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As a fellow millennial growing up, don’t tell me you didn’t have one of those plastic stretchy chokers, or that fascinatingly odd toy called a yo-yo. At some point in our childhood, these were among the must-haves but have since vanished without a trace.
Many trends, tendencies and crazes (fancy participating in a flashmob, anyone?!) that were getting all the buzz at one point seem to have had an expiry date.
“What was a huge trend everyone forgot about?” someone asked on Reddit, and the thread soon turned into a walk down memory lane merged with a healthy dose of cringe.
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#2
Whazaaaaaaaaaaaap
sane-ish replied:
One of my aunts still does this. We don't talk.
“There is not really a golden rule to recognize whether something is a trend or a fad,” Lina Survila, the founder of Abstract Stylist magazine and creator of metaverse news newsletter The Wearables Daily, told Bored Panda.
It really depends on the context and every trend. But when talking about fashion, the industry which is largely ruled by tendencies that change every season, many unexpected things happen, Lina argues.
“I think about trends and fads in fashion the same way I think about art - the truth will shine after a long time when we will be able to realize if this thing is really something that will stay within our generation.”
Today, many trends are inevitably influenced by the advancement of technology. From AI to Metaverse and Web3, the way we experience the world around us is rapidly changing. And so are art and fashion. Virtual try-ons, video games, metaverse fashion shows, and NFTs paved the way for a new concept of digital fashion, and experts say there’s no telling what will come next.
For many fleeting trends, the biggest challenge is to remain relevant. The only way to do so is to hold or raise its value for years to come. But how could we know that? Lina says she takes into account a few things before making her decision about a purchase.
“First, it's the people who made it, because people always bring the biggest value. Just think about it, H&M is not a collectible brand, but once they collaborate with a famous designer, it's another story, and those items sell at a higher price than the original sale.”
#7
Farmville.
Sea-Kitchen3779 replied:
People would get real sh**ty when you told them you didn't play and couldn't trade strawberries or some s**t.
#8
Yo-yo's had a big resurgence when I was a kid in the 90s. They were all the rage for like half of one school year, and then they just kind of vanished. It was fun playing with them with my dad for a while, and i did learn a few tricks.
#9
I feel like we, as a society, have collectively decided to just pretend like JNCO pants never existed.
Another important aspect is timing. “Is this thing a copy or something I have never seen in the space? For example, even though IKEA is full of functional minimalistic style designs, Dieter Rams' designs will always sell at a higher price. They will be valuable in time because he was a pioneer in space,” Lina explained.
And the third aspect to think about when making an investment is the item’s technology availability. “Is this built on something that will change fashion or any industry forever?”
Lina gave an example of Prada's iconic nylon bags. “Those were one of the first nylon bags on the market at a time when nylon was huge news in fashion. Nobody used nylon before in that way. I understand cryptocurrencies the same.” The creator of the metaverse newsletter draws a parallel between Ethereum technology and nylon material, saying “it’s new and exciting, and available for others to build off.”
#10
My mom lived in the 80’s as a young adult and according to her it’s 100% aerobics. Worldwide. So huge in fact that you can’t pretty much escape it as it was EVERYWHERE. TVs, electrical appliances and outfits, movies, songs, competitions, HECK a lot of corporate workplace including my mom’s even had a dedicated aerobics routine.
And you’d think gym culture today is already wack enough…..
#14
Jelly shoes.
Wearing 2 different coloured pairs of socks at once, & rolling them down, so that the underneath sock colour showed.
#15
Leg warmers.
SpunkyCrunky replied:
I’m the proud owner of several pairs of leg warmers and I wouldn’t give them up even after death. Those mfs are getting buried with me
#18
Pokémon go. I know some people still play. But it was huge when it first came out.
corobo replied:
Closest we ever got to world peace.
#20
Flash mobs.
SomeDinosaurs replied:
This is a shame. I always thought they were fun!
Apprehensive-Cow6194 replied
Good they’re so cringe.
#24
I feel like the trend of neon clothing and accessories was a huge one that everyone seems to have forgotten about.
Remember when everyone was rocking those neon green snapback hats and neon pink crop tops?
Good times.
I still have some neon pieces in my closet, I might have to bring them back.
#31
Kriss Kross and backwards pants, circa 1990.
Dee_Buttersnaps replied:
They performed on In Living Color and the next day half the boys in my fifth grade class came to school with their clothes on backwards.
#35
The “challenges” like cinammon challenge, the ice bucket challenge, condom challenge, etc.
catchmeifyoucannon added:
Mannequin Challenge.
#36
Heelys.
wheresthecheat replied:
Ugh that was the best 3 weeks before my school banned them. We would have our friends pull us into jousting fights between classes… okay i guess i understand why they were banned but they were still fun as sh**t
#40
Fidget spinners and the dab.
Spank-Those-Hams replied:
30 year old substitute teacher here. I dab sometimes when the kids say something dab worthy, which is either met with cringes or laughter. Either one gives me strength.
#41
The run on Beenie Babies.
They were buying them literally as an investment worth thousands of dollars... I literally saw them the other day being sold at Speedway
#42
That odd period when everything was themed around a mustache.
mx3goose replied:
Girls who got the mustache tattoo on your pointer finger...how's life going?
#43
Pacifier necklaces.
Not sure if this was a international trend though. Early-mid 1990s, small colourful plastic pacifiers that we would trade and exchange.
I wouldnt mind a comeback, they were rather cute.
#46
Harlem Shake.
DeltaForce_Valentine replied:
I loved the Harlem Shake, it was wholesome. Also i feel like my life was happier during that era when it came out.
#50
Vine, old short-video social media.
What do you think ?
GrowingThruConcrete 1 year ago
I was so glad when they went out of style, they kept clogging up my big yellow Dyson😂
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Renegade 1 year ago
Lots of people still use lanyards. Anyone who has to have their work ID on them all day for instance.
Load More Replies...
3 Trash Pandas in a Trenchcoat 1 year ago
Oml my mom went to a Zumba class once a week at the rec center while my brother and I got to hang out at the climbing walls.
Load More Replies...
StrangeOne 1 year ago
My Scene and Bratz dolls. Back in the 80s people were raving about Strawberry Shortcake. I personally preferred and loved Cherry Merry Muffin.
fadedandjaded 1 year ago
does anyone remember those temporary tongue tattoos? i think they really messed up my tongue lol https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1472/8118/products/Tung-Toos-Boy_grande.png?v=1589870547
ConstantlyJon 1 year ago
I’m gonna go with the mcdonalds monopoly game being a much bigger deal.
Illustrious G 1 year ago
Yes, we would go crazy to collect the pieces! And if you were lucky, you might make get a free drink or fry under the tag too!
Load More Replies...
Huck Finn 1 year ago
Painter Jeans. These and corduroy pants were all I wore in the late 90's :x 41zyHRqygl...0ba782.jpg 
Brittney Johnson 1 year ago
Windpants. Adidas shoes. Matching colored shirt with socks. Best combo circa 1995
David Paterson 1 year ago
Are "Matchbox Cars" still a thing? I bought my first one last year because I was feeling nostalgic.
Sasy 1 year ago
This post reminded me of awesome times. Some things that were huge deals for many years. 40 Hour Famine this was a huge deal done by millions to raise money for Ethiopian kids. Record and Cassette "Singles" and some Music magazines used to include plastic thin singles in their mags so you got a 'free song' Walkmans were everything! Rollerblades Game & Watch games like the famous Donkey Kong but others like Octopus on the single screen were awesome.
The Original Bruno 1 year ago (edited)
Democracy. It was really trending globally until the late 90s.
Illustrious G 1 year ago
I like this comment! I don’t know who downvoted you but I gave you an upvote!
Load More Replies... PeridotPlatypus377 1 year ago
I don’t know if everyone remembers this but high school musical used to be a big deal. I never got around to seeing the movie myself but merchandise from it was everywhere at my school.
3 Trash Pandas in a Trenchcoat 1 year ago
Go Noodle anyone? Or is that still around? Also, did y'all have the ABC hit it song/chant, or was my school just really weird?
Joyce Blodgett 1 year ago
When it said "in the past," I didn't realize it meant my late son's past. I thought it meant really the past, like the things in my younger years. None of these things posted here mean a thing to me. Guess I'm getting old faster than I realized.
Illustrious G 1 year ago
Co-Ed Naked t-shirts were HUGE at my HS in the mid 90’s. I tried to explain this to a younger friend of mine recently and was cracking up at how BAD they were yet we still got away with wearing them to school all the time?!?
Jessica Cifelli 1 year ago
Yo-yo balls. They were made of rubber and filled with liquid. They were all over my junior high, but got banned. Also I remember Razor scooters being a big deal
DatBoi Jay 1 year ago
Idk if this was just in my High School but in Senior Year this mobile game called FUN RUN was super big for like a month. Lol
Tristan J 1 year ago
The grumpy old man fad at least requires minimal investment.
Load More Replies...
GrowingThruConcrete 1 year ago
I was so glad when they went out of style, they kept clogging up my big yellow Dyson😂
Load More Replies... Renegade 1 year ago
Lots of people still use lanyards. Anyone who has to have their work ID on them all day for instance.
Load More Replies... 3 Trash Pandas in a Trenchcoat 1 year ago
Oml my mom went to a Zumba class once a week at the rec center while my brother and I got to hang out at the climbing walls.
Load More Replies... StrangeOne 1 year ago
My Scene and Bratz dolls. Back in the 80s people were raving about Strawberry Shortcake. I personally preferred and loved Cherry Merry Muffin.
fadedandjaded 1 year ago
does anyone remember those temporary tongue tattoos? i think they really messed up my tongue lol https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1472/8118/products/Tung-Toos-Boy_grande.png?v=1589870547
ConstantlyJon 1 year ago
I’m gonna go with the mcdonalds monopoly game being a much bigger deal.
Illustrious G 1 year ago
Yes, we would go crazy to collect the pieces! And if you were lucky, you might make get a free drink or fry under the tag too!
Load More Replies... Huck Finn 1 year ago
Painter Jeans. These and corduroy pants were all I wore in the late 90's :x 41zyHRqygl...0ba782.jpg
Brittney Johnson 1 year ago
Windpants. Adidas shoes. Matching colored shirt with socks. Best combo circa 1995
David Paterson 1 year ago
Are "Matchbox Cars" still a thing? I bought my first one last year because I was feeling nostalgic.
Sasy 1 year ago
This post reminded me of awesome times. Some things that were huge deals for many years. 40 Hour Famine this was a huge deal done by millions to raise money for Ethiopian kids. Record and Cassette "Singles" and some Music magazines used to include plastic thin singles in their mags so you got a 'free song' Walkmans were everything! Rollerblades Game & Watch games like the famous Donkey Kong but others like Octopus on the single screen were awesome.
The Original Bruno 1 year ago (edited)
Democracy. It was really trending globally until the late 90s.
Illustrious G 1 year ago
I like this comment! I don’t know who downvoted you but I gave you an upvote!
Load More Replies... PeridotPlatypus377 1 year ago
I don’t know if everyone remembers this but high school musical used to be a big deal. I never got around to seeing the movie myself but merchandise from it was everywhere at my school.
3 Trash Pandas in a Trenchcoat 1 year ago
Go Noodle anyone? Or is that still around? Also, did y'all have the ABC hit it song/chant, or was my school just really weird?
Joyce Blodgett 1 year ago
When it said "in the past," I didn't realize it meant my late son's past. I thought it meant really the past, like the things in my younger years. None of these things posted here mean a thing to me. Guess I'm getting old faster than I realized.
Illustrious G 1 year ago
Co-Ed Naked t-shirts were HUGE at my HS in the mid 90’s. I tried to explain this to a younger friend of mine recently and was cracking up at how BAD they were yet we still got away with wearing them to school all the time?!?
Jessica Cifelli 1 year ago
Yo-yo balls. They were made of rubber and filled with liquid. They were all over my junior high, but got banned. Also I remember Razor scooters being a big deal
DatBoi Jay 1 year ago
Idk if this was just in my High School but in Senior Year this mobile game called FUN RUN was super big for like a month. Lol
Tristan J 1 year ago
The grumpy old man fad at least requires minimal investment.
Load More Replies... Related on Bored Panda
