How TikTok Trends Are Shaping Merch Designs
Published by: Siobhan Ingram
Date: 07-25-2025
TikTok isn’t just shaping music charts—it’s influencing merch trends, too.
At FCE, we’re seeing brands move faster than ever to capture the aesthetic shifts and cultural moments TikTok creates.
What’s trending now:
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Oversized, boxy fits: Thanks to #OOTD and streetwear influencers, roomy tees and drop-shoulder crews are in.
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Y2K Nostalgia: Butterfly motifs, pastel colors, and bedazzled designs are back with a vengeance.
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Micro-trends: TikTok is lightning-fast. “Coastal grandma,” “cottagecore,” “blokette”—niche styles pop up and create merch opportunities overnight.
Smart brands are using TikTok trends to design merch that feels current, without feeling gimmicky.
One coffee shop we worked with leaned into the "slow mornings" aesthetic—soft neutral hoodies, simple embroidery—and their merch became TikTok gold, getting picked up by lifestyle creators organically.
The key?
Move fast, but stay true to your brand voice.
Trends should amplify your identity, not drown it.
When you listen to culture and move with it, your merch doesn’t just sell—it connects.