Can You Look At Me And Tell Me Who I Listen To?
Image Courtesy: Instagram
There is no denying that we are currently living in the age of nostalgia. From fashion revivals and vintage aesthetics to the resurgence of Y2K culture and classic film reboots, society is obsessed with looking back. Streaming platforms are flooded with remastered, live adaptations of our childhood favorites, brands capitalize on throwback marketing, and even social media thrives on nostalgia-driven trends. However, it is understandable, in a world that feels increasingly uncertain, that nostalgia offers comfort and a way to relive the simplicity of yesterday. Something that I recently noticed within this examination of modern culture is the heavy correlation between music and how we navigate fashion. From the birth of leather jackets with rock and roll to streetwear of hip-hop, style and sound have always evolved together. This relationship has always found a way to reflect cultural shifts and the expression of individuality. Whether it’s the glitter in disco, the contrast of techno, or the laxed fit of indie, music provides a soundtrack to fashion’s ever-changing story, proving that what we wear is just as loud as the music we listen to.
What makes the modern era different from the times past? Accessibility. Music used to be much less of a commodity. In the past, discovering new music required the physical effort of buying records, CDs, or tapes, tuning into the radio, or attending live performances. Access to music was also limited by geography, finances, and availability. Music piracy in the early 2000s disrupted this, but streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube have now made virtually any song from any time, available instantly. Social media and algorithms also curate personalized music recommendations, exposing listeners to a global range of artists. This grew a strong curiosity about the effects of music accessibility in relation to the fashion world. With the expansion of music exploration, it’s no wonder why internet aesthetics have evolved and dispersed into an infinite web of fashion experiences.
Image Courtesy: Instagram
The increased accessibility of music has transformed fashion into a constantly evolving, genre-blurring space. In the past, music and fashion subcultures were often tied to specific locations—punk waves thrived in London, hip-hop shaped the streetwear we still see today in New York, and grunge took over Seattle; you would also be able to precisely define these looks. But with the world of streaming services and social media, these influences are no longer bound by geography or social class and appear much more cryptic. A teenager in Tokyo can discover underground rap from Atlanta just as easily as someone in Paris can fall in love with K-pop or Afrobeat. This exposure has led to a fashion world that mirrors the eclectic, playlist-driven way people consume music.
Could music be a contributor to the micro trend epidemic? Or are we just looking at individuality and niche styles as something negative, waste expelled from a time where music and culture had less freedom? No one can deny that modern artists themselves are embracing this fluidity—one album cycle blending into another, simultaneously changing their fashion influence. In the same vein that people no longer feel pressured to pledge to one music genre, they also don’t feel the need to stick to one fashion identity or symbol. Instead, style has become more experimental, nostalgic, and globally influenced, reflecting the infinite possibilities that music accessibility has unlocked.
The intersection of music and fashion has never been more interesting and with the rise of music accessibility, the boundaries between internet subcultures and fashion influence continue to dissolve. What was once defined by location, exclusivity, or scarcity is now an open-source playground for self-expression—I don’t believe there should be any shame in this. Whether this shift fuels a micro-trend epidemic or simply reflects the freedom of modern individuality is up for debate, but one thing is clear, in this day and age, music’s influence on fashion is stronger than it has ever been. As artists redefine the lines between genres, aesthetics, and eras, so do the people who listen to them. Spotting a cowboy hat and cowgirl boots across the road no longer screams country in the way that it used to. In this era of endless inspiration, style is no longer a rigid statement but an evolving dialogue, shaped by the infinite soundtrack of the modern world.
Strike out,
Selah Hassel
Editor: Maya Kayyal
Saint Augustine
Selah is a content writer for Strike Magazine St. Augustine. She has a passion for traveling, nature, and spending quality time with herself, so if you can’t find her, check out her instagram: @selah.eve or feel free to email her at Selaheve3@gmail.com
