Fashion identification assimilation is sweeping New York City, causing uproarious debate between fashion lovers and haters. The trend, which involves individuals adopting a style to blend in with a cultural or social group, has caught the attention of many. The second session by Dr. Dawnn Karen, a fashion psychologist, was all about this really interesting trend. She said it’s particularly pronounced among female twentysomethings around Fifth Avenue. Critics, even virtual cynics and NYC influencers, have taken the uniform look to task. They claim that this blurry line style is what makes them appear “boring.”
As recently reported by New York content creator Christian Zubidi, many creators dispatching classic looks are wearying of the fashion identification assimilation. That trend has led some to blame a homogenization of personal style among young New Yorkers, a blandness that some have called “the death of cool.” That disappointment was shared by TikTok creator @MartiniFeeny who went as far as calling the wave “boring as f- -k.”
"Fashion is supposed to be an expression of who you are." – Chelsea Vaughn
Beyond pushback from influencers and critics on the Hill, the controversial trend has been ‘brought low by internet scorn. One carper jokingly dubbed the trend “the Zara parade.” They highlighted the retail comeback of the once-feared milquetoast “jeans and nice top.” This critique reflects a wider and ongoing debate. Should fashion be another form of self expression, or should it be used to blend in with what society considers to be normal?
Dr. Dawnn Karen shed light on the motivations behind fashion identification assimilation, noting that it "occurs when people adopt a style in effort to blend in with a cultural or social group." This finding reinforces the idea that the trend is more widespread beyond just New York City. Just last fall, the same thing took place in Alabama. A crew of young ladies made quite the impression, as they were dressed in coordinated outfits with light wash denim, dark tops, and white fashion sneakers.
The trend has sent waves of alarm through social media. Millennials and Gen Xers above the age of 30 are especially active, stating their anger on social media platforms like Twitter. It’s been criticized that Gen Z’s devotion to this fashion movement is killing personal style and free expression.
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