When Style Had Something to Say

There was a conversation my friend and I were having recently. We were looking back on our high school days and our social studies lessons—how fun they could be, how careless we were.

But it also sparked a memory in me: there was a period when we were learning all about the history of the Mods vs. the Rockers. Now, I know—you’re probably thinking, is this a history article? What does this have to do with fashion? But honestly, looking back at the Mods and Rockers of the 1960s has had me questioning something over the last few days: has fashion really lost its meaning?

Let’s be real—so many of us get our outfit inspo from social media: TikTok, Instagram, our favorite influencers and celebrities. We wear outfits simply because they’re “trending,” “hyped,” or “in season.” We view clothing as just garments—pieces of fabric, nothing more. And I’ll admit it, I’m slightly guilty of this myself.

Mods vs. Rockers – When Style Was a Battle Line

Take the Mods and the Rockers. Two groups, same country, same decade, different styles. Mods were polished and upward-moving. Rockers’ leather jackets and heavy boots were a rejection of that polish. Their clothes screamed rebellion, danger, and speed. But one thing they had in common was this: their clothes had meaning. It was a statement. A declaration. A rebellion against societal norms. A class statement. A movement away from what their parents’ generation looked like.

And they weren’t the only ones. Punk kids used safety pins, ripped denim, and DIY patches as a full-blown protest. Their style didn’t just look rebellious — it was rebellion. Or look at ’90s hip-hop culture: oversized denim, gold chains, and tracksuits weren’t just a look; they were identity. A response to class, community, and power. Fashion as autobiography.

TikTok’s Fashion Algorithms

Today, clothing has become quiet. And I don’t mean in color or silhouette, but perhaps in meaning. Fashion trends on TikTok churn so fast. One minute it’s “clean girl,” next it’s “mob wife,” and before we even have time to figure out what that means, everyone’s moved on to the next trend. It feels as though trends no longer evolve — they erupt, go viral, and then vanish.

And maybe that’s what I miss in fashion — when clothes were part of sending a wider message. When our fashion and identities were intertwined. Because maybe it’s just me, but it feels as though what once took years to build now becomes a micro-trend, forgotten by next month’s algorithm. Does our style have a story anymore?

Rock. Punk. Hip-hop. Whatever era speaks to you — here are the Fizzypicks to bring it to life: