Fashion is always taken as something very expensive and costly. From high end luxury bags to high tag heels, it takes money to look beautiful.
However, with the rise of social media trends, fashion is changing fast. People are becoming more and more price conscious. This gives rise to affordable fashion items like minimalistic earrings, cross body bags and classic white button down shirts. So, how does this new fashion sensation is growing? And more importantly why it is ripping through the roofs. Let’s talk about it.
High-End Nature of the Fashion
For a long time, fashion items like designer labels, couture house and high-end boutiques dictated how someone wants to be in fashion. And their exclusive price points became a really challenging task for many. For example, middle class income were never thought of buying some unattainable dream fashion item. Owning of only one piece from a luxury brand like Louis Vuitton was a status symbol. A unique way of social standing and showcasing your wealth was established.
Although, fashion was evolving at that time too, but this made fashion limited to only rich people and other ones were left behind. This had also created some popular stereotypes among middle class about the upper class following fashion. And all of this cost fashion a lot.
The New Trend
With all of this rich fashion things, then came the end point. Over time, means of communications grew and distances between different classes of society became less prominent. People come to know the apparel and fashion sense of each other. The rise of high street brands, online shopping and social media made this easier. Everyday consumer became aware of how fashion moves and can be taken as a way of transferring their lives. Rather than buying high-end single luxury items, people started buying budget-friendly alternatives. These alternatives proved to an excellent replacement at a very low cost.
More and more people started adopting fashion and variety of designs became easily accessible. Collections grew without breaking the bank. As a result of this, affordable fashion made its way from high rich class to middle and even lower income classes. It became not just a practical choice, but a mainstream movement that redefined what we call fashion.
Why People are Moving towards Affordable Fashion
There are many reasons for which people are moving towards affordable fashion.
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Consumers are Becoming Price Conscious
Today’s fashion world is becoming more and more competitive. Consumers are getting their hands on multiple options. This makes it difficult for brands to market their products with hefty price tags. And with social media’s rise, this affordable trend is growing without hesitation. Consumers are now making their own choice in setting fashion item’s prices.Many users of affordable fashion say that this type of fashion brings more choices, value, accessibility and inclusivity just like capsule wardrobe. Affordable fashion brands like ZARA and H&M are stepping up this type of trend with offering multiple collection items that are within reach for everyday consumers. -
People adopting Fast Fashion
It is important to distinguish between the promotional campaigns of fast fashion and luxury fashion first. Fast fashion focuses on rapid production of trendy and inexpensive products without thinking about the consequences of what will happen to the labor and surroundings. On the other hand, luxury fashion is marketed to make clothing accessible without giving up the ethical things.Like it or not, most of the people are not caring about the later part. Now consumers want goods at cheaper prices regardless of how they were made. People want a variety of apparels and jewelry to wear at lower prices. This is the new trend and norm which might displease some. But it is the way it is. -
The Rise of Social Media
Rising social media trends and platforms have also played a very big role in promotion of affordable fashion. Social media sites like Instagram and TikTok have completely changed the way people used to shop. Now, everyone can make their own fashion item shop with unique and authentic designs at affordable prices.Consumers now spend more time and do shopping on these social media sites than going offline. This way, fast fashion brands like Shein and Temu have altered the chess in their way. Most of the marketing budget is being spent on social media sites rather than billboards and sponsored public parties.With this huge change in the marketing trends, fashion is changing. Trendy, vibrant and cool are the new hot topics of the fashion world. -
New Definitions of Luxury
New definitions of luxury are being written. Now, luxury is not being judged by only with the price tags, but also with experience, quality and style of the product. Affordable jewelry lines, capsule collection and collaboration between designers and high-street brands are few of the examples. Fast fashion brands are now getting more promotion and eyeballs than ever. And with the rise of Gen Z and Gen Alpha, all of the trends are driven by social media influencers and marketers.People just want to wear that looks cool and trendy regardless of its price or the brand offering it. Personal fashion goods help them in leaving their own personal statements at very low prices. This is what most of the buyers like. -
Second-Hand Markets are Evolving
Second hand markets or old item markets are also making a dent in adoption of luxury brand’s reputation. With more and more people moving towards second hand markets, luxury is becoming affordable. People might not like buying new items as much as before. Because all that matters at the end is the brand and the logo. Nobody cares whether it’s an old Chanel bag or a cosmetic item. All we care is the logo of Chanel.Consumers are easily getting their hands on same premium quality luxury items at a very low price which they would not have thought in their dreams. So, why would they pay more for the same item then? This is the main reason by second hand markets are flourishing and making their way as a problem for luxury item brands.
What’s Next?
So, what is the future of affordable fashion? People are expected to continue moving towards it and elevate their fashion sense. Affordable fashion marks a remarkable shift from the traditional views of how we knew fashion. It offers a number of benefits making people smarter, sustainable, trendy and more personalized in their purchases. Affordable fashion brands have now started to merge eco-friendly fabrics and digital fashion to attract more and more customers.
When it comes to luxury fashion, things might not look that great. With this big of a transition, luxury fashion brands will find hard to find new customers. Their sales will not be like they would have wanted. However, in all of this competition between being affordable and luxury, consumer is winning. And this is the way it should be.
Conclusion
Fast and affordable fashion is making its way into mainstream fashion headlines. More and more people are now looking for cheaper options compared to high-end luxury goods. This rise of affordable fashion trend is not looking to stop anytime soon. Once people know that fashion can be this cheap as well, they are now going to return towards these expensive brands again. This is the time where many fast fashion brands are also promoting their products aggressively. For now, it seems that fashion is changing rapidly. In the future, things can be more different than ever.
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