Are you easily influenced by what you see on the internet? The holiday season brings around $936.3 billion into the sales industry according to CBS News, and social media trends do add to this consumerism. It can be easy to be influenced, I know, but some trends are worth your time and money more than others.
Yay
Claw Clips: Women have been accessorizing their hair since the monarchies, but hair clips really exploded in the 90s. Over time, the clips just seem to get bigger and bigger, but the styles that accompany them are just as pleasing. Claw clips have been trending with varieties of hairstyles, such as the French twist and the pushed-up pony, that make them adaptable for all hair types if you buy the right size clip.
Bows/Ribbon: My Pinterest boards are flooding with ideas for accessorizing hair, clothes, or shoes with little ribbons and bows. Tying ribbons into pigtails or using them as shoelaces, allows simple outfits to become much more intricate and cute. The best part about this trend is the creativity that comes with it. By using different patterns and textures of ribbon, you can allow this simple accessory to become a unique part of your outfit.
Uggs: Uggs have been popular since the 2000s. Now, they are back for another round, but in different styles. I enjoy Uggs because I can wear them within my house, and outside. They are like slippers and boots in one. The Tasman style, with its plush wool lining and embroidery on the edges, is best-selling on all their websites, but I find it to be the lesser of their variation of styles. The classic mini boot is the most versatile since it goes with all pant styles.
Jorts: These “half jeans half shorts” will always be debated on social media, but still seem to be trendy. People either hate them, love them or don’t know how they feel. If styled correctly, I believe jorts can be a great addition to a closet. What most people don’t realize is that jorts were created for skateboarding. This name can be confused with the history of jean shorts which were first called “jorts” and gained popularity during the Gold Rush. However, this big baggy style which became popular in the 90’s adopted the name of jorts. Since they are much longer and baggier than regular shorts, they allow movement, coolness, and protection. This is where the trend of jorts originated from before they started popping up in the media.
Snail Mucin Skincare: Social media within America has been severely behind this trend. Snail Mucin within the skincare industry has been thriving in Korea for decades. Although it is important to be aware of the production of these products, they do involve using thousands of snails for mass production. Brands such as COSRX and Peach Slices are cruelty-free brands because instead of squishing the snails, they allow them to roam around in a dark room and collect the mucin off of the trails they leave. When I use the product, it makes my skin feel super hydrated and allows the glowy and “glass skin” look, by protecting and nourishing the moisture skin barrier.
Nay
Stanley Cups: At school, grocery stores, and coffee shops, people lug around these huge cups for cold drinks. Yes, they are very convenient for the car, since their narrow bottom fits perfectly in the cup holder. That said, the abnormally large handle and wide top forces the cup to have a less attractive appearance. Recently, the Stanley Quencher Tumbler has been on every Christmas list and is constantly popping up on my FYP on TikTok. I believe them to be abnormally ugly for their fame. The only thing that could convince me to like one of these cups, is the fact they perfectly hold a pint of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, keeping my hands from freezing.
Birkenstocks: Can anyone remember when Birkenstocks first blew up on social media? These shoes have been trending for what feels like an unnecessarily long time. Since the VSCO era. Not even the best-selling Clogs are stylish. I think it’s time to move on.
TikTok Shop: This year on Sept. 12, TikTok launched their new e-commerce business for any TikTok user to shop on. The shop is located within the app and allows creators to post ads that can appear on anyone’s FYP while they are watching. What is frightening is that almost anyone can sell on this shop by creating a business account with the app. Recently, people rave about the great deals they are getting on the site, linking the product so it just takes a few taps to purchase. I feel as though purchasing products from this site is a gamble on whether or not you will actually receive what you ordered. I’ll stick to doing my online shopping at Amazon.
Uncanny Valley Makeup: An emerging trend based on the “Uncanny Valley Theory,” representing the human-like appearance of a non-human or artificial intelligence with no real emotions. The makeup done in these videos evokes an uneasy, weird feeling. It is rumored that people participate in this because of the theories about artificial intelligence that appears to be human, and the frightening feeling it causes. I see no point, and instead believe it to be a waste of makeup.
