From The Playlist To The Closet: How Music Shapes Fashion!

What if I told you your fashion choice isn’t only inspired by internet aesthetics? I know it may be tempting to dress like that TikTok girlie who has all the followers, or maybe like that model from the magazines. But honestly, our fashion choices can be influenced by way more than we realize. That no-skip playlist of yours that has nothing but bangers has likely inspired your fashion choices. What we hear is a reflection of the 10/10 outfits we pull straight out of our closets.  

In this generation, we don’t just listen to music; we absorb it while taking notes from the artist, which is more common in Gen-Z than ever. That girl who listens to artists like SZA may likely dress in earth tones, skirts, and flowy clothing, as SZA also tends to dress in a similar style. The guy who listens to artists like Tyler the Creator may dress preppy, especially because Tyler’s aesthetic is preppy. That’s not to say all music listeners dress like their favorite artist, because that is far from true. However, it is mainly that many music listeners are inspired and can relate to the way an artist self-expresses through music and fashion, often mimicking a similar style. Listeners may dress so well and on an aesthetic that we can instantly recognize which artist they listen to without them having to say a word. Certain sounds call for certain looks, and that has definitely been true as it comes to the music and fashion crossover.

But not only do artists shape how we dress, but if we take a look at the bigger picture, it is also true to say that genres as a whole also inspire fashion. The alternative/rock listeners may exude an energy that gives off dark clothing, dark eyeshadow, etc. Hip-hop listeners may dress in streetwear clothing, including cargo pants, Timberland boots, Jordan sneakers, popular designers, etc. Of course, not every listener confines themselves to these looks, and we can’t stress that enough. As trends have progressed over the decades, genres and fashion have been represented through specific looks in each culture.

=We can’t forget that lyrics are a big part of music, and those also have an effect on fashion and self-expression. If you’ve heard a line of lyrics that made you question how that outfit would turn out, then you have been influenced by lyrics and fashion. "Apple Bottom jeans / Boots with the fur / The whole club was looking at her" from Flo Rida's "Low" is a great example. When this line hit the music streets, everyone wanted Apple Bottom jeans and boots with the fur. Also creating a similar effect is A$AP Rocky’s song and video "Fashion Killa"; those lyrics probably sparked so many outfits in the mind of creative geniuses. Song lyrics translate to moods, and we later dress our moods up through fashion. 

From the playlist to the closet, self-expression is real, and your playlist has way more aura than you think!