In a world that is increasingly online, consumerism has reached an all-time high due to internet-crazed trends and an influx in online services. Products peddled by influencers come in and out of trend faster than ever, as the internet puts an overwhelming emphasis on “aesthetics” over personal and timeless style. Terms like “Amazon must-haves” and “old-money aesthetic” compel us to purchase unnecessary and unsustainable items. All because influencers — that are paid to sell these products — are doing everything in their power to make us believe that we just have to have the “next best thing.” It’s fun to buy trending products and get excited about new releases, especially if you’re going to continuously use them for years to come. However, it might be necessary to discuss the pitfalls of excessive buying and the need to have everything, not to mention in every color.
The craze surrounding the Stanley Cup is just one example of how extreme internet trends have become. Buying a cute and colorful water bottle that you bring everywhere with you and, of course, use to stay hydrated, isn’t the issue. But the bulk-buying of every color and kind because of an internet trend, quickly becomes problematic.
Recently, I came across a video, one that I’m sure many of you have seen while scrolling, of people waiting around shelves in department stores to pick up the new colorway of the Stanley Cup. This prompted the store to impose a hard limit on how many Stanleys each person could purchase. The cups were gone in just under two minutes, and I’m sure a great number of them were bought in order to be sold at an even greater price.
The value that the internet puts on material items, and the way that it drives people to respond, is nothing short of apocalyptic. Furthermore, yet another doomed water bottle video popped up shortly after. A person rating their collection of water bottles described the Stanley as their “inside water bottle”, because the straw and obscenely large handle make it difficult to carry around to their everyday activities. It made me wonder if any old cup they already own might do the trick, or maybe, if they dared, they could bring their “outside water bottle”... in.
I myself have been victim to trends and have definitely had streaks of leaving a negative environmental impact because of the nearly addictive nature of online shopping, and I don’t blame anyone for purchasing something they find cute, trending or not. However, the larger issue here is the effect on the minds of the public and the worldly impact this kind of consumerism will have. Children are being exposed to the internet earlier than ever, revealing the long term effects of sneaky advertisements and product placement. Children who haven’t even reached double digits are making “Get Ready With Me” videos, shopping for serums at Sephora, and buying every last product that trends on TikTok.
This phenomenon isn’t just a new generation’s version of Claire’s and Justice, but a modern crisis that needs to be addressed.
Because they are on the same exact apps as older people, kids are being subjected to everything trending in the adult world, as well as discourse that they really shouldn’t be involved in. What they find cool and fun is now being influenced by everything they see online, and because they’re playing with ipads instead of legos, their interests and hobbies begin to mix with those of people wildly outside of their age group. The reality that the internet is creating seems to be increasingly valuing purchasing new items almost every week, and the fact that we can already see that reflected in younger generations, should be concerning.
Sadly, purchasing fleeting popular items also means that people are discarding old or used items at a higher rate. Closets are meant to be recycled and reused for as long as possible, and I believe that the dramatic emphasis that online communities place on how you are perceived contributes wildly to an insane level of overconsumption. Nowadays, there is so much importance on how you are viewed from an outside perspective over who you actually are. Not everything you own needs to fit into one category and have a seemingly “effortless” flow. Reusing and recycling what you already have is normal and healthy, not to mention better for the environment. Perusing thrift stores and other second-hand options before resorting to another online purchase is just what we need to combat the rise of The Trend. Clothes hold personality, stories, and experiences, and curating a closet that you will love for years is vital.
Although it can be hard to keep yourself from giving in to the next big thing, making conscious choices about everyday purchases and avoiding personal overconsumption can, and will, leave a more positive impact. Not bulk-buying or throwing out clothes because of a trend, buying what you know you'll love and use, as well as shopping sustainably, will all help cleanse the environmental footprint you leave behind. Before buying something like a Stanley Cup, ask yourself if the neglected Hydro Flask in your cabinet might just serve the same purpose. Making careful and smart purchases is just what the individual needs to do to help challenge the popular consumerism mindset, and hopefully works towards valuing second-hand shopping and the continuous recycling of what you already own.