In this generation of overconsumption, dupes of trending products have become a go-to for many. After all, why would you buy $500 shoes when you can snag a knockoff for just $50? The answer is simple: most people wouldn’t. With inflation and overall rising costs, people are increasingly drawn to cheaper alternatives while still trying to keep up with the most recent fad they heard about on social media.
The most recent buzz, at least on my TikTok feed, is about the Frye Campus Boots. Already known for their durable, long-lasting boots, Frye released the infamous Campus design in the 1960s. These boots quickly became the staple shoe of the hippie generation with their quality materials and square-toe design. The Campus style maintained its popularity streak into the 90s, with iconic actresses like Jennifer Aniston wearing the boots and now, Gen-Z seems to have rediscovered the Frye Company.
Despite Frye establishing their reputation generations prior, many in the younger generation had never even heard of the brand. To us, these boots seem to have blown up overnight on social media, with creators spending $500 on a brand new pair, or others scouring thrift stores in hopes of hitting the second-hand jackpot.
Luckily enough for some of the new Frye fans, their relatives had kept an old pair of boots, not knowing that they would be the new trend of the week for Gen-Z. However, this was not the case for many which sparked the argument of who “deserves” these boots. If you can’t afford $500 boots and can’t find a used pair, the question remains: how do you participate in the latest craze? Buy a dupe! There are knockoff options ranging from $50 into the hundreds. These are great options as far as affordability, but with mass production and how fast these trends fade, it does not help when it comes to overconsumption. Every few weeks a new style comes out on social media, whether it’s recycling trends from other generations or something brand new, you can always count on the trends to change. This is exciting, yes, but it plays a big part in affecting our individuality, our bank accounts, and our planet.
If we all followed the fashion fad of the week, everyone would conform and no one would be truly dressing for themselves. Even if we think we have our own unique style, some part of it is influenced by the internet and what is considered “in” right now. Before the internet, there was no way to see what the best sellers were aside from going outside and seeing what people were wearing. Now, you can look up if each component of your outfit fits the mold of what the majority is wearing this season. There is no true individuality when the internet is where you are getting fashion inspiration. However, this fast-moving spread of information allows society to feel more connected through their style.
Making purchases each month that coincide with the most recent style on social media can make quite the dent in the bank account, so if you were to invest in longer lasting pieces that you genuinely liked, you’d be saving money while curating a closet you can admire.
The impact on the environment also needs to be considered when looking at temporary trends. If people buy a pair of sneakers that are popular in April, there is no guarantee that they will still be a hot item in May. This causes the consumer to get rid of the shoes by throwing them away, donating them, or putting them in the back of the closet to deal with at a later date. If we are buying products that will only last a month or two, the effects of production are exacerbated by our need to have the “it” product. We should be investing in staple pieces that will last us for years and fit in what we deem our personal style instead of what society is telling you to buy.
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