Viral TikTok Fashion

TikTok is one of the fastest ways to go viral, and people are always looking for easy, cheap alternatives in fashion. 

The result of this is specific pieces and brands that gain traction on TikTok for being hidden gems or cheap dupes. 

One of the earliest examples of this is a pair of ruched leggings that went viral for how cheap they were, and how well they fit any body type. 

In an article from Instyle, writer Summer Cartwright tests these leggings herself. 

“Wearing these viral leggings is basically like getting a butt-lift minus the pain and bill that follows,” Cartwright said. 

Cartwright went on to explain that it was mostly an illusion using the fabric and its shape, something that anybody can use to achieve the desired outcome. 

What’s more, is that they seem to be universally loved. These leggings appear on almost every single list that touts TikTok fashion and if it’s really worth it (the resounding answer with these leggings seems to be the same: Yes). 

Along with these leggings are another pair that gained a following for its crossed waistband design. 

“The slimming cross-cut glides up and across your hips to really emphasize your figure and your curves,” said Cartwright. “It creates an even more pronounced hourglass shape without pinching your skin.”

This resulted in the leggings that Aerie originated becoming sold out several times over. The virality of both pairs of leggings, although different, probably correlated with the wearability, the range of diverse sizing and the versatility of these leggings to flatter any shape. 

Another piece of clothing that found fame on the social media platform was pleated skirts or tennis skirts. These skirts were often paired with the beloved Y2K aesthetic and usually dressed down with sweatshirts and sneakers. 

“Pleated skirts have been making the rounds on TikTok for a while now, and the trend is still going strong,” wrote Christina Butan of People. 

But it’s not just pleated skirts that are making a comeback. 

“Generation TikTok has discovered skorts, and now the skirt-shorts hybrids — ranging from sporty tennis styles to preppy, pleated versions — are everywhere,” said Sara Radin in an article for Refinery29. 

Serving as another example of the Y2K revival, rediscovered skorts were able to take the tennis skirt trend and make it even more comfortable for anybody to wear. 

Not only was it a love letter to the tennis skirt, but people on the platform were finding skorts of all types in thrift stores and boasting about them online. 

“Activewear brands like Outdoor Voices and Girlfriend Collective are offering athletic versions, while vintage stores like Awoke Vintage are selling out of the more fanciful varieties (think: bright colors and '80s-inspired patterns),” wrote Radin. 

Most recently, TikTok has been obsessing over corsets. This could be attributed to their popularization of through shows like Bridgerton, which debuted on Netflix and gained critical recognition for its period-piece fashion. 

Corsets also appeal to an already beloved aesthetic that is reminiscent of cottagecore and sees a blend of traditional and modern fashion in order to create something that dreamily meets in the middle. 

“Though corsets drip with bedroom appeal, their ready-to-wear interpretations brim with subtlety and romanticism,” wrote Mia Maguire and Julia Marzovilla in a Stylecaster article. 

Again, this was another trend that was so well-received due to its availability through cheaper options on Amazon and seemed to work on any body shape. 

“While it may seem natural to assume that this design exclusively lends itself to complementing only those blessed with an hourglass shape, the style is surprisingly universally flattering, even for those with more modest cup sizes,” said Maguire and Marzovilla. ‘

While TikTok will continue to be a platform for fashion, all of these viral clothing pieces and brands display an accommodation for everyone.

While social media has connected the fashion landscape more than ever, it’s also shown how we can all benefit from it, regardless of income, background or body type. All of these viral pieces revolve around comfortability and confidence, which is something that we can all appreciate.