Is personal style dead—or just evolving?
Is personal style dead? It’s the question that’s been looming in our minds as we navigate an age where trends cycle faster than our Instagram scrolls and TikTok’s latest aesthetic. Social media’s grip on fashion is undeniable. A single viral video can catapult a trend to global ubiquity almost overnight, leaving wardrobes eerily uniform across cities.
See more: Asia’s Most Stylish 2025: Nazreem Musa is a fashion icon of our time
Fast fashion thrives on this. Consumer habits show how deeply this impacts identity: clothing sales have doubled from 100 to 200 billion units annually, while average wear per item has dropped 36 per cent. It’s a clear sign that garments are discarded before they ever become part of one's narrative. Trend fatigue is real and growing. But fortunately, the story isn't over.
A resurgence in authentic personal style is quietly emerging. Industry voices declare the “death of microtrends” in favour of individuality-forward dressing. In a research by WGSN, Jessica Seddon notes Gen Z’s pivot: with limited spending power, they are abandoning trend-chasing and embracing styles that reflect who they are.
For fashion stylist, Mughni Che Din, personal style is something that is deeply rooted and personal. “It’s instinct, memory and a bit of experimentation rolled into the way you get dressed,” he says. “It’s like telling your life story without speaking—each piece you wear says something about where you’ve been, what you love and how you see yourself.” He cites Lenny Kravitz as an example, “From rock ’n’ roll leather to oversized scarves and sweeping coats, his style is pure self-expression, proving that great style isn’t about age or rules—it’s about owning who you are.”
Mughni believes personal style is something that is deeply rooted and personal (Photo: Mughni Che Din)
Being fashionable means you know what’s in right now. Having style means you know what’s right for you.
By - Mughni Che Din
Still, in this new landscape, many people look to fashion influencers, stylists and content creators for direction. These digital style leaders have become the ones who curate trends and often set the tone for what’s considered “in”.
It’s a space Alyssa Johaan knows intimately. As someone who has built her career as a fashion content creator and now serves as Deputy Chief Creative Officer of local brand Petit Moi, she describes personal style as something “tied to your own DNA”. It wasn’t an overnight discovery. “Growing up, I was very big on experimenting,” she recalls, “Then when I got into my early 20s, I felt very confident with who I was; that’s when I decided, okay, I need to audit my life. I need to understand what I like, what I don't like and what makes me feel confident.”
Alyssa states that finding your own style is a journey (Photo: Alyssa Johaan)
In her younger years, Alyssa was influenced by many style bloggers (Photo: Alyssa Johaan)
Now, back to the question on our minds: is personal style really dead? No, not quite.
Mughni doesn’t believe we’re witnessing the death of individuality. “I think we are in an era where individuality isn’t fading—it’s just evolving. The rise of social media has made style both more accessible and more referential. Yes, trends cycle faster than ever, but that also means people are remixing, clashing and personalising them in ways we’ve never seen before.”
Still, he warns of the trap of trend dependency: “Fewer people are dressing for themselves—it’s more about replicating what they see online. Micro-trends move so quickly that style becomes about keeping up rather than looking inward.”
Read more: The print designers carrying on Malaysia’s rich heritage of vibrant textile design
Social media has turned style into something performative. “Many people now dress with the lens in mind—thinking about angles, lighting and how colours will read on screen,” Mughni observes. Alyssa has felt the pull too, especially in her younger years when she was influenced by style bloggers like Aimee Song. “Whatever Aimee wore, I wanted to wear it too,” she admits. “But eventually I realised just because she’s wearing it doesn’t mean I need to. That took growth, and it’s something you can only understand when you really study yourself.”
The difference between style and fashion, Mughni stresses, is subtle but crucial. “Being fashionable means you know what’s in right now. Having style means you know what’s right for you.” Alyssa adds that style is not just about clothes, “It’s how you present yourself, how you carry yourself, your tone of voice, your confidence—that all plays into it.”
If there’s one so-called style rule Mughni would like to see gone, it’s the idea that you should dress your age. “Age has nothing to do with whether you can pull something off. It’s all about owning your confidence from the inside and out,” he adds. Alyssa too champions the idea of dressing for yourself, even if that means secondhand finds or vintage pieces passed down from family. “I love the idea of giving those items a second life, of adding your own narrative to them,” she says. “It’s storytelling.”
For those feeling adrift in the sea of trends, Mughni recommends unplugging: “Take a step back and look for inspiration off-screen—films, galleries, architecture, music. Buy less, tailor more, repeat outfits.” Alyssa shares the sentiment, saying the rom-coms she watched growing up helped her find what she likes. Another solution she swears by is intentional experimentation. “There’s no right or wrong answer to this. If you want to try a trend, go into it intentionally and not for the purpose of, ‘Oh, I need to look like that person.’ Some trends work, some don’t—and that’s okay. Be open-minded, audit your closet and keep only what makes you feel confident and beautiful.” She offers a three-part mantra that she sticks to, “Do it intentionally, embrace experimenting, and constantly reassess your wardrobe to see what truly serves you.”
Ultimately, in a world where style is often mediated by algorithms, personal style isn’t really dead—it’s shifting. It isn’t about avoiding trends, but about reclaiming them on your terms. Because in the end, trends fade—but the way you wear yourself will never go out of style.
NOW READ
Asia’s Most Stylish 2025: Meet this year’s stars of style from throughout the region
Playful colours bring joyful vibes to the new Ming and MB&F releases