How Polka Dots affect the economy.
The Clean Girl Aesthetic. Neutral colors. Business casual. Quiet Luxury. Skinny Scarves. All of these, and many more, have recently joined the latest TikTok trend: recession indicators.
The term “recession core” has gone viral on TikTok, with influencers wondering if polka dots and skinny scarves are indicators of an upcoming financial crisis. (Skinny scarves were popular during the 2008 recession, and their recent uptake in popularity is creating questions about relations between the two.)
There are lots of theories about how the economy drives fashion. Some theories say that shorter skirt hemlines symbolize times of stability, like flapper dresses in the “Roaring Twenties”, while longer skirts grow popular in times of distress, like in the Great Depression. Fashion supposedly grows less flamboyant when money is tight.
Bright colors, flashy logos, and risky silhouettes are swapped for button-downs, blazers, and neutral colors. Big logos can even seem gaudy when so many people are struggling to make ends meet.
One of the most popular examples of this is called The Lipstick Theory. The idea behind this is that people prioritize small luxuries. In times of crises, big money expenses are unimaginable. Why would anyone drop thousands on a bag when they are struggling to put food on the table? People would rather gift themselves smaller items – like lipstick. It’s an affordable luxury.
These patterns have been observed countless times. The most recent was in the 2008 recession, when fashion was the epitome of business casual. Clothing was functional for both the office and the club. Blazers, ties, and button-down shirts were commonly layered on top of jeans and mini skirts.
Nearly two decades later, in March, 2025, Stella McCartney released a new collection along the same lines. She called it From laptop to lapdance. The title itself is an eery repetition of the early two thousands. It was a series of blazers and low cut suits. If they hadn’t known, someone could’ve assumed this collection was from 2008.
After 2008, fashion experienced a surge of maximalism, peaking right before Covid. Clothes were overwhelmingly bright and colorful, and the goal was to stack as much jewelry as possible. Then came the Clean Girl Aesthetic. Fashion became minimalistic and quiet. Slick back buns, neutral colors, and multi-use shoes were all the rage on social media.
There was a shift in mindset where people were trying to hide their effort. Instead of experimenting with style, colors, and shapes to stand out, everyone was trying to look like the ultimate clean girl – or in other words, trying to look the same.
This sameness is reaching new heights, fueled through social media. The products influencers are paid to push are suddenly selling out everywhere. Basic outfits from celebrities like Hailey Bieber and Kendell Jenner, as well as celebrities from the early two 2000s, like Kate Moss, are now the epitome of cool. There was a recent outcry when people were racing to find the perfect Jendell Jenner tank top – a basic white top from H&M. There are aisles in makeup stores set aside for the TikTok famous products. Why? Because everyone wants to be like the influencers, and as a result, everyone is in a race to become the same.
More dangerously, the trend of following influencers has contributed to the rise of “SkinnyTok.” Before COVID, there was a rise in inclusivity, with more plus-size bodies shown in the media than ever before. Recently, potentially due to the “perfect” bodies seen online, there is once again an unhealthy emphasis on being thin. This echoes trends from 2008, and it’s frightening to think society may be regressing. However, because this time the pressure comes from actual people in the form of influencers—instead of big brands—the impact is more deeply embedded in the minds of consumers. The rise of “SkinnyTok” and minimalism reflect how society is is pushing values tied to self-restraint and conformity through fashion.
Fashion is a form of art, and like all art, it reflects our reality. The fashion within the recession core might be doing just that. Whether it’s a genuine response to economic uncertainty or just another internet trend, the rise of minimalism and subtlety reveal the underlying anxiety within society. In times of uncertainty, blending in can feel more comfortable. However, this could lead to a decline in personal identity and diversity.
The Fashion Clause 