Trends shared throughout the pandemic
By Alani Kanan, Staff Writer
As COVID-19 rapidly spread throughout the globe, nations worldwide were forced to move the entirety of their interactions to virtual platforms. Citizens found themselves with extra time on their hands like never before, which led many to experiment with their fashion sense, try new cooking recipes and even pick up obscure hobbies. With people constantly on their devices and searching for a new way to feel connected to society, the following trends spread like wildfire until they eventually took over the internet one-by-one.
The new abundance of leisure time took everyone by surprise and forced the general population to find new ways to entertain themselves. Many resorted to their televisions and began binge-watching nearly everything Netflix had to offer. One show that was particularly popular amongst teenagers was “Outer Banks”, a series that follows a group of teenagers on their chaotic journey to hunt missing treasure. The collective obsession with this show played a large role in sparking the trend of braiding beads into hair. Many were also interested in “Tiger King”, a documentary series about Joe Exotic, a notorious tiger breeder, and his contentious relationship with his competitor, Carol Baskin. Another form of entertainment that gained traction at the beginning of quarantine was the social networking app, TikTok. Many trends took off through this app as well, including whipped coffee. After joining, many were introduced to this drink, which requires only hot water, instant coffee and either milk or creamer, and could be found making it each morning for a quick kickstarter. TikTok also helped launch and better the careers of many, from influencers and bloggers to prominent celebrities, such as Megan Thee Stallion, whose music was largely publicized via the app. Her hit song “Savage”, which was popularized after a dance was created to it, even references Carol Baskin herself!
As the weather inevitably began to warm and the novelty of quarantine started to wear off, people grew eager to take to the beaches, preparing to spend their summer tanning and cooling off in the water. In order to maximize their summer glow, many utilized the various fitness channels that are offered on Youtube. One trainer who was particularly popular amongst teenagers was Chloe Ting, a health and fitness blogger whose channel offered a wide variety of workouts, including a two-week shred workout plan, which encouraged subscribers to step up to the challenge and exhibit consistency with their fitness schedules. When it came to changing looks, it was also not uncommon to find teenagers eager to cut curtain bangs, oftentimes paired with layers, while others opted for the 90s blowout hairstyle instead. In the midst of summer, many could also be found spending their time in their newly assembled home gardens, filled with various fruits and vegetables. Whether it be strawberries, blueberries or tomatoes, people were tending to their plants in order to help them flourish.
As the end of 2020 neared and the cold winter weather began to settle in, it came time for people to retire their summer clothes to the back of their wardrobes. Many took this as an opportunity to experiment with their fashion sense, and in this process brought back many popular 80s garments such as leg warmers, fingerless gloves and leather jackets (a seemingly timeless outerwear option). While some were busy revamping their closets, others were trying out new (or rather, old) hairdos; two late 70s/early 80s hairstyles that swept the internet and made a comeback were the mullet and the shag. Aside from changes to appearances, many could also be found picking up new hobbies to keep them entertained as they sat inside the warmth of their houses, with one of these being crocheting. People learned how to crochet their own hats, bags and even clothes!
While, on the surface, trends may seem insignificant, they provide a sense of identity for some, a way to pass the time during these long days for others and a feeling of unity for all that participate.
Whether it be a hobby or a fashion sense, most trends have been a catalyst for togetherness and solidarity during the pandemic, reminding everyone that they are not alone and that the world is facing this cataclysmic event together.