Customizing clothing has long been central to the fashion world, but made-to-order styles are now more popular than ever. With people shifting how they consume post-pandemic and becoming tired of fast-changing microtrends from TikTok, Gen Z is driving a wave of demand for unique, personal fashion. Younger consumers are choosing custom pieces over mass-produced options, and they’re willing to invest both time and money. Custom fashion is now everywhere on social media—whether it’s bedazzled sneakers, hand-knitted headphone covers, charm-covered bags, or tie-dye shirts. Amid endless trend cycles, there’s a real desire for individualism, for having clothes that hold personal meaning beyond just being stylish. “People, including myself, feel stifled,” says designer Caterina Mongillo (aka @metagirl.studio on Instagram). Customization, she says, allows people to declare, “I’m a unique individual.”
In 2019, Mongillo was building her name as a footwear designer, experimenting with DIY and upcycled pieces. At the time, options were limited because Nike Air Forces dominated the custom sneaker market. Now, with 45,000 followers on Instagram, Mongillo says the range of styles has expanded, as shoes like Vans, Adidas, New Balance, and Asics grow in popularity. She even designed a custom 3D-printed shoe cage for Vans recently. It’s not just independent designers making custom pieces either; big brands are tapping into the trend as well. Bode and Nike’s shoelace charm collaboration is selling at twice its original price on StockX, while Crocs has seen a 52% increase in StockX searches due to collectible “Jibbitz” pendants. Even high-end brands like Coach are introducing customization options; their latest runway show included leather accessories with patchwork designs and plans for sticker packs that customers can use to personalize their purchases.
This DIY approach offers consumers a rush of creativity, making their purchases feel more meaningful and encouraging “smarter” buying. Tony Tafuro, an independent artist known for his hand-painted tees, says that this mindset affects his own habits—he’s more thoughtful about what he creates, consumes, and buys. People are also more open to secondhand clothing, which has helped custom fashion take off.
“People are embracing the value of what they already own, whether by repairing or upcycling it,” says Alexandra Colac, Sustainability Lead at Klarna. For designers like Mongillo and Tafuro, their custom, upcycled pieces start at $1,000, and fans often reach out on social media to commission them. Though spending thousands on custom clothing may seem counter to “buying less,” Colac believes it creates deeper connections with clothes, encouraging people to keep them longer.
Designer Mattias Gollin, co-founder of ral7000studio, also sees the appeal in unique accessories, like pearl-studded Timberlands and chrome-plated goggles. He says that customers want to stand out while still feeling a personal touch.
With social media rapidly spreading trends, people are craving more unique, meaningful fashion items, and small, independent designers are filling this need. Vita Haas and Lucy Weisner, co-founders of the New York boutique Café Forgot, source rare, limited-edition pieces that offer shoppers something different. In today’s world, where trends come and go so quickly, there’s a real hunger for special items that set people apart.
Recommended2 recommendationsPublished in Uncategorized
