The girls are fighting: Fashion on Twitter vs TikTok

 Two communities, both alike in dignity, on the Internet where we lay our scene. Considering a shared interest in fashion trends and news, high fashion Twitter and fashion TikTok should have a lot of overlap, however these communities consistently have differing opinions. Whether its which Met Gala outfits were hot or not, or if Margiela Tabi boots are actually cute (they are), Twitter and TikTok can never seem to see eye to eye. 

High fashion Twitter, perhaps the hub of fashion content on the Internet, prides itself on knowledge of fashion history and references. To be accepted and appear to know what you're talking about, you need to do your homework. Threads of fashion books to read and accounts to follow to be up to date on important fashion news are common with accounts dedicated to sharing a better understanding of fashion history such as @LeoInLaurent and @NIHILISM1994. While this can be intimidating to a new lover of fashion, a desire to learn is what makes high fashion Twitter special. 

Furthermore, opinions on Twitter tend to be a little more against the grain. If the majority hates it, high fashion Twitter loves it and vice versa. For example, while Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's 2021 Met Gala look was praised by the masses for eye-catching slogan "Tax The Rich", Twitter was quick to criticise her for wearing said slogan to an event where designers and corporate sponsors pay up to $300,000 to attend, calling it hypocritical. 

The Twitter community is also vocal about their disdain for fashion TikTok, often posting videos such as "some SHEIN stuff in my wish list: old money edition" in order to poke fun at TikTok's bizarre view of trends and aesthetics. User @fashioncurious1 tweeted "these tiktok girlies think they're fashion icons when all they do is follow trends" in response to a tweet showing TikTok comments criticising user @n0rab0ra's creative styling video.

The TikTok fashion community may be more appealing to someone just beginning to get into fashion.  While spreading misinformation is a symptom of the Internet as a whole, it is particularly prevalent on TikTok. Chanel dresses will be labelled as Versace, Lady Gaga wearing Gucci will be said to be "giving Donatella" and so forth. While there are TikTokers committed to teaching fashion history and breaking down high fashion, such as @fashionboy and even @eiffeltyler, Editor-In-Chief of Fashionista magazine, there seems to be a much bigger gap in the market for this type of content on TikTok.

On TikTok is it more acceptable to follow established trends. Due to this focus, thinking outside the fashion box and having a more eclectic style is ridiculed. An example of this is TikToker Clara, @tinyjewishgirl, and her esoteric styling videos. Her comment section is riddled with hot takes such as "literally traumatising" and "I'm trying to figure out if this is a joke or not". A reason for this lack of acceptance may be TikTok's much younger demographic. The app is predominantly used by teens who lack research skills and desire to be accepted by the crowd. 

Some users endeavour to change this trend-centric nature, however, and advocate for finding personal style. TikToker Mandy, @oldloserinbrooklyn, posts deep dives and analysis of trends and designers, helping to spread more information and hopefully lessen clothing consumption. 

It is certainly interesting to see the fashion community differ across different platforms depending on demographics and social media trends. Shared interests don't necessarily equal shared opinions, especially as fashion is so subjective. TikTok and Twitter are ruthless platforms, easy to hide behind a screen and bully someone by ridiculing their taste or lack of knowledge. Education and acceptance should be at the forefront of the fashion community, but in an industry so merciless it pays to gatekeep.