The Impact of the Social Media Platform Tiktok on Students’ Dress Styles: A Perspective on Dress Ethics in Islam

Abstract

The increasing use of the TikTok platform as a source of fashion reference has the potential to shape their clothing identity, especially in Islamic higher education environments. This research aims to analyze the implications of using TikTok social media on the clothing styles of students at the Faculty of Da'wah and Communication, North Sumatra State Islamic University. This research uses a qualitative approach with descriptive methods and a phenomenological approach. There were ten research informants who were selected using a side purposive technique with the criteria of actively using TikTok and having been exposed to fashion content on the platform. Data collection techniques were carried out through in-depth interviews, observation and documentation. Data were analyzed using interactive analysis techniques which included data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. The research results show that TikTok shapes students' fashion references through repeated exposure to content, then influences changes in the way they dress. However, students do not become passive consumers because they carry out a process of filtering trends based on Islamic law, campus norms, comfort and personal identity before adopting them. These findings have implications for strengthening digital literacy, social media ethics education, and fostering dress culture in Islamic universities. It is recommended that further research examine the influence of social media on clothing identity in other higher education contexts to obtain a more comprehensive understanding.