performance of instagram
musing on participation
The performance of Instagram requires new clothes. What is she wearing? Her new outfit. What is she sharing? Something for me to buy. The performance of Instagram circulates clothes in and out of wardrobes. Outfits worn once, photographed, shared - never repeated and never seen again. What is she wearing? Daily outfit inspo. What is she sharing? Clothes that will be returned, resold or donated. Taking time off shopping has resulted in less posting. A subconscious message that old clothes are not worth the same attention as new. A subconscious message I intend to rebel against as I work towards placing more importance on the clothes in my wardrobe - a message I want others to see. What is she wearing? Clothes she has worn before. What is she sharing? The same beautiful thing. In truth, I have no idea how others will respond and question the relevancy of Instagram without new clothes. Is it just me, or do others see the same? Is it just me, or will others post less as less clothes circle in and out of their lives. Participating in the performance is essential for change. Participating in the performance will ensure I place equal value on my old clothes.
*This post is part of a soft activism project that explores Our Relationship With Clothes. Australia is the largest consumer of textiles in the world; we ask questions in the hope of encouraging self-reflection and change.
There is so much performance on Instagram. It lends itself to performance, it is what marketers would coin the elevator pitch. It’s the reason why so many have migrated to Substack.
Yes in the search for followers and likes etc . What better is there to generate than by giving your base something new , maybe something new and inspirational each post .
What is better is a story. And in story there is a comfort in the familiar , it draws us in and forms connection. You want to talk about a relationship with clothes , then I ask where does your relationship with clothes exist ? What is the story?
Think about someone we probably all know and follow Jenny Walton. Yes lots of amazing fresh outfits but it’s a Jenny Walton look (zero disrespect-totally the opposite ) but yes we also do see looks appearing again and again . But more than that we see pieces or art , dogs , paintings , an interesting sister and even sometimes a sadness, we see a story unfold.
Maybe instagram is the breadcrumbs , the essay . The point of connection the place where you cast your line to catch the inquisitive , the explorers, the thinkers swimming against the current . You won’t catch their eye by using the lure of new , you catch them by involving them in your story
I have been not posting on instagram since I started writing here. I miss my community there, but don't have the headspace for interacting with two apps (I have gradually left all other social media). However, my community on there was very much made up of women of a similar mindset, so there was a lot of repeat outfits, and no perceived benefits in constantly wearing something new.