TikTok is one of the most popular platforms in the world, drawing in a considerable number of users on a daily basis. The main reason for this is that the app is easily accessible, and the content comes in a short, compact format that allows even those with short attention spans to enjoy it. One of the other aspects that makes TikTok so popular is that it covers a large number of topics and provides viewers with a constant stream of new trends.
Some of these viral trends become so popular that it can seem like all the creators you follow have tried them as well. Let’s have a look at the trends that created the most impact on TikTok so far in 2023.
Viral audios
The TikTok sounds are and can include different songs or quotes that the creators reinterpret however they want. The best part about this type of content is that it is highly relatable, so you’ll most likely see several videos that resonate with your experiences on your For You page. 2023 saw the advent of many such trends on TikTok. The “you got me there” one was particularly popular around February. It involved being criticized for something small, such as turning to the last page of a book before you finish reading all of it, with the joke being that doing so isn’t a crime.
“It was never that serious” was one of the defining trends of this year as well, focusing on overreactions or taking things too far. “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus went viral as well, and TikTok predictably used it in videos about exes and breakups. Finn Wolfhard of Stranger Things was also at the center of a popular trend that showed the difference between the past and present versions of products, brands, logos or lifestyle choices.
During the summer, “If We Ever Broke Up” by Mae Stephens, “Makeba” by Jain and “Girls Like Me Don’t Cry” by Thuy were the sounds that you likely heard most often. “Cupid” by K-pop girl group Fifty Fifty was also ubiquitous, as was “Barbie Girl,” especially considering the hype around the film. Both the aqua version and the one by Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice could be heard in the background as creators went to see the movie dressed in all-ink outfits, tried Barbie-themed products or tried their hand at Barbiecore.
Booktok
Reading books is typically seen in complete antithesis with the internet and social media platforms such as TikTok. However, Booktok has been increasingly popular lately, and data shows that the search growth status is continuously expanding. If you’re a book lover as well and have been thinking of making content on novels and short stories you’re reading, you can also use TikCeleb to increase your popularity and viewership.
“A Little Life” by Hanya Yanagihara is a hefty book of about 800 pages with the main themes of trauma, recovery, self-harm, and male relationships. Often shocking and difficult to read, it has become trendy among Booktok readers. “Red, White & Royal Blue”, following the relationship between the son of the President of the United States and a member of the British royal family and “She Who Became the Sun” by Shelley Parker-Chan have also captivated readers. If you’re a fan of fantasy novels, you’re sure to love the latter. “The Atlas Six” is the book of choice for lovers of the Dark Academia aesthetic, while those that prefer slice-of-life will find “Before the Coffee Gets Cold,” a time-traveling tale set in a Japanese Café to be heartwarming and a tear-jerker at the same time.
Fashion
TikTok is known for its vibrant fashion community, and many leading brands are active on the platform. Creators also make and reveal their own outfits, allowing viewers to shop for the same brands. The site is also known for its numerous subcultures and aesthetics, such as Coastal Grandmother, Old Money, Cottagecore, Tomato Girl and even Corecore, an artistic movement that captures the youth culture of the 2020s.
So, what are the trends that the fashion side of TikTok is promoting for the autumn months? Leather jackets, a well-known staple, remain trendy, but the catch is that they must have a faded wash, creases or any other features that show that the item isn’t brand-new but has instead been worn extensively in the past. After the hype surrounding the clean and vanilla girl aesthetics, which some users found to be exclusionary to some groups and demographics, as well as the rise of the “sad beige moms” trend, monochromatic outfits in neutral tones of ecru, brown, and, of course, beige, remain a fantastic look for the autumn as well.
Ballet flats have been in style for a while now, after the craze of balletcore of last year. This staple flat shoe has, however, proved divisive. While some believe that it is the quintessential feminine piece that looks good paired with anything from skirts to jeans, others see it as fundamentally unflattering. Miniskirts are out now, and the long ones made of denim have come back in full force. Gen Z has also decided that the tried-and-tested UGG boots remain popular, and many are styling them with skirts.
And, of course, the trend for baggy jeans remains strong. Depending on your personal style, they look great with both off-the-shoulder tops and wide, oversized tops. Tomato Girl summer has turned into Grocery Girl fall, with the décor inspired by fruits, vegetables and condiments to create a warm, cozy atmosphere as the weather gets colder.
The trend is also popular among celebrities, and Blake Lively and Sophie Turner integrated it into their outfits. To take it to the next level, you can get food-shaped candles, decorations and even furniture.
The bottom line
TikTok is a vibrant, engaging community full of exciting things. Creators are constantly coming up with new trends, so there are always new things to see. Even if you choose not to partake in some of the hypes, you can still enjoy spending your time browsing through the endless selection of videos.
