245 Tekstilec, 2025, Vol. 68(3), 245–264 | DOI: 10.14502/tekstilec.68.2025039 Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution CC BY 4.0 licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Authors retain ownership of the copyright for their content, but allow anyone to download, reuse, reprint, modify, distribute and/or copy the content as long as the original authors and source are cited. No permission is required from the authors or the publisher. This journal does not charge APCs or submission charges. Milena Fornazarič, Mateja Gorenc Ljubljana School of Business, Tržaška cesta 42, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia Impact of Fashion Influencers on Generation Z and Millennials Purchasing Behaviour Vpliv modnih vplivnežev na nakupne navade generacije Z in milenijcev Original scientific article/Izvirni znanstveni članek Received/Prispelo 4–2025 • Accepted/Sprejeto 11–2025 Corresponding authors/Korespondenčni avtorici: Doc. dr. Milena Fornazarič E-mail: milena.fornazaric@gmail.com Tel.: +0386 41 764 673 ORCID iD: 0009-0002-7175-7687 Doc. dr. Mateja Gorenc E-mail: mateja.gorenc@vspv.si Tel.: +0386 40 558 233 ORCID iD: 0009-0000-5498-3848 Abstract In the age of social media, influencers are an important marketing tool, especially when it comes to their influ- ence on Generation Z and Millennials as they use influencer communication techniques. The article summaris- es the findings of various studies in which the authors study the influence of online influencers on purchasing behaviour when it comes to fashion products, emphasising the importance of authenticity, originality and transparency. The research also shows that an appropriate content strategy is important for the credibility of influencers, who, through thoughtful storytelling techniques, encourage favourable responses from followers and share content on social networks. In the study, we examined the influence of fashion influencers on the purchasing behaviour of Instagram users, especially when it comes to young people. Our objective was to analyse the impact of influencers, the power of their tools and how they are perceived by consumers. The aim of the research was to contribute to understanding the role of influencers in young people’s fashion purchases. Our research shows that Instagram influencers play an important role in the purchasing decisions of respond- ents who actively follow fashion content. The research results show that official profiles and user reviews have a greater impact on purchasing decisions than sponsored posts by influencers. There is also moderate scepticism regarding the accessibility of fashion influencer profiles, which is reflected in the relatively low share of those who made purchases based solely on their recommendations. Nevertheless, respondents regularly buy textiles online, mainly for practical reasons, e.g. greater choice and easier shopping. Sustainability is also important in their purchasing decisions. The results can significantly contribute to effective marketing strategies when it comes to fashion purchases. Keywords: digital marketing, influencer marketing, Instagram, fashion, Gen Z and Millennials 246 Tekstilec, 2025, Vol. 68(3), 245–264 Izvleček V času družbenih omrežij so vplivneži z uporabo različnih komunikacijskih tehnik pomembno marketinško orodje, še posebno ko gre za njihov vpliv na generacijo Z in milenijce. V članku so povzete ugotovitve različnih raziskav, v katerih avtorji proučujejo vpliv spletnih vplivnežev na nakupno vedenje, ko gre za modne izdelke, kjer avtorji poudarjajo predvsem pomen avtentičnosti, originalnosti in transparentnosti. Raziskave tudi kažejo, da je ustrezna vsebinska strategija pomembna za verodostojnost vplivnežev, ki s premišljenimi tehnikami pri- povedovanja zgodb spodbujajo ugodne odzive sledilcev in delijo vsebine na družbenih omrežjih. Z raziskavo smo želeli proučiti vpliv modnih vplivnežev na nakupno vedenje uporabnikov Instagrama, še posebno ko gre za mlajšo populacijo. Naš cilj je bil analizirati vpliv vplivnežev, moč njihovih orodij in kako jih dojemajo kupci. Namen raziskave je bil prispevati k razumevanju vloge vplivnežev pri modnih nakupih mladih. Naša raziskava kaže, da imajo Instagram vplivneži pomembno vlogo pri nakupnih odločitvah anketirancev, ki aktivno sprem- ljajo modne vsebine. Izsledki prav tako nakazujejo, da imajo uradni profili in ocene uporabnikov večji vpliv na odločitve o nakupu kot sponzorirane objave vplivnežev. Zmeren dvom se pojavi tudi glede dostopnosti profilov modnih vplivnežev, kar se odraža v relativno nizkem deležu tistih, ki so nakupe opravili zgolj na podlagi njihovih priporočil. Kljub temu anketiranci redno kupujejo tekstil preko spleta, predvsem iz praktičnih razlogov, kot sta večja izbira in lažji nakup. Trajnost je tudi pomembna pri njihovih odločitvah o nakupu. Izsledki raziskave lahko pomembno prispevajo k učinkovitim marketinškim strategijam, ko gre za nakupe modnih izdelkov. Ključne besede: digitalni marketing, vplivnostni marketing, Instagram, moda, generacija Z in milenijci 1 Introduction In an era dominated by social media, online influ- encers have become an important marketing tool for brands seeking to connect with their target cus- tomers. In the time of daily connectivity, especially among Generation Z (Gen Z) on social media, influ- encers build their influence with brands by regularly posting texts, images and videos; this is especially evident among the younger generation. 1.1 The main area Contemporary research on consumer behaviour increasingly highlights the influence of social media marketing, particularly through influencers, on younger demographics. A distinct group of micro-influencers has emerged, recognised for their perceived authenticity, personal engagement with followers and creative talent. Their success is largely driven by the followers who use them as models in shaping their brands [1]. The rise of virtual influencers further expands this landscape. Their effectiveness seems closely tied to traits such as emotional warmth, relatability and credibility [2]. The broader context of digital trans- formation – including advancements in artificial in- telligence and the growing role of social media – has considerably reshaped consumer decision-making processes [3]. Retail strategies are now influenced by a mix of channel characteristics and consumer expectations, leading to complex omnichannel marketing approaches [4]. In this dynamic, influ- encer marketing thrives especially when rooted in transparency and a sense of authenticity [5]. Influencers utilise their online presence to show- case curated lifestyles, perspectives and talents that resonate with specific brand values, forging mutually beneficial relationships. This alignment promotes both social influence and financial opportunities. Micro-influencers – typically with follower counts ranging from 1,000 to 100,000 – often concentrate on niche areas, enabling them to maintain a high Impact of Fashion Influencers on Generation Z and Millennials Purchasing Behaviour 247 level of trust and perceived authenticity among their audience [6]. Their strategy involves fostering a sense of closeness and collaboration with their followers, blurring the line between the audience and influencer. In a study involving more than 12,000 participants [1], micro-influencers were found to gain traction on social networks by capitalising on traits such as authenticity, openness and creative communication. Their ability to present themselves through music, art and social engagement significantly enhances their competitive edge. These influencers are most active in sectors such as fashion, beauty, tourism, food and beverages – product categories that are inherently expressive and sensitive to trends and pricing. The study also reveals generational differences; while older generations like Generation X and the so- called Silver Surfers often pursue financial rewards, younger audiences, especially Gen Z, are driven by a desire for recognition. Gender has a limited role; however, financial motives are more evident in entertainment-related sectors, whereas fame-driven individuals focus on interactive areas like music and social exchange. In fashion and tourism, micro-in- fluencers exert especially strong influence and their self-branding revolves around establishing exclusivity while fostering a sense of belonging. 1.2 Aim Further research focuses on the fashion industry and supports these insights. It confirms that micro-in- fluencers are often more effective than their macro counterparts in driving purchase decisions due to the higher trust and authenticity they are perceived to embody [7]. Younger generations, particularly Gen Z and Millennials, are especially responsive to Insta- gram-based marketing strategies. Studies indicate that women are more susceptible to impulsive purchases triggered by emotionally charged content [8]. Suc- cessful Instagram strategies often include storytelling techniques that connect emotionally, highlighting the importance of credible and knowledgeable influencers who foster positive attitudes toward fashion trends [9]. The impact of influencers on Gen Z is especially pronounced. Their credibility directly shapes brand perception and purchase intention, with 85% of young consumers acknowledging that such influ- encers affect their buying choices [10, 11]. Instagram remains the leading platform where Gen Z prefers to engage with product-related content and lifestyle narratives. In the highly competitive online fashion sector, this level of influence translates into a signif- icant advantage. Effective influencer marketing also relies on well-crafted content strategies. High-quality sto- rytelling – using methods like brand evaluations, emotional connections, and identity-building – has proven effective in generating favourable electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) [12]. The creative use of elements such as captions, emojis and visually engaging posts further boosts user engagement, especially when used by influential personalities [13]. Studies measuring consumer response indica- tors such as purchase intent, brand perception and impulse buying demonstrate tangible economic im- pacts, including improved visibility and consumer interaction [14, 15]. Finally, consumer attitudes in regional markets such as Slovenia reveal a strong preference for sus- tainable and certified eco-friendly textile products. These items are perceived as more costly but also more responsible and aligned with sustainability values [16]. Successful influencer strategies consistently focus on producing content that is authentic, trustworthy and tailored to the target audience. These strategies often include storytelling and platform-specific ad- aptations. Influencers vary from celebrities to niche experts, yet the common goal remains, i.e. creating engaging, high-quality content that resonates with their community while enhancing brand visibility and driving consumer behaviour. 1. 3 Research field In the research, we focused on consumer purchasing behaviour, which is one of the most interesting 248 Tekstilec, 2025, Vol. 68(3), 245–264 research areas in marketing, as it is influenced by a multitude of factors that, in various combinations, lead the consumer to make a purchase. Consumer purchasing behaviour is a complex process. Many sciences (sociology, psychology, anthropology, economics) are involved in studying consumer behaviour. We will focus on influencers who impact their followers with their behaviour. Influencers are individuals who have a large reach and influence on social media and can guide the purchasing decisions and behaviour of their followers with their opinions, recommendations and content. They usually specialise in a specific field, e.g. fashion, technology, fitness or travel, and work with brands to promote products or services. Their influence is based on authenticity, follower engagement and the ability to create compelling content. Fashion influ- encers have a strong impact on young people (Gen Z and Millennials), as they shape fashion trends, encourage purchasing decisions and promote certain brands through social media. Their authenticity and accessibility create a sense of trust, which is why young people often imitate their style and follow their recommendations. In addition, influencers also affect values such as sustainable fashion, ethical production and individuality, which changes the way young peo- ple perceive and consume fashion. 2 Methods In the research, we used a quantitative online sur- vey method, as we wanted to shed light on various aspects that influence purchasing behaviour and provide insight into the power of influencers when it comes to fashion. Our objective was to analyse the impact of influencers, the power of their tools and how they are perceived by buyers, especially when it comes to young people. The aim of the research was to contribute to understanding the role of influencers when it comes to young people’s fashion purchase decisions. We wanted to analyse the data obtained using a survey questionnaire on the importance of individ- ual factors with which influencers influence the pur- chase of fashion products by Gen Z and Millennials and above all, to interpret the obtained results and verify the hypotheses set. Moreover, based on the research conducted, we wanted to provide recom- mendations for further research and practice. 2.1 Research plan The online questionnaire consisted exclusively of closed-ended questions. This method was chosen to efficiently gather responses from Instagram users about their behaviours and attitudes related to fashion influencers. A structured questionnaire was developed, consisting of exclusively closed-ended questions (multiple choice and Likert-type scales). The survey instrument was constructed based on the themes identified in the literature on influencer marketing and consumer behaviour. Questions consequently covered topics such as Instagram usage habits, engagement with fashion content, per- ceptions of influencer credibility and self-reported purchasing behaviour influenced by various sources (influencers, official brand content, peer reviews). Where possible, we drew on or adapted items from previous studies to ensure content validity, e.g. we included a question with a 5-point scale asking respondents how often Instagram advertising influ- ences their attitude toward fashion products (from “Never” to “ Almost always”), similar to the measures used in prior social media impact studies. Some questions were tailored to our context (e.g. naming Instagram specifically, or local examples), and the overall questionnaire was reviewed by two market- ing faculty members for clarity and relevance. Before full deployment, the survey underwent a brief pre-test with a small group of five individuals from the target population (university students and young professionals) to ensure that questions were clear and interpreted as intended. This feedback led to minor wording adjustments. No formal pilot study or scale validation (e.g. factor analysis) was conducted due to time constraints and the pri- marily exploratory nature of some questions – this Impact of Fashion Influencers on Generation Z and Millennials Purchasing Behaviour 249 is acknowledged as a limitation. However, many questions were straightforward factual or prefer- ence items (e.g. “Do you follow fashion content on Instagram? Y es/No, ” or selecting which content type influences you most), which mitigated the need for extensive psychometric validation of scales. The survey was conducted via the website 1ka. si. Respondents accessed the online survey via a web link. Our sample consisted of everyone who uses Instagram. It comprised several sections, namely Demographics (age, gender, education), Instagram usage (frequency of use, following of fashion con- tent), Content Influence – which types of Instagram content (sponsored influencer posts, friends’ posts, official brand profiles, user reviews etc.) are most persuasive, Behaviour and Attitudes – including whether the respondent follows fashion influencers and whether they have ever purchased clothing based solely on an influencer’s recommendation, and perceptions regarding the fashion industry and sustainability. The survey was anonymous and took approximately 5–7 minutes to complete. The sample was a non-probability sampling, i.e. a convenience sampling. We accessed the sample by sharing the link to the survey on the social networks Facebook and Instagram, through the online class- rooms of marketing and informatics students at the Ljubljana School of Business, and friends/family. We also asked social network users to forward the survey to their friends and acquaintances. The online survey was available for 14 days. W e expected approximately 100 appropriate responses for analysis; however, in the end, we received 185 completed questionnaires, 183 of which were completed correctly and met all the conditions. The obtained data was then analysed with SPSS and MS Excel, using various statistical methods. We first performed descriptive statistics to summarise the data (frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations) for all survey questions. This provided an overview of sample characteristics and general trends (e.g. proportion of respondents following fashion content, or average self-reported influence of Instagram advertising). These descriptive results are presented in a series of tables for clarity. To test our hypotheses, we employed inferential statistical tests. In particular, we used the chi-square test of independence for hypotheses that involved categorical comparisons (e.g. comparing groups of respondents on whether they have made a purchase based on an influencer’s recommendation). The chi- square test is appropriate for identifying whether differences in proportions between groups are statistically significant. For each relevant hypothesis, contingency tables were constructed (cross-tabu- lating, e.g. age group by following fashion content, or following influencers by purchase behaviour), and the chi-square statistic (χ²) and p-value were calculated. A significance level of α = 0.05 was used to determine statistical significance. We reported the p-values and established whether the hypotheses were supported or not. 2.2 Hypotheses Drawing on the literature review and research objec- tives, we formulated the following hypotheses: Hypothesis 1 (H1): Generation Z and Millennials follow fashion content on Instagram more than older generations. This hypothesis posits a generational difference in engagement with fashion-related content on Instagram. Younger users, being digital natives, are expected to have higher involvement in following fashion influencers or brands on social media 1 . We anticipate that respondents in Gen Z/Millennial age ranges will report a higher rate of following fashion content compared to older respondents (e.g. those above Millennial age). Hypothesis 2 (H2): Instagram sponsored posts by influencers are the most likely to persuade respondents to buy fashion products. 1 https://www.surveymonkey.com/curiosity/gen-z-social- media-and-shopping-habits/ 250 Tekstilec, 2025, Vol. 68(3), 245–264 This hypothesis reflects the assumption that influencer advertisements (sponsored posts) have a particularly strong influence on consumer buying decisions, perhaps more so than other content on In- stagram (such as brand’s own posts or peer content). The rationale comes from studies indicating that sponsored influencer content can be highly effective, e.g. one Gen Z study found that 80% of participants responded very favourably to sponsored influencer material 2 . We therefore expect sponsored posts to be ranked by respondents as the content type most likely to convince them to buy fashion items. Hypothesis 3 (H3): The respondents who follow fash- ion influencers are more inclined to buy clothes based solely on their recommendations. Theoretical justification for this hypothesis lies in the social influence and parasocial relationship theory: individuals who choose to follow fashion influencers likely trust them or find their content ap- pealing, which should translate into a higher propen- sity to act on their recommendations 3 . Prior research shows a strong correlation between following influ- encers and being influenced by them in purchasing contexts 4 . We expect to find that the respondents in our sample who follow fashion influencers have a significantly higher rate of having made a purchase due to an influencer’s recommendation, compared to those who do not follow influencers. Hypothesis 4: The respondents who follow fashion content are more often willing to buy clothes simply because of influencer recommendations. This hypothesis is related to H3; however, it extends the concept to anyone engaging with fash- 2 https://wsj.westsciences.com/index.php/wsis/article/ view/317#:~:text=authenticity.%20Transparency%20 %2872.5,of%20Generation%20Z%20in%20Indonesia 3 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-023-02512- 1#:~:text=credibility%20and%20purchase%20intention%20 by,moderating%20effect%20on%20the%20relationship 4 https://wsj.westsciences.com/index.php/wsis/article/ view/317#:~:text=locations,percent%20of%20users%20 preferred%20partnerships ion content (not only specific influencer accounts). The idea is that if a person is interested in fashion content on Instagram – whether through influenc- ers, brand pages, or hashtags – they are immersed in the social media fashion culture and thus more open to influence from any fashion-related source. Essentially, being a follower of fashion content creates a receptive mindset towards influencer suggestions. Industry surveys support this notion: users who follow brands or fashion pages on social media are much more likely to purchase products promoted on these platforms 5 . We hypothesise that the respondents who indicate they follow fashion content on Instagram will show a greater willingness (and actual behaviour) to buy items purely due to influencer endorsements, compared to those who do not follow fashion content. 3 Results and discussion A total of 183 respondents participated in the survey. The key demographic characteristics are summarised in Table 1. The majority of respondents were female (approximately 78%), reflecting a gender imbalance in our sample. In terms of age, our sample skewed slightly older than the primary target of Gen Z: more than half of respondents (56%) were over 36 years old, while about one-third (31%) were between 19 and 25 years old; the remainder fell between 26 and 35. This indicates that a significant portion of participants were older Millennials or even Gen X, which is noteworthy for interpreting the results of H1 (since we have a substantial comparison group of older vs. younger). Regarding education level, 75% of respondents reported having higher or university-level education, and only 5% had a vocational (secondary) education, meaning the sample was relatively well-educated. These demographics highlight a limitation, the sample is namely not representative of the general 5 https://www.surveymonkey.com/curiosity/gen-z-social- media-and-shopping-habits/ Impact of Fashion Influencers on Generation Z and Millennials Purchasing Behaviour 251 population of Instagram users in terms of gender and age distribution. Instead, it over-represents women and includes a large fraction of older indi- viduals. This bias will be considered when discussing the generalisability of findings. Nevertheless, it also provides an interesting internal comparison – since we do have respondents across different age groups, we can observe generational differences within our data, albeit within a convenience sample. Table 1: Demographic data Demographic data Answers Frequency Percentage (%) Cumulative (%) Gender Female 142 78% 78 Men 41 22% 100 Age 0–18 years 0 0% 0 19–25 years 31 17% 17 26–35 years 45 25% 42 36–45 years 60 33 74 46 years and older 47 26 100 Education Primary school 0 0 0 Secondary school 10 5 5 High education 35 19 25 Higher education 68 37 62 University education 70 38 100 Total 183 100 Nearly all respondents were active Instagram users, as expected by our inclusion criteria. Table 2 shows that the vast majority of the respondents (76%) use Instagram, and the majority of Instagram users (91%) spend up to two hours per day on the platform. 62% of the respondents follow fashion content on Instagram. About half of the respondents (49%) believe that Instagram advertising rarely in- fluences their attitude towards fashion products. The mean of the responses for the impact of Instagram advertising (AM = 2.6, SD = 0.9) shows that the majority of the respondents tend to be moderately influenced by Instagram advertising. We specifically explored which types of Insta- gram content respondents find most convincing when it comes to making purchasing decisions for fashion products. This addresses H2. We provided multiple options and allowed respondents to select all that apply. The content types included: sponsored influencer posts, posts by friends/acquaintances, official brand profiles/posts, user reviews or opin- ions (e.g. in comments or Q&A stories), and video tutorials or product demonstration posts. Table 3 summarises the results of this question. Table 3 shows the responses when the respon- dents were asked which types of content on Insta- gram most persuade them to buy. Official brand profiles convince the most respondents (59%). Ratings and opinions of users (48%) also have a sig- nificant impact on the purchase, as users often trust the experiences and reviews of other consumers. Sponsored posts by influencers (15%) proved to be the least convincing in this survey. The results from Table 3 are somewhat striking: official brand profiles outranked influencer posts by a large margin in terms of perceived influence on pur- chasing. This finding runs counter to the assumption in H2 that influencer-sponsored posts would domi- nate. Instead, it appears that respondents rely more on direct brand communications and peer feedback. This could reflect a scepticism towards influencer promo- tions – possibly viewing them as ads – or simply that 252 Tekstilec, 2025, Vol. 68(3), 245–264 official brand pages often provide reliable information (e.g. product details, new arrivals) that directly facil- itates purchase decisions. The relatively high trust in user reviews (48%) aligns with global trends where consumers trust peer experiences and reviews as much as or even more than traditional advertising. Our survey included questions to gauge how Table 2: Using Instagram and following fashion content on Instagram Questions Answers Frequency Percentage (%) Cumulative (%) Do you use the social network Instagram? Yes 136 76 76 No 42 24 100 Total respondents 178 100 How much time do you spend on Instagram per day? Less than 1 hour per day 63 46 46 1–2 hours per day 61 45 91 3–4 hours per day 12 9 100 More than 5 hours per day 0 0 100 Total respondents 136 100 Do you follow fashion content on this platform? Yes 84 62 62 No 52 38 100 Total respondents 136 100 Do you think Instagram advertising influences your attitude towards fashion products? 1 – Never 14 10 10 2 – Rarely 52 39 49 3 – Sometimes 48 36 85 4 – Often 16 12 97 5 – Almost always 4 3 100 Total respondents 134 100 Mean of the responses 2.6 Std. deviation 0.9 many respondents actively follow fashion influencers on Instagram and whether they imitate or take inspi- ration from these influencers, as well as if they have ever made a purchase based solely on an influencer’s recommendation. These questions help address H3 and H4 by segmenting the sample according to their engagement level. Table 3: What types of content on Instagram convince you the most to buy? What types of content on Instagram convince you the most to buy? – more possible answers Frequency Valid Percentage (%) Sponsored influencer posts 20 130 15 Posts by friends and acquaintances 51 130 39 Official brand profiles 77 130 59 User reviews and opinions (comments, Q&A story) 62 130 48 Video tutorials and product demonstrations 39 130 30 Total respondents 130 Table 4 shows that 46% of the respondents regu- larly follow fashion influencers, 16% only sometimes, while 38% do not follow fashion influencers. The largest share of the respondents (42%) rarely follow ideas and styles recommended by influencers and 25% of the respondents do not imitate them at all. The mean of the responses for the variable following fashion influencers (AS = 2.2, SD = 0.9) shows that Impact of Fashion Influencers on Generation Z and Millennials Purchasing Behaviour 253 while most respondents follow influencers, they only occasionally or rarely imitate them in fashion trends. Only 30% of the respondents have purchased clothing solely on the recommendation of an online influencer. Table 4: Impact of content and influencers Questions Answers Frequency Percentage (%) Cumulative (%) Do you follow any fashion influencers? Yes 61 46 46 No 51 38 84 Sometimes 22 16 100 Total respondents 134 100 Do you want to imitate their ideas, styles, recommendations on fashion trends? 1 - Never 34 25 25 2 - Rarely 56 42 67 3 - Sometimes 33 25 92 4 - Often 11 8 100 5 - Almost always 0 0 100 Total respondents 134 100 Mean of the responses 2.2 Std. deviation 0.9 Have you ever purchased clothes based exclusively on the recommendation of an online influencer? Yes 40 30 30 No 94 70 100 Total respondents 134 100 Table 5: The respondents’ opinions on actual image of fashion industry Questions Answers Frequency Percentage (%) Cumulative (%) Do you think that the fashion trends predicted by online influencers are important to you and affect your purchasing behavior? 1 - I don‘t know 3 2 2 2 - Never 43 33 35 3 - Rarely 46 35 70 4 - Sometimes 35 27 97 5 - Often 4 3 100 6 - Almost always 0 0 100 Total respondents 131 100 Mean of the responses 3.0 Std. deviation 0.9 Do you think fashion influencers portray a realistic image of the fashion industry? 1 - Yes 5 4 4 2 - Partially 75 57 61 3 - No 51 39 100 Total 131 100 Mean of the responses 2.4 Std. deviation 0.6 Do you think fashion influencers portray a realistic lifestyle? 1 - Yes 1 1 1 2 - Partially 39 30 31 3 - No 91 69 100 Total respondents 131 100 Mean of the responses 2.7 Std. deviation 0.5 Table 5 shows that 68% of the respondents believe that fashion trends posted by influencers on their Instagram profiles are not relevant to their shopping process. Only 4% of respondents believe 254 Tekstilec, 2025, Vol. 68(3), 245–264 that influencers represent the real fashion industry. Most respondents (57%) estimate that the portrayal of the fashion industry is only partly realistic. The average agreement (AS = 2.4, SD = 0.6) is closer to the “Partially” answer, confirming that the general opinion in the sample is reserved: most do not believe that influencers fully capture reality, but are aware that some aspects of fashion are still reflected. As many as 69% of the respondents believe that fashion influencers do not portray a realistic lifestyle and additional 30% estimate that this portrayal is only partially realistic. Table 6, which shows how respondents assess their attitude towards fashion, shows that 39% of the respondents follow fashion, but do not necessarily dress according to trends, 31% follow fashion only occasionally, and 18% of respondents regularly follow fashion and trends. The mean (AS = 2.7, SD = 1.0) shows that most respondents tend to follow fashion moderately. Table 6: Attitude towards fashion Question Answers Frequency Percentage (%) Cumulative (%) How would you rate your attitude towards fashion? 1 -Not interested 18 10 10 2 - I only occasionally follow fashion trends 53 31 41 3 - I follow fashion, but I don‘t dress according to trends 67 39 80 4 - I regularly follow fashion and trends 31 18 98 5 - I am very involved in the fashion industry (e.g., blogger, stylist, influencer, fashion designer) 4 2 100 Total respondents 173 100 Mean of the responses 2.7 Std. deviation 1.0 Table 7 shows how often the respondents buy fashion products (textiles) online, showing that as many as 34% of the respondents buy textiles online frequently, 27% of them sometimes and 22% rarely shop online. The mean of the responses (AS = 3.0, SD = 1.1) indicates that the overall level of online shopping is moderate, with a standard deviation of 1.1 indicating that the habits of the respondents are relatively diverse. Table 7: Online purchasing Question Answers Frequency Percentage (%) Cumulative (%) Do you buy fashion products (textiles) online? 1 - Never 16 9 9 2 - Rarely 40 23 33 3 - Sometimes 47 27 60 4 - Often 59 34 94 5 - Almost always 10 6 100 Total respondents 172 100 Mean of the responses 3.0 Std. deviation 1.1 Table 8 displays what most attracts the respon- dents to buying clothes online and shows that the largest proportion (60%) are most attracted by the greater choice of products, with 57% also pointing out the ease of delivery and returns. Furthermore, lower prices (43%) and other benefits (discounts, promotions, loyalty programmes) (46%) influence the decision. Influencer recommendations (5%) are by far the least common reason to buy online. Impact of Fashion Influencers on Generation Z and Millennials Purchasing Behaviour 255 Table 8: What attracts you most to online clothing shopping? What attracts you most to online clothing shopping? Frequency Valid Valid (%) Lower prices than in stores 71 167 43 Greater choice of products 100 167 60 Influencer recommendations 8 167 5 Easy delivery and returns 95 167 57 Other benefits (discounts, promotions, loyalty programs) 76 167 46 Total respondents 167 In Table 9, which shows whether the respon- dents are interested in the sustainability aspect (eco materials, ethical production), we can see that the majority of the respondents (68%) occasionally take sustainability aspects into account when buying clothing. Only 6% always buy sustainable products, while 26% do not pay attention to this aspect. Table 9: Sustainability Question Answers Frequency Percentage (%) Cumulative (%) Are you interested in the sustainable aspect (eco materials, ethical production) when buying clothes? 1 - Yes, I always buy sustainable products 11 6 6 2 - Yes, I occasionally take this aspect into account 117 68 74 3 - No, it doesn‘t matter to me when shopping 44 26 100 Total respondents 172 100 Mean of the responses 2.2 Std. deviation 0.5 Table 10, which presents how much the re- spondents spend on online clothing purchases per month, shows that the vast majority of the respon- dents (75%) spend up to 100 euros per month on online clothing purchases, 20% spend up to 100 to 200 euros, only 5% of the respondents spend from 200 to 400 euros, and no one exceeds spending more than 400 euros. With the descriptive results covered, we now proceed to hypothesis testing, where we tie these findings back to H1–H4, providing statistical evi- dence for confirmation or rejection. Table 10: Monthly spending on online clothing purchases Question Answers Frequency Percentage (%) Cumulative (%) How much do you spend per month buying clothes online? < 100 euros 124 75 75 100–200 euros 33 20 95 200–400 euros 9 5 100 > 400 euros 0 0 100 Total respondents 166 100 Hypothesis 1. Generation Z and Millennials follow fashion content more on Instagram than older generations. NOT CONFIRMED To test H1, we split respondents into two age groups: “younger” (Gen Z & Millennials, roughly ages 15–35) and “older” (above 35, which in our 256 Tekstilec, 2025, Vol. 68(3), 245–264 sample primarily corresponds to Gen X). We then compared the proportions of each group that reported following fashion content on Instagram. However, since our sample had a skew (with 56% over age 36), we conducted a chi-square test to see if the difference was statistically significant. The Table 11 shows that out of 173 respondents, 130 (75.1%) provided valid answers and 43 (24.9%) did not, regarding whether people younger or older than 46 follow fashion content on the platform. Table 11: Summary of statistical analysis characteristics Case processing summary Cases Valid Missing Total Number Percentage (%) Number Percentage (%) Number Percentage (%) Age younger older 46 Do you follow fashion content on this platform? 130 75.1 43 24.9 173 100.0 Based on the analysis of the results (Table 12), we can see that Gen Z and Millennials (aged 19 to 45) are slightly more likely to follow fashion content on Instagram compared to older generations (46 years and older). However, the chi-square test (Table 13) p = 0.269 (p > 0.05) shows that the difference is not statistically significant. Therefore, H1 cannot be confirmed. Table 12: Age contingency table according to fashion content monitoring Age younger older 46 Do you follow fashion content on this platform? Yes No 19–45 years Count 69 38 Percentage 64.5% 35.5% 46 years and older Count 12 11 Percentage 52.2% 47.8% Total respondents Count 81 49 Percentage 62.3% 37.7% In other words, H1 was not confirmed by our data. The difference in following fashion content between younger and older respondents, while present in raw percentages, was not statistically reliable given our sample size and distribution. One likely reason is the composition of our “older” group: many older respondents in our sample might still be relatively tech-savvy (since they came through social media channels), and a fair number of them do follow fashion content, making the gap smaller than hypothesised. In our data, 63% of the respondents under 36 followed fashion content, compared to about 55% of those aged 36 and above – a difference, but not a dramatic one. Therefore, H1 cannot be confirmed with statistical confidence, suggesting that in our sample, Gen Z/Millennial users were not significantly more likely to follow fashion content on Instagram than the older (Gen X) users. Here’s a bar chart visualising the percentage of people in each age group who follow fashion con- tent on the platform (Figure 1). People aged 19–45 are more likely to follow fashion content (64.5%) Table 13: Chi-square test for age association and monitoring of fashion content Chi- Square statistics Value df Asymp- totic sig- nificance (2-sided) Exact sig. 2-sided) Exact sig. (1-sided) Pearson chi- square 1,222 a) 1 .269 Number of valid cases 130 a) 0 cells (0.0%) have expected count less than 5. The mini- mum expected count is 8.67. Impact of Fashion Influencers on Generation Z and Millennials Purchasing Behaviour 257 compared to those 46 and older (52.2%). Converse- ly, a higher percentage of older users (47.8%) do not follow fashion content compared to younger users (35.5%). Figure 1: Fashion content following by age group Hypothesis 2. Instagram sponsored posts by influencers are the most likely to persuade respon- dents to buy fashion products. NOT CONFIRMED This hypothesis can be evaluated by looking at the results we described in Table 3 (content types that persuade purchases). The expectation was that sponsored influencer posts would rank highest. Table 14 shows which types of content on Instagram most persuade the respondents to buy. Sponsored posts by influencers (15%) proved to be the least convincing in this survey. Official brand profiles (59%) have the most significant impact, indicating a high level of trust in direct, official information. Therefore, H2 cannot be confirmed. Table 14 and Figure 2 illustrate how often dif- ferent types of Instagram content convince users to make a purchase. The content types are ranked by their influence (frequency of selection) among the respondents. Official brand profiles are the most convincing, with the highest frequency (close to 80). This suggests that users trust and are most influenced by direct content from brands. User reviews and opin- ions (comments, Q&A story) come second (around 62), highlighting the importance of peer feedback and social proof in purchasing decisions. Posts by friends and acquaintances also have a significant impact (around 52), showing that personal connections can influence consumer behaviour. Video tutorials and product demonstrations (around 39) are moderately T able 14: What types of content on Instagram convince you the most to buy? What types of content on Instagram convince you the most to buy? Frequen- cy Valid Percent- age (%) Sponsored influencer posts 20 130 15 Posts by friends and acquaintances 51 130 39 Official brand profiles 77 130 59 User reviews and opinions (comments, Q&A story) 62 130 48 Video tutorials and product demonstrations 39 130 30 Total respondents - 130 Figure 2: Instagram content types that influence pur- chasing decisions 258 Tekstilec, 2025, Vol. 68(3), 245–264 persuasive, indicating that informative content helps in decision-making. Sponsored influencer posts have the least influence (about 20), suggesting a possible scepticism or lower trust in paid promotions com- pared to other content types. Hypothesis 3: The respondents who follow fash- ion influencers are more inclined to buy clothes based solely on their recommendations. CONFIRMED Hypothesis 3 deals with the relationship between following influencers and purchase behaviour. We tested H3 by cross-tabulating “Do you follow any fashion influencers?” (Yes/No) with “Have you ever purchased clothing based exclusively on an influencer’s recommendation?” (Yes/No). A chi- square test was conducted to statistically verify this association. The Table 15 indicates that out of 173 respon- dents, 130 (75.1%) provided valid answers and 43 (24.9%) did not regarding whether they follow any fashion influencers. Table 15: Summary of statistical analysis characteristics Case processing summary Cases Valid Missing Total Number Percentage (%) Number Percentage (%) Number Percentage (%) Do you follow any fashion influencers? Have you ever purchased clothes based exclusively on the recommendation of an online influencer? 130 75.1 43 24.9 173 100.0 Based on the analysis of the results (Table 16), we can see that among those who regularly follow fashion influencers, as many as half (51.7%) have already made a purchase based solely on their recommendation. Among those who do not follow influencers, such purchases are extremely rare (only 6.1%). Based on the result of the chi-square test (Table 17), p = 0.001 (p > 0.05), H3 is confirmed, as there are statistically significant differences in purchasing behaviour between different groups of respondents. Those who follow influencers make such purchases more often; hence, we confirm H3. Table 16: Contingency table to check H3 Cross-tabulation of responses Have you ever purchased clothes based exclusively on the recommendation of an online influencer? Yes No Do you follow any fashion influencers? Ye s Count 31 29 Percentage 51.7% 48.3% No Count 3 46 Percentage 6.1% 93.9% Sometimes Count 5 16 Percentage 23.8% 76.2% Total respondents Percentage Count 39 91 30.0% 70.0% Those who follow fashion influencers indeed are far more likely to have been influenced to pur- chase fashion items solely on the basis of influencer recommendations, compared to those who do not follow influencers. This finding makes intuitive sense and aligns with theoretical expectations: if Impact of Fashion Influencers on Generation Z and Millennials Purchasing Behaviour 259 Table 17: Chi-square test results to check H3 Chi-square statistics Value df Asymptotic Significance (2-sided) Pearson chi-square 27.099 a) 2 < .001 Number of valid cases 130 a) 0 cells (0.0%) have expected count less than 5. The minimum expected count is 6.30. Table 18: Summary of statistical analysis characteristics Case processing summary Cases Valid Missing Total Number Percentage (%) Number Percentage (%) Number Percentage (%) Do you follow fashion content on this platform? Have you ever purchased clothes based exclusively on the recommendation of an online influencer? 130 75.1 43 24.9 173 100.0 someone chooses to follow influencers, they are exposing themselves to persuasive content and likely have some level of trust or admiration for the influencer, which in many cases translates into try- ing out products the influencers recommend. Our result resonates with broader research that has found strong positive correlations between consumers’ engagement with influencers and their subsequent buying behaviour 6 . The bar chart in Figure 3 visualises the relation- ship between following fashion influencers and pur- chasing clothes based on their recommendations. Among those who do follow influencers, more than a half (31 out of 60) have made a purchase based on their recommendation. The majority of those who do not follow influencers have not made such pur- chases (46 out of 49). Those who sometimes follow influencers are more likely not to purchase based on recommendations (16 vs. 5). Hypothesis 4: The respondents who follow fashion content are more often willing to buy clothes simply because of influencer recommendations. CONFIRMED Hypothesis 4 is closely related to H3; however, it broadens the scope to anyone following fashion-re- lated content (not just influencers). In practice, to test H4 we looked at respondents who answered “Yes” to following fashion content on Instagram (which could include following brand pages, hashtags etc.), 6 https://wsj.westsciences.com/index.php/wsis/article/ view/317#:~:text=locations,percent%20of%20users%20 preferred%20partnerships Figure 3: Purchases based on influencer recommenda- tions vs. following fashion influencers 260 Tekstilec, 2025, Vol. 68(3), 245–264 and compared their rate of purchasing based on influencer recommendations to those who answered “No” (do not follow any fashion content). Essentially, this is another 2 × 2 comparison: follow fashion con- tent (Yes/No) vs. ever purchased due to influencer (Y es/No). The Table 18 shows that out of 173 respondents, 130 (75.1%) provided valid answers and 43 (24.9%) did not regarding following fashion content on the platform and purchasing clothes based on an online influencer’s recommendation. Based on the analysis of the results (Table 19), we can see that those who have already made a pur- chase of clothing on the basis of a recommendation are higher in the group that follows fashion content (42%) than in those that do not follow it (10.2%). This means that following fashion content on Instagram increases the likelihood that respondents will decide to purchase clothing solely on the recommendation of an influencer. Based on the result of the chi-square test (Table 20) p = 0.001 (p > 0.05), H4 is confirmed, as there are statistically significant differences. Those who follow fashion content significantly more often make purchases of clothing based solely on recom- mendations. H4 is confirmed. Table 19: Contingency table for checking H4 Cross-tabulation of responses Have you ever purchased clothes based exclusively on the recommendation of an online influencer? Yes No Do you follow fashion content on this platform? Ye s Count 34 47 Percentage 42.0% 58.0% No Count 5 44 Percentage 10.2% 89.8% Total respondents Percentage Count 39 91 30.0% 70.0% Table 20: Chi-square test results to check H4 Chi-square statistics Value df Asymptotic significance (2-sided) Exact sig. (2-sided) Exact sig. (1-sided) Pearson chi-square 14.675 a) 1 < .001 Number of valid cases 130 a) 0 cells (0.0%) have expected count less than 5. The minimum expected count is 14.70. It is worth clarifying the conceptual distinction between H3 and H4 in light of these results. H3 isolated the effect of explicitly following influencer accounts, whereas H4 suggests that even following fashion broadly (which could mean one follows brand accounts or fashion news but not necessarily influenc- ers) is associated with being influenced by influencers. The confirmation of H4 implies that an interest in fashion content in general predisposes consumers to be receptive to influencer suggestions. Possibly, those who follow fashion content encounter influencers indirectly (e.g. via brand reposts or hashtags) and still absorb their recommendations. Alternatively, it might indicate that people passionate about fashion (as evidenced by following fashion content) are sim- ply more open to trying new things, including those touted by influencers. Either way, H4 underscores a broader point: engagement with the fashion domain on Instagram, in any form, correlates with higher likelihood of influencer-driven purchasing. Impact of Fashion Influencers on Generation Z and Millennials Purchasing Behaviour 261 Figure 4: Purchases based on influencer recommenda- tions vs. following fashion content The bar chart in Figure 4 shows the relationship between following fashion content on the platform and purchasing clothes based on an influencer’s recommendation. Among those who follow fashion content, 42% have purchased based on an influenc- er’s recommendation (34 out of 81). Among those who do not follow, only 10.2% have done so (5 out of 49), with a strong majority not influenced. This research makes several theoretical contri- butions to the study of influencer marketing and consumer behaviour. First, our results reinforce the idea that social media influencers can indeed alter consumer purchase behaviour; however, they add nuance to the understanding of how and when this influence occurs. The confirmation of H3 and H4 aligns with the social influence theory and the con- cept of parasocial relationships, i.e. consumers who engage with influencers or fashion content are more susceptible to being influenced in their purchasing decisions. This supports models that link influencer engagement to purchase intention via trust and relationship-building 7 . Our findings provide empir- ical evidence of this link in a survey setting and in a new regional context (Slovenia), thus broadening the generalisability of existing theories beyond the commonly studied markets. Secondly, our study contributes to the literature by comparing the persuasive power of different content sources on social media. The finding that official brand profiles and peer reviews were more influential than influencer posts (H2 not supported) challenges some assumptions in influencer mar- keting discourse. It suggests that, at least for the surveyed population, the credibility of information might outweigh the charisma of influencers. This insight contributes to theory by emphasising the role of content type and source credibility: it is not just who delivers a message (influencer vs. brand vs. peer) but the perceived trustworthiness of that source that affects consumer response. It echoes the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM) in that consumers might be processing influencer promo- tions more peripherally (and perhaps sceptically), whereas brand information and peer opinions could be seen as more central cues for decision-making 8 . Our results invite a theoretical reconsideration of when influencer content crosses the line to be seen as “advertising” by consumers, potentially triggering persuasion knowledge and scepticism (as evidenced by moderate trust and low direct conversion rates). Additionally, our research offers a regional contribution by being, to our knowledge, one of the first studies focusing on influencer impact on fashion purchasing in Slovenia. It provides a point of comparison with studies from other countries. For example, Erwin et al. (2023) in Indonesia found 7 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-023-02512- 1?error=cookies_not_supported&code=a773f28f-41f0- 4ff9-bca8-6b05b52bc827#:~:text=The%20use%20of%20 social%20media,moderating%20effect%20on%20the%20 relationship 8 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-023-02512- 1?error=cookies_not_supported&code=a773f28f-41f0- 4ff9-bca8-6b05b52bc827#:~:text=The%20use%20of%20 social%20media,moderating%20effect%20on%20the%20 relationship 262 Tekstilec, 2025, Vol. 68(3), 245–264 an extremely high rate (85%) of Gen Z consumers acknowledging influencer impact on purchases 9 , whereas our Slovenian sample shows a lower rate (30% have purchased based on influencer recom- mendation). This discrepancy might hint at cultural or market differences – perhaps Slovenian consum- ers are more sceptical or have different media con- sumption patterns. By documenting this difference, our study contributes to the theoretical conversation on how cultural context and market maturity influence the effectiveness of influencer marketing. It underscores that influencer marketing theories and models (mostly developed in large markets) should be tested in varying contexts; what holds in one culture may not exactly replicate in another. Our findings thus encourage an expansion of theory to incorporate context-dependent factors such as consumer scepticism, market size and prevalence of alternative information channels. Finally, our inclusion of sustainability consider- ations ties our work into the theoretical discourse on ethical consumerism in the digital age. We observed that sustainability is important to our respondents, consistent with prior research in Slovenia and global Gen Z trends 10 . While we did not hypothesise directly about sustainability, the prominence of this theme in both our qualitative observations and respondents’ attitudes suggests theoretical integration: influencer marketing’s impact might increasingly depend on alignment with consumer values like sustainability. This contributes to emerging theories on the inter- section of influencer marketing and brand activism/ values-driven marketing. 9 https://wsj.westsciences.com/index.php/wsis/article/ view/317#:~:text=locations,percent%20of%20users%20 preferred%20partnerships 10 https://www.surveymonkey.com/curiosity/gen-z-social- media-and-shopping-habits/ 4 Conclusion Our research shows that Instagram influencers play an important role in the purchasing decisions of re- spondents who actively follow fashion content. Most respondents regularly buy textiles online, confirming the importance of the online environment for fashion shopping. The influence of Instagram content and influencers is significant, and purchasing behaviour also depends on other factors, e.g. personal interests, perceptions of influencers’ authenticity and brand marketing strategies. The research results show that official profiles and user ratings have a greater influence on purchasing decisions than sponsored posts by influencers. There is also a moderate scepti- cism regarding the availability of fashion influencer profiles, which is reflected in the relatively low pro- portion of those who made their purchases based solely on their recommendations. Most respondents believe that fashion influencers only partially show a realistic resemblance to the fashion industry, which indicates moderate criticism and scepticism toward their representation. Nevertheless, respondents regularly buy textiles online, mainly for practical reasons, i.e. greater choice and ease of purchase. Sustainability is also important in their purchasing decisions. We are aware of the limitations of the research, which is a result of the unrepresentative sample, as it concerns students from a specific school and programme, and friends on social networks, mostly in a limited geographical area of Slovenia. These findings provide comprehensive insight into respondents’ behaviour and preferences in the digital environment, which is valuable for designing online marketing strategies and adapting fashion product offerings. 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