I was in elementary school when I got my first AOL screen name. Naturally my digital ID was made up of the name of my favorite clothing store followed by my birthday. From the moment my parents gave me access to the world wide web my life immediately changed. While in the beginning I mostly used AOL to communicate with, and subsequently be bullied by, my elementary school peers, I eventually used the internet as a creative outlet. As a kid my first foray into the world of fashion was largely made up of what I saw online. I would go onto websites to print photos to make collages of outfits, trends, and items that I imagined myself wearing as a fancy adult. In fact, my first discovery of the Louis Vuitton Speedy bag was on the, now defunct, luxury fashion website eluxury.com. It launched when I was just 10 years old and I can vividly remember using the website to print images for the many mock editorials I made. Fast forward to today and one could say that the modern day version of this is Instagram, and prior to this it was Tumblr.
[sc_ic_ad1]I came of age on the cusp of the introduction of social media (Facebook launched when I was in high school, but before that there was MySpace), and it’s crazy to me to think that I barely remember a life without the internet. Though I would like to say that my outfits, purchases and the trends I choose to participate in are solely based on my own thoughts I would be lying. I, like basically everyone living in a westernized society, am influenced in some way or another by digital media, like it or not. In the modern world we are bombarded by what companies tell us to want, like and buy, and it’s almost impossible not to be impacted by what we see on our screens.
Do you ever wonder why you gravitated towards that bag you decided to buy? Or that new skincare product you splurged on? Sometimes I find myself purchasing things only to realize later that I had seen it on social media and I wonder if it sat there in my subconscious and that’s why I gravitated towards it or if I would have wanted it regardless. Forbes reported that 72% of millennials reported buying fashion and beauty products based on Instagram posts, and that’s when they were aware of doing it. The percentage of millennials influenced by social media both knowingly and unknowingly has to be much higher. While companies have been bombarding us with marketing and advertising ploys for as long as mainstream media has existed, the difference is that now it’s nearly impossible not to be influenced.
[sc_ic_ad2]Even if you think you’re buying something based on a personal recommendation from a friend or family member, in today’s world it’s very possible that they were influenced by social media whether that be Facebook (which has a bit of an older average user) or Instagram. In that case you’ve been indirectly influenced by social media. Sometimes I think about life in the digital age and I fear that we are moving towards a time when we are basically all just carbon copies of one another. Being in the position that I’m in, I give a lot of thought towards the opinions that I give and share, but I’m also extremely hyperaware of the opinions around me. While I don’t exactly mind making a purchase that I’ve seen on social media I am super aware of staying true to myself. Just because something is everywhere and on everyone doesn’t mean that it’ll look good on me or that I have to have it.
Do you feel that social media has changed your shopping habits? How do you sort through the many opinions to stay true to your own tastes and style?
No, I tend to stay off of social media. Instagram came out when I was in high school, but I don’t let it influence me. If I feel like I’m buying something because I saw someone else wearing it, then I just won’t buy it because I’ll regret it later on. This was a really great article Kaitlin, and I can’t wait to read the other comments. ?
I am just the opposite. When I spot something I like and then see it over and over I lose interest. I own more than a dozen Gucci bags but have not purchased one in a couple years. It’s not that I don’t like the newer collections but after seeing them on so many influencers I don’t feel they are special anymore. I was in Italy last summer and visited Gucci stores in 3 cities. I didn’t buy anything at Gucci. Instead I bought 2 Ferragamo items. I like them because the quality is great and they are not over exposed.
I’m not on Instagram. I’m repulsed by influencers.
I don’t have an Instagram account.
Neither do I.
We are in the same club. 😀 But I sometimes search, like, certain bag on Instagram. To see how it looks like. For an example: Hermès Toolbox 20. I also have bookmarked 4 people. To look at the bags and sometimes the others stuff. Like, Jewelry, shoes and other items.
I use it in the same way!
Amazing. It really helps, and nice to check out new collection and more.
Yes, it does. ?
Yeah! :))
The only time I use Instagram is to search for hashtags about items that I already know that I am interested in (a specific luxury handbag for example).
I never check the feed or so, that doesn’t interest me the slightest, oddly enough, as I love haning out on this blog and on TPF, and the brands own websites to follow what’s new! 🙂
I am a 29 year old female, for reference.
Me too. PB hasn’t done a readers’ roundup for a while (which I wish they would do again) but it always annoyed me that they only showcased photos from their IG account. Why not pick photos from the Forum instead? There are many members like us who deliberately avoid IG.
We can see to bring back the forum roundups again in the future, I’ll ask around on the boards for writers who’d be interested in taking this on.
Forum photos are not so contrived either
Yes, pleeeease bring back the round-ups. Those were authentic, real, exciting, and a shout-out to your massive number of forum participants.
Also, please hire better writers. I’m not sure what happened but I’ve noticed that writing quality and substance has deteriorated significantly in recent months.
Social media brings to the forefront bags, etc. that I was not aware, but I can admire them without feeling the need to purchase.
Not at all. I like items not just for fashion but for practicality. I’m a person who is particular about the material and the workmanship of an item. I will use a bag or wear shoes until it’s hanging by it’s last thread.
Social media keeps people abreast of the changing trends but I’m definitely not influenced by it.
Most of us perceive ourselves as not influenced by social media, etc… but the reality is, we probably all are to a certain degree.
I think this depends on the age of the person. Would you say that Purseblog’s audience tends to be older? The answers would then probably lean toward less being influenced as they’re less likely to be on social media, particularly instagram where it’s become very saturated with social add and influencer sponsorships.
I work in digital media and while not on the marketing side specifically, I know anything you browse, anything you search then turns into data. Data that’s used to tailor things very specific to your demographics. It’s designed FOR you, to appeal to you and thus to influence you into buying it. Data is big business now.
And to answer your question, 100% influenced. I buy shit I see on social ALL. THE. TIME. But I haven’t regretted any of my purchases so far. Casper mattress? Check. Love it, so smushy. Billie razor? Check.My husband said it’s the best one of my razor’s he’s used. Ritual vitamins? Check. They seemed to work but it’s probably placebo affect for any multi-vitamin/health thing. I discontinued my subscription. Third love? Ok, a little strange but wow yeah after getting used to it – it’s pretty darn comfy. Everlane? Yup, got me too. The quality of their shoes are great. Clothes are nice for basics too but they definitely have a certain aesthetic. Ok, so the list probably goes on.
Wait, I’m on a purse blog. Bags, honestly that’s a big personal fashion staple of mine. One that’s evolved over the years. I side eye any easy to spot influencer ploy, (ie the Cartier bag and this new Dior one) because I find it off-putting. I do follow people who share a similar style that myself and will look to those accounts to check out what new brands or old brands they currently love though. More organic, less trying to shill their new label, new partnership.
It’s all the millennial’s fault!
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-dark-reason-so-many-millennials-are-miserable-and-broke-2019-05-13?mod=mw_theo_homepage
I actually find social media influencer content quite helpful in one particular way: modeling shots and reviews. It’s quite hard to find good photos of even popular designer bags on store websites, so the various reviews and shoots done by influencers fill a much-needed gap in my online research. And to be sure, most reviews are generally or even fawningly positive because the influencers were gifted the bag or actively paid for the review, but I can often glean helpful morsels of info like “This bag is rather heavy” or “This closure is finicky and hard to open with one hand”, not to mention what does/doesn’t fit. And I know I find these reviews truly helpful because 95% of the time, these photos and info actually turns me off of buying anything – not because it’s overexposed, but rather I just decide something won’t work for me and my life.
The IG algorithm knows me pretty well and I usually enjoy the stuff it floats up to me. But I rarely pull the trigger and purchase because of my natural healthy skepticism of anything I find on the ‘gram. Occasionally, I purchase products that I end up loving, like Rothy’s sneakers and ThirdLove bras. Negative Underwear has some cute basics that I’ve been keeping an eye on, though I haven’t actually bought anything yet because it’s pricey and I haven’t been able to find any reviews that aren’t from major outlets and clearly sponsored/gifted. Temporary Housewifey is one blogger who writes good reviews for some high-end bags and affordable-to-midpriced clothes from Everlane and Cuyana.
I don’t have Instagram, Snapchat or Facebook. I do have Twitter but I don’t follow any fashion accounts. Honestly, most of my bag awareness comes from reading Purseblog posts. When something catches my eye, then I research about it in the Purse Forum and on the brand’s website. Occasionally I might do a Google Image search of what it looks like when used.
Every so often I might check out the instagram accounts of fashion people but honestly they’re all sheep as they seem to have the same Valentino rockstud shoes, Chanel, Birkin or Celine bags and Cartier Love bracelets. So boring!
I feel ya! That’s exactly what I meant when I said I fear a time when we’ve all become carbon copies of one another. That would be SO boring!
I’m with you here–no social media interest (except for TPF, if that qualifies).
If I see something on a real live human, I may ask them about it. Maybe it is due to age but I honestly have no time to “follow” anyone/anything. If I like a bag I watch YouTube videos to see if it is all that great. No one influences me re: fashion stuff anymore, and I like that; age has given me the confidence not to be be part of the herd.
Nope, not at all but as a lot of posts here reflect, age does play into it and at a certain age, 43 in my case, you know exactly who you are style-wise. Actually now that I think about it, the more I see a bag on people/the streets, the least I am inclined to buy it, it has the opposite effect on me!
Very little. Facebook, Youtube and tPF are the only social media or other things of the sort I do. Sometimes I’ve seen something on a YT video or on Facebook and realised it was just the thing I’ve been looking for to solve a need or a problem. Other times I ask for recommendations or tips on tPF or Facebook or watch a review on YT to get some more information (like I did last night when considering different options of Pacsafe backpacks). Influencers pushing products don’t really affect my life.
“I, like basically everyone living in a westernized society, am influenced in some way or another by digital media, like it or not.”
The concept of social media influencing fashionistas stretches beyond the borders of western civilization. Social media has created a global community which is a widely accepted notion if not fact. Just saying.
I do agree that social media has influenced my personal style (to a degree), as well as, style in general. However, I am constantly looking for ways to celebrate my individual style. It gets hard sometimes, but I try!
I don’t find it any different than the days of yore when there were more commercials, newspapers, magazines…etc. It is just different. One always saw celebrities with luxury goods. Whether you choose to desire them and work toward it was your preference and priority in life. To each her own. <3