Well, America has a new president. The 2024 election results have been interpreted in a myriad of ways—was it the price of eggs? Canadian sovereignty? The Gulf of Mexico daring to not be named the Gulf of America? Or was it a secret fourth thing—Americans really wanting the late 2010s back.
Since the latter is probably true, this humble author would like to propose some of her favorite late 2010s trends that she would like to see make a comeback. After all, who doesn’t want to relive middle school?
BuzzFeed
We simply cannot start this listicle without shouting out the Almighty Mother of Listicles, BuzzFeed. Okay, sure, pretty much all of BuzzFeed’s most popular employees left and made YouTube videos about how toxic their work environment was. But what about my God-given First Amendment right to take a personality quiz that tells me which character from a 90s sitcom that aired on a day ending in -y I am? Won’t someone think of the “Top 10 Moments from the 2004 Early Morning Emmy Awards Red Carpet Pre-Show Pre-Brunch You Forgot About”-sized hole in my heart since BuzzFeed fell off?
TikTok’s banned. Oh wait, it’s back. Oh wait, it might get banned again in a few months. How about we forget all of this back-and-forth and just go back to square one—TikTok OG, a.k.a. Musical.ly. I’ll refresh your memory—on Musical.ly, youths recorded videos of themselves lip-syncing and performing elaborate hand choreography. No “What’s the spice level of this book?” No bringing the boom. No shifting realities so you can attend Hogwarts and date Draco Malfoy. No horny Willy Wonka impersonators. No “unalived.” Just you, a filter, and an audio. Or, in one instance, just a boy, his dying grandfather, and a Justin Bieber song.
VSCO
While we’re on the subject of bygone social media apps, how about an app that was purely vibes? On VSCO, there was no comment section—there was just liking and reposting. You could repost anything. Cute promposals. “You want to know who’s beautiful? Go back and read the first word.” Gossip Girl screencaps. Photos of Harry Styles. All of your popular high school classmates’ posts in a misguided attempt to gain their approval. It was the platonic ideal of a social media platform.
VSCO Girls
If we bring back VSCO, we also have to bring back VSCO girls, of course! Stanley Cups—the water bottle, not the NHL trophy—are too big to fit in your average backpack side pouch. You know what water bottle you didn’t have to carry around? The Hydro Flask. And you didn’t have to worry about getting yours mixed up with someone else’s (even though anyone who was anyone had one) because you customized it with Brandy Melville stickers! Bonus points if yours had a reusable straw and a sticker that said “Save the Turtles!” Be sure to complete the look with an oversized T-shirt and scrunchies.
Tattoo Chokers
The year is 2017, and you’re headed to a twenty øne piløts concert. In order to dress appropriately for a “Heavydirtysoul” mosh pit, throw on a band T-shirt, eyeliner, Converse sneakers…wait, something’s missing. Ah, how could you forget! Your tattoo choker! Chokers had a moment circa 2016/2017, and the tattoo choker—stretchy with a wavy lattice pattern—reigned supreme. If you wanted to signal to everyone at the seventh grade dance that you knew all the words to “Welcome to the Black Parade,” the tattoo choker had your back.
Starbucks Unicorn Frappuccino
Who doesn’t love getting themselves a little treat? Well, how about a big drink? The viral Unicorn Frappuccino was a mix of mango syrup, vanilla syrup, white chocolate mango syrup, various food colorings, and one-and-a-half times the recommended daily amount of sugar. The ingredients all came together in Instagram-ready swirls of pink and blue. Did it taste good? If memory serves…no. But did it look good? Absolutely.
The Art Hoe Aesthetic
Give me checkered Vans or give me death. (Okay, maybe I want checkered Vans to be trendy again because I still wear them regularly.) I’ve been using the same tote bags for nearly three years now and they’re getting worn out. Plus, the straps are always sliding off my shoulder! You know what was still cute but maybe a little more handy? A Fjallraven Kanken backpack.
Over-The-Top Makeup
Down with the “clean girl” aesthetic. Let’s bring back makeup maximalism. I’m talking block eyebrows. I’m talking highlighter. I’m talking contour. I’m talking capital-B Bold eyeshadow colors. Bring back the full-face BEAT! James Charles, it’s time to return to your roots.
After taking a stroll down memory lane, this pop culture aficionado is convinced that the late 2010s were actually our apex. The last time we were…great. Perhaps that’s what people mean when they say “Make America Great Again”—they want to watch Avengers: Infinity War in theaters for the first time again.
Grace Copps is a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences majoring in Government and minoring in Journalism and Justice and Peace Studies. She is the Managing Editor for the INDY. This is her first Sass piece and she would say don’t laugh, but unfortunately that’s kind of the point.
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