We gather here today to celebrate the life and everlasting legacy of TikTok. On the evening of Jan. 18, the United States officially banned the massively popular social media app. Anyone who opened it was met with a stark message, “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now.” Well, for better or worse, the reality of a TikTok-less America only lasted about 12 hours. It’s back already and, at least for the time being, appears to be here to stay.
Since exploding in popularity around 2019, TikTok has had a massive impact on fashion. It sparked trends, started modeling careers, and even forced luxury brands to change their approach to marketing.
Despite the ban swiftly lifting, we took this time to look back on all of the good times we’ve had with TikTok over the years. We present our 20 favorite style moments in the app’s history so far.
Emma Rogue’s TikTok provided a snapshot of the Y2K-fueled youth fashion scene in Downtown NYC. We may not totally understand the infatuation with old Affliction T-shirts and Tripp NYC pants, but fashion is subjective—who are we to judge?
Obsessive runner-turned-fashion designer Marcus Milione documented the journey of his upstart lifestyle brand, Minted NYC. Sometimes he even took advice from followers to tweak details on samples or produce particular colorways. It was a glimpse into what it actually takes to run a clothing label that we wish more brand owners provided. Seeing the brand land its own Saucony collaborations made witnessing the journey that much more satisfying.
Celebrity fit checks are nothing new from social media content creators, but few do them with as much enthusiasm as ChrisTooSmoove. His fast-paced and at times frantic run-throughs of fits even convinced Ye and Drake to make cameos. If A-listers like that are doing content with you, you must be doing something right.
Aki and Koichi, the internet’s favorite fashion-forward grandparents, have become TikTok sensations by sharing their matching OOTD videos. With their daughter Yuri running the account, the duo has landed partnerships with brands like Gucci and UNIQLO. Their looks prove that style doesn’t come with an expiration date.
One of the early items to go viral on TikTok, Harry Styles’ JW Anderson patchwork cardigan sparked a DIY frenzy at the height of the pandemic. Fans worldwide took to recreating the colorful chunky knit, with even Olympian Tom Daley making his own version. The cardigan was so culturally significant that JW Anderson officially released the pattern.
If you’ve ever paid $1,000 for sweatpants or $800 for a T-shirt, it probably goes without saying that you’re overpaying based on the brand name. Shift Fashion Group actually dissects these garments to prove to you why, from examining the quality of the stitching under a microscope to simulating wear-and-tear durability tests. We aren’t going to stop wearing luxury goods, but at least we’ll give it some more thought next time now that we’ve learned the items’ real worth.
When @subwaysessions popped up on our FYP, we were shocked. But the more we looked into her outfits, the more we couldn’t look away. Turning NYC subway platforms into her personal runway, Kyan Kri keeps her style campy and chaotic. Sheer lace bodysuits with basketball shorts and stilettos, low-slung leather pants with a tiny tube top—it’s so bad that it’s almost kind of good.
With Y2K being such a dominant force, it’s no surprise that ’90s fashion and baggier silhouettes have returned to the spotlight. When Lil Yachty tapped into that vibe, the trend of dressing like him quickly followed. Fans wasted no time mimicking the artist’s style to a T, from oversized striped shirts to baggy pants and Timberland boots.
When 34 year-old Rachel Parrish took to TikTok to lament the absence of heels in nightclubs nowadays, thousands of people jumped at the chance to criticize her outfit. Her chunky Michael Kors platforms got a lot of hate, but Parrish’s following grew by over 1,000%.
Teenagers turned Minions: The Rise of Gru’s theatrical release into a black tie affair when it released in July 2022. Silly things like this are a good reminder that you don’t always need to take life so seriously. Shoutout to Yeat, too. His track “Rich Minion” was a driving force behind the hilarity.
Two designer brands that stand out as having leveraged the TikTok platform to its fullest potential are Loewe and Marc Jacobs. Rather than reposting the same social media content across different platforms such as Instagram and X, the two really focus on viral TikTok-exclusive content with of-the-moment celebrities and influencers that have resonated with a younger generation.
If you’ve ever wondered where you could purchase literally any hoodie you’ve ever seen on the internet, it’s likely that Jon Thrifts can do the proper sleuthing for you. His ongoing “Hoodie Detective” series has featured over 150 hoodies and counting. He also reviews a good number of them to help you determine which cropped, boxy hoodie with an acid wash is truly worth your money. Shoutout to the Sherlock Holmes of the hoodie game.
Lyas is hands-down our favorite fashion critic born from TikTok. His unfiltered opinions reportedly almost got him banned from a show, but his reviews make the once-closed-off world of fashion feel a little more within reach. Most recently, he’s gone viral with a series comparing creative directors’ stints at fashion houses to videos of glass bottles rolling down the stairs. It’s a cleverly tweaked use of TikTok’s favorite “brainrot content.”
New York City’s Diamond District is a fascinating place. Moses the Jeweler’s content allows you to be a fly on the wall in the fast-paced world of high-value watches and jewelry even if you only have the budget to cop a Timex from Kohl’s. Whether he’s negotiating with clients and customers, showing off rare Rolexes, or just documenting the unpredictability of the Manhattan block, there’s something here for everyone to be entertained.
Walmart can be a curious place. Its website acts as a marketplace very much like Amazon, where various sellers can list their items for sale. It’s not totally news that walmart.com has always sold secondhand, authentic Hermes bags. But the Walmart Birkin—the “Wirkin” or “Birkin for the working class”—recently went viral for being sold in-store. When TikTok caught wind of it, with fashion content creators comparing their real Birkins to Walmart’s version, the retailer swiftly pulled them off the shelves and website.
Looking for some outfit inspo? Look no further than the Polo Bear. Yes, we all know the Polo Bear sweater has long been a fan favorite, but the myriad of outfits he’s worn over the years are actually pretty amazing when you break them down. The Ralph Lauren mascot has always got that shit on head-to-toe, and recreating those outfits has a nearly foolproof success rate. A true style icon.
The saga of the “Tabi Swiper” started when Tiktok user Lex (@nextlevellexuss) shared her story about a Tinder date who stole her Maison Margiela Tabi Mary Janes after a seemingly normal night out. The drama unraveled when Lex realized her shoes were missing the next morning, and her date, Joshua, had not only unmatched her, but also wiped his contact info from her phone. Turning to TikTok detectives, she uncovered that Joshua had gifted the stolen Tabis to his girlfriend. The internet followed every twist of the story up through the confrontation, which ultimately ended with the shoes being returned.
How can we not mention Nara Smith when talking about TikTok’s most captivating creators? Her soft-spoken opening line, “Today, my kids requested (insert food/menu name),” has become a universally recognized catchphrase, often parodied by other creators.
A model and wife to Lucky Blue Smith, Smith’s videos of her making everything from scratch—from bubble gum to even sunscreen—all while in full-glam eveningwear, took Tiktok by strom. Her meticulous and perfectionist approach has earned her over 11 million TikTok followers. Her life feels like a surreal mix of high fashion, family life, and performance art. Whether sparking debates about “tradwife” aesthetics or inspiring viewers to experiment in the kitchen, Smith’s videos will go down in Tiktok history.
When it comes to “what are you wearing” content, a TikTok account that stands out is The People Gallery. While the content may be seen as simple interviews, it is in fact a rich documentation of the times, places, and people that define the essence of our culture. These videos act as a time capsule, capturing not only styles and trends but also the language, attitudes, and energy of the moment. The creator behind The People Gallery, Maurice Kamara, has the unique ability to connect with people and create authentic, open exchanges regardless of age, sex, location, or level of fame, transforming ordinary conversations about clothing and favorite foods into meaningful snapshots of history. Through his work, Kamara has positioned himself as a true keeper of the culture, preserving it for future generations.
There is no fashion TikTok success story bigger than Wisdom Kaye. Since posting his first TikTok back in January 2020, Kaye has captivated the internet with his playful outfits and what must be a Narnia-sized closet. His looks run the gamut from classic Americana to futuristic avant-garde. What makes his content so successful is his ability to make fashion appeal to millions with fun ideas like recreating looks to mimic our favorite superheroes or crafting outfits that range from $150 to $150,000 in value.
Kaye has parlayed his social media success into industry opportunities that have ranged from walking the runway for Robert Wun to styling for KidSuper. He’s even attended the ultra-exclusive Met Gala. TikTok might get taken away from us again, but don’t expect Kaye to go anywhere anytime soon.
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