A new wave of fashion influencers are encouraging followers to “buy less.” Many “elite” fashion bloggers, like Chiara Ferragni and Charlotte Groeneveld, have been known to be “notoriously oblivious” of real people’s budgets—showing off sponsored private-island getaways and designer handbags. But after the pandemic, influencer marketing began to shift as users looked to follow more authentic and relatable creators, and “[t]he idea of a 23-year-old who wears all high-end luxury items—it’s gauche now.” A slew of new bloggers, like Aileen Luib, are instead urging their followers to stick to a budget that fits them or shop ethically, whether that’s by buying secondhand, prioritizing female and Black-owned brands, or forgoing shopping altogether. This more “realistic” and budget-friendly approach makes style more attainable, and is becoming increasingly popular. (WSJ)
