Fame and Fashion: Dress to Impress Hits the Runway

Media coverage can make or break the success of a video game. That’s why older Roblox fashion games such as “Fashion Famous” and “Fashion Frenzy” are struggling to keep up with their hip and trendier successor, “Dress to Impress” (DTI). Thanks to the thousands of posts on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube made by young players, DTI has gone absolutely viral this year. The premise of the game is simple: players are given five minutes to create an outfit following a theme, ranging from different time periods to trending styles, like coquette or dark academia. Then, players strut on the runway, showing off their outfits while other players rate it out of five stars. The new, chic style of DTI as well as its online popularity has attracted millions of players who seek creative ways to express their fashion style in a competitive environment.

For many players, the concept of DTI is not particularly new; dress up games have been around on Roblox and as independent games. DTI, however, gained its popularity through online platforms geared specifically toward younger consumers. “I found out about it through TikTok and through my cousin,” junior Anjum Lama commented. 

“I found out about DTI from a friend […] I wanted to play Fashion Famous, but she suggested DTI instead,” junior Amy Gurcharan mentioned in an email interview. 

The competitiveness of the game has grown along with its popularity. In order to stand out, or “impress,” players utilize many different strategies. “I layer a ton because when you layer your outfit, it’s no longer as simple as the other players’ outfits. Also, sticking to the theme and choosing colors that are associated with that theme, like red and white for Christmas,” senior Alifa Azad revealed. Layering many simple pieces on top of one another, such as a skirt over pants, creates an outfit with more depth. By experimenting with the construction of their outfits, players have the freedom to create outfits unique to their style and climb to the top of the podium.

Others practice styling outfits in the “freeplay” game mode. Unlike regular servers, there is no time limit when creating outfits in freeplay. It allows players to have an upper hand by gaining more experience without being crunched for time. “I practice in freeplay by trying out random themes and styles, and I save photos of all the items I use to an album in my phone for reference. Because there’s no time restraints in freeplay, I can test out ideas without the worry of having to hop on the runway in five minutes,” senior Alice Dan explained. 

The game’s popularity has also been fueled by internet fervor over fictional character conspiracies. Lana is the name given to the nail technician in DTI; players who sit in her chair select from a variety of nail colors to add extra detail to their look. An April Fool’s update exposed Lana’s supposed unwillingness to work and claimed that she was being held hostage by the game creator Gigi. Throughout the last few months, the “Lana Lore” storyline has attracted a spellbound audience. Because of the publicity it brought, the development team has continued to feed into the internet discourse. Lore is revealed subtly in-game, through hidden easter eggs and secret rooms.“I think the Lore definitely makes it interesting because that’s the part that makes it different from the previous ‘Fashion Famous’ game,” Lama explained.

In fact, some players are more captivated by this hidden storyline than the intended gameplay. “Even if a player does not necessarily enjoy the concept of the game, they might still play to uncover more Lore,” junior Mahjabin Chowdhury remarked. The Lore continues as developments are added, which entices players to keep up with the game as the story is revealed.

Due to its compelling backstory and competitive nature, DTI can be addicting for those looking for a way to spend their time alone or with friends. “I do really like the game and don’t consider myself addicted, but I can see why it would be addicting. For one, it’s a lot of fun to play with friends, and it’s also really popular on social media among teens,” Sidu shared. 

On the other hand, some players felt that the game got old quickly or lacked challenge. While it is a refashioned version of previously popular games, many felt that it was missing originality. “I am not an addicted player. I joined the game once and won first so I stopped playing. It’s OK, it just feels like a revamp of Fashion Famous” Lama shared. 

One common complaint is that the competition can be simply unfair at times. Because the judging panel is made up of the players themselves, people are reluctant to rate each other highly. Essentially, giving other outfits stars is against each player’s own interest. This zero-sum paradox puts single players at a disadvantage, instead favoring those who are playing with their friends and have agreed to vote for one another.  Other times, outfits that seem unqualified or created with a lack of effort somehow make their way to the podium. “There is a huge epidemic of unfair voting in this game. I distinctly remember a few times when I made a gorgeous outfit that perfectly [matched] the theme, only to be beaten by someone who didn’t know what the theme was or even a player who ‘joined late’ and didn’t bother to try to play the round,” Dan commented. 

Additionally, some of the game’s content is locked behind paywalls. Roblox game currency, Robux, can unlock items unavailable for free-to-play gamers. “Some of the themes are paid for by people and they have unique themes and some of them don’t make sense. [Another issue] has to be like outfits and [things that] require Robux, and I don’t pay that,” junior Arithra Saha admitted. 

It is ultimately up to each player’s discretion whether or not they choose to play the game fairly, and some have developed their own judging criteria in order to make the game more enjoyable. “I don't vote for people who don't follow the theme as I think the whole point of the game is to try a lot of new types of styles and be pushed out of your comfort zone. But with following the theme a lot of people just do the same thing over and over again and it’s a game with so much stuff and variety that like, you should really be creative,” junior Mariya Usra stated. 

The creativity doesn’t end off-screen for DTI fanatics. Some players try to bring what they learn from the game into real life. “Sometimes when I play the game and [...] I like the outfit, like dark academia, I think about that outfit when I go out, and I’m like ‘Oh how can I incorporate that into my closet,’’’ Azad said. While the internet constantly cycles through fashion trends and fads, DTI serves as a virtual reality in which anyone can have their dream wardrobe.