A trend is the latest pop-culture style, including but not limited to clothes, music, TV shows, and even slang. Every year, the internet bonds over a particular interest, causing said interest to ‘boom’ in popularity ultimately causing a skyrocket in purchases and suddenly, everyone is participating in the same trend.
But when it comes down to trends, the most difficult part is being able to keep up with what’s ’in’ and what’s ‘out’. Often trends are hard to keep up with due to their fast-moving nature.The most popular and common way to stay up to date is through TikTok and Instagram, both of which are used and updated within every hour of the day.
A trend that became extremely popular in 2023 was the Stanley, a water bottle brand, which also transitioned into 2024. In high school, the brand has become a token in everyday life but as of recently, Stanley has been competing in popularity with the brand Owala. Both brands have an aesthetic appeal that attracts consumers, with a variety of different colors to choose from and a sleek design.
However, Stanley rose in popularity in 2023 and has stayed relatively liked.
“I prefer Stanleys,” Junior Sydney Stromer said. “I think they’re cuter and their colors are more minimalistic.”
However, there is still debate revolving around which brand is better. While the stance on Stanleys is changing, a common changing trend is shoe brands. For many years Converse has been the leading brand for both women and men, but as of recently two brands have been increasing in popularity. Now in 2024, Adidas has skyrocketed in customers, overtaking Converses’ stance in leading popularity since the artist, Harry Styles, was seen wearing a pair of Adidas sambas while on tour.
Adidas has a clean design and is well-liked.
“Adidas are a lot nicer,” Stromer said. “That, and there are a lot of different styles you can wear them with.”
New Balance has also been on the slow rise, lagging just behind Converse in popularity. New Balance has always been a brand for sports, but recently, they’ve been on the uptake due to the retro and chunky style and an eye-pleasing color palette.
On the other hand, Converse have been well-liked throughout most of the 2000s, they have a simple and militaristic style that fits with all different types of clothing.
Many people find themselves in a challenging situation when it comes to affording trendy items. For instance, Converse sneakers typically cost around $65, while Adidas Campus and Sambas average between $100 and $110. New Balance 550s also come in at around $110. And that’s without considering other popular items like Stanley cups, which average $45, and Owala bottles, priced around $37.
Stromer says these costs can quickly add up.
“I spend a lot of money [keeping up with trends],” Stromer said, “Probably most of my paychecks.”
Trends have become a large part of school culture, keeping up with them allows one to connect with their peers and the people around them. It fosters a sense of community among people who have the same interests and preferences, essentially, people follow trends to create bonds with one another and to find a place in which they can fit in.
