenfranchises creative designers who deserve credit and money for their ideas. Secondly, it also just adds to the already present lack of creativity that is floating around Instagram.

via @taniarubiod

To make matters worse, it’s also creating Photoshop overkill.

People do not naturally have 18 inch waists and 40 inch butts. If you were to look on Instagram, though, you would never guess that to be true. Influencer culture made it seem almost taboo to post a goddamned photo of yourself without Facetune or other editing services. 

As you can imagine, this leads to a lot of disappointment when you decide to try out some of the outfits that are hot on the ‘gram. I can’t even name how many hyper-unflattering outfits I’ve seen get glorified because so-and-so decided to post a picture of it online.

There’s also the aggravating way that fashion and fitness tips started to blend together.

Fashion is fashion. It’s about clothing and makeup, not about what food someone is eating or what kind of squats they do at the gym. And yet, increasingly, it seems like people can’t seem to distinguish between the two. 

When I’m looking for outfit inspiration, I don’t want to see how important it is to get more calcium in my diet. I also don’t care about what influencers are doing in Cabo, or what influencers are doing with other models. I just want to look at outfits I might want to gain ideas from, myself.

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It all just looks so fake.

There was never a point where fashion wasn’t entirely fake. Fashion is about delivering an image, one that is often not very attainable for your average joe. But, influencer culture takes it a step too far. 

Everyone is starting to look plastic. Influencers stopped being about showing cool content, and started being about hawking Product A or Product B. At the end of the day, I have no idea what the person on the screen really uses, who they are, or whether they really are even living the life they claim to be. 

I don’t know about you, but I don’t like being lied to like that.

Finally, I am fed up with having fashion being equated to being expensive.

Right now, there are people who are going broke trying to live the influencer lifestyle. There are also people who are throwing money at follower services just so that they can make this lifestyle. That’s not healthy, nor is it even remotely realistic. 

I’m glad some influencers managed to find a nice living, but it’s about time we stop selling a lie to people. It’s time we start embracing the creative side of fashion that doesn’t involve hours of prep, hundreds of dollars of merch, or a heavy-handed swath of editing for an “effortless look.”

Seriously, can we please end this shit?

Cover via Mashable