While seemingly two different worlds apart, gaming and fashion have increasingly intersected in recent years. The common thread? Advancements in digital technology. A recent study on 3D dynamic fashion design development highlights some of the ways the gaming and fashion industries can affect each other. These include the selling of virtual fashion garments for online game characters by luxury fashion brands, the rise of virtual lookbooks, gaming-inspired fashion designs, and shoppable styling games targeted at fashion consumers.

At the pace we're going, the future of gaming and fashion — and their blossoming relationship — depends on how much further digital innovations can take us. In this article, we'll explore how the gaming and fashion industries are becoming more and more connected with each other:

Eyewear for Gamers

One of the most straightforward ways gaming and fashion are connected is through eyewear designed for gamers. These include gaming-inspired fashion designs, collaborations between game companies and fashion brands, and functional eyewear for gamers. Essential eyewear recently marketed for gamers includes blue light glasses, which help filter out and reduce blue light exposure from digital screens. Blue light glasses also work against harmful UV rays from the sun, making them a flexible fashion accessory for gamers even when not in-game.

Of course, there are other things gamers can do to protect their eyes from blue light. As highlighted in our post on hobbies to step away from the screen, it can be healthy to have hobbies as a gamer, pursuing other interests and a chance to develop personal skills, while giving your eyes a much-needed break.
 

Fashion and the Metaverse

Aside from blue light glasses, increased interactions between the fashion and gaming worlds can be seen through the Metaverse. Today, the rise of user-generated content (UGC) games like Roblox and Fortnite — allowing users to create their own content and experiences — has aligned appropriately with Gen Z's desire for creativity and fashion expression. Luxury brands like Gucci, Balenciaga, and Louis Vuitton have invested in virtual platforms and offerings, such as virtual fitting rooms and fashion shows, to appeal to gamers while elevating brand engagement.

With the Metaverse and virtual reality continuing to innovate and develop over the years, it'll be interesting to see how else the fashion industry can extend its reach towards the gamer demographic. With Apple's mixed reality headset being hailed the "iPhone of virtual reality,” more and more people will likely engage with virtual worlds and experiences, creating the perfect target market for fashion brands who want to expand their products and services.
 

In-Game Fashion

Finally, a critical development in the relationship between fashion and gaming is the importance of fashion in-game. While cosmetics, skins, and in-game clothing may not be a priority for most gamers, depending on their genre of preference, recent data shows a gradual shift in this perspective. A report from Roblox highlights that Gen Z has become more interested in showcasing beauty and self-expression — even in-game. Some even report that they enjoy doing so more than dressing their physical selves.

Additionally, it's not only about dressing themselves in-game — it's about dressing themselves well in-game. Up to 52% of those surveyed said they'd be willing to spend at least $10 a month on digital fashion and that they preferred recognizable brands. Most of the survey respondents also stated that their physical selves were somewhat inspired by their digital avatars, and one in four admitted they try to look like their avatars.

Ultimately, the future of gaming and fashion seems headed in various directions. Fashion designers in the future may be tasked to design for in-game fashion — a virtual landscape where physical limitations like texture, material, and durability won't be an issue. Fashion brands and gaming giants can collaborate on projects that appeal to gamers, fashionistas, and fashionable gamers, widening their market reach and transforming traditional marketing. While it's hard to determine what that future will look like exactly, there's no denying the intricate connection between the gaming and fashion industries.