Have we turned the final page on fashion magazines?

If you’re reading this article, you’re probably a bit of a fashion lover, like me. You might have even experienced what I would describe as the euphoric sensation of flipping through the glossy pages of a brand-new issue of your favourite fashion magazine, searching for their take on that season’s trends, or the hottest new clothing that you simply must have. In the wise words of Carrie Bradshaw, “when I first moved to New York and I was totally broke, sometimes I would buy Vogue instead of dinner. I just felt it fed me more.”

“Fashion trends are now more likely to be driven by influencers”

We can all appreciate a good fashion magazine when we see it. But with the ever-growing dominance of social media in all walks of life, I can’t help but wonder if fashion trends, and indeed our own sense of style, are now more dictated by what we see on social media than in those once-fascinating double page spreads. Fashion trends are now more likely to be driven by influencers than by industry top dogs like Anna Wintour, or publications such as Vogue. Social media influencers like Olivia Neill, Lily Chee, and Ruby Lyn are growing massively in popularity and redefining the timeless it-girl aesthetic. These fashionistas have built their brand on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, which remain their primary sources of income, rather than a secondary outlet for boosting their popularity.

Nowadays, being on the cover of a fashion magazine simply cannot compete with racking up the millions of views which this new generation of fashion influencers thrive upon. Fashion magazines being increasingly accessible online blurs the boundaries between traditional fashion and digital fashion influencing even further. The growing reliance on social media marketing was only solidified when even the most luxe of designer brands, Chanel, gifted influencers their new Chanel 22 bag in 2022, something previously unheard of from such an upmarket brand.

The truth is that today’s consumers are far more likely to turn to TikTok for style advice or inspiration than a fashion magazine. A UK based survey found that 67% of shoppers look to fashion bloggers, social media influencers, and street style for inspiration over magazines. Another found that 27% of those who follow influencers had purchased luxury items directly through Instagram or TikTok, further highlighting the growing role that online platforms play in directing our sense of style and purchasing habits.

“Fashion’s increasing digitisation isn’t all bad”

But fashion’s increasing digitisation isn’t all bad. Its shift online has transformed what once seemed like an intimidating, exclusive world into something far more accessible and easier to navigate. The prevalence of designer and high-end brands in the curations of high profile magazines like Vogue used to shut off the industry to many of their readers. Now, online platforms such as TikTok, the second most downloaded app globally in 2025, give fashion creators looking for a mass audience a platform to spread their best tips for looking expensive without breaking the bank.

That said, top fashion magazines continue to offer a daring extravagance, making them still a treasured element of the fashion world. Celebrities continue to revere the prospect of a front cover feature in Vogue, and the infamous Met Gala has not yet lost the appeal of its dazzling display of excessive luxury, curated by the one and only Anna Wintour. These publications’ framing of fashion as an art form, rather than the monotonous cycle of clothing ourselves each day, is what keeps readers coming back. For example, Szilveszter Makó’s recent Vogue cover shoot with Daisy Edgar-Jones resembled an elegant renaissance painting more than something you pick up on the shelves of your local supermarket, reminding its readers of its capacity for big-budget creativity which simply cannot compare to social media platforms.

In the wise words of Hannah Montana, with a combination of both, you really can get the “best of both worlds”. Magazines can inspire, while social media makes that inspiration feel attainable, helping us recreate our favourite looks without blowing the budget. I know for certain I won’t be abandoning my Vogue subscription anytime soon, and I hope you won’t either!