Episode 10: Trendy AF
From crocs to natural wine, I'm dishing on what trends are worth the hype.
Hey!
Happy Easter! This email has nothing to do with the holiday, but I hope you’re having a nice morning filled with pastel colors and assorted chocolates.
Have you ever bought something so incredible you wore it out of the store? That was me with a pair of shoes this week. They were the first thing I bought from a brick-and-mortar retailer in a year, and I loved them instantly. Not to brag, but someone in the next shop I walked into complimented them. What a high! Compliments from a stranger?! Was I that bitch again?!
I felt HOT (or, my feet did). I spent the rest of the week chasing the feeling, and, incidentally, overthinking how to be more hot.
What I thought about this week
Where I landed: looking at clothes on Instagram… *womp.* In what sick, twisted world did I think that would make me feel better? Instead, I became irrationally upset I could no longer pull off a slightly cropped top the way I envisioned.
Sweaty and frustrated, I blamed the top. Why was this still a trend? Suddenly, I was googling the phrase: “how do trends happen?” in a state of absolute crop-top psychosis.
Turns out the answer is existential and absurd (move over, Camus). The fashion site, Mr. Porter, offers an intriguing answer to the question they elegantly pose:
Is there a conspiracy to make your trousers uncool every three years?
While the article describes trends in reference to a life cycle: starting with innovators (trend setters), the early adopters, the early majority, the late majority, and finally, the laggards — I wasn’t entirely satisfied by this explanation. It seems to me every trend is either: a) cyclical b) a response to another trend c) the culmination of every cultural reference in the world happening at the same time or d) nothing at all. I found the concept contradictory and difficult to pin down; I could only liken it to one other cultural phenomena — the human wave:
Both require group participation, exist through contrast, are just people doing the same thing over and over, are completely absurd to partake in, and at the end of the day, mostly pointless. I can’t help but love them.
I thought it would be fun to dish on some current trends. Please enjoy my hot takes ranging from fashion, to food, to wine:
Low Rise Pants
A classic example of the cyclical trend: and a visual representation of the wave — but with fabric, up and down one’s torso (high waisted to low waisted and back again). I don’t know if these are actually coming back into style or not, but it’s a no for me. I’ve been scarred ever since I bent down by my locker in 7th grade wearing a pair of American Eagle low-rise flares and one of my teachers sent me to the principal’s office because, quote, “my butt was showing.” I’ve never recovered. And also, in retrospect, what an awful teacher. Can someone revoke her degree?
Rosé
Not all rosé is created equal. “Saignée” method rosé is my least favorite, because it’s the extra run-off juice from red wine. *Not always,* but more times than not, it’s an afterthought. Additionally, mass produced rosés are often made from low quality fruit. The one above, you can probably miss. While it’s easy to eye roll the “rosé all day” crowd, rosé can be very delicious and well made. Instead of “Whispering Angel,” try (the slightly more expensive, but infinitely better) “Domaine Tempier.”
Astrology
I can get down with Astrology, I don’t care what anyone thinks (such an Aires thing of me to say). Regardless of “believing” in it or not, it’s an entertaining way to view and evaluate our lives, personalities, and decisions.
And it’s Aires season. Zing!
Girl Bosses
I’m thrilled to see this trend die. It’s sooo cringey. Dumbing down and infantilizing a position that has no business being gendered in the first place? Yeah, you can miss me with that!
Corporate Vocabulary
This one we can circle back and align on if I have the bandwidth. I’ll send a cal invite and we can piggy back on strategic initiatives, and draw up a high level overview.
Corporate speak is mind numbing but fascinating. I hate it but I can’t stop trying to fit as much jargon into a single sentence as possible? It’s my personal aspiration to push the envelope to the point of absurdity and see if anyone calls me on it.
For example: Why are we limiting ourselves to circling back? Why not triangle back? Why not rhombus around to the point? Do you think your boss would get mad if you said that in a zoom meeting? I triple dog dare you.
That one TikTok Pasta Recipe
For those who don’t know, this recipe involves three main ingredients: olive oil, tomatoes, and feta cheese, baked in the oven and added to freshly cooked pasta. I was skeptical of the sauce separating, and tomatoes being out of season. While I’m sure this recipe would be better with heirloom summer tomatoes (chef’s mother freaking kiss), using high quality cherry tomatoes did the trick for me. This Washington Post article quieted all my anxieties and made some important clarifications: namely, use Greek Feta that is made from Sheep’s / Goat’s milk and has a high fat content, as well as add a cup of pasta water at the end. This will ensure the sauce binds together and remains creamy, rather than oily. Overall, though, I agree with The Washington Post. This trend is absolutely worth the hype. The pasta slapped. Oscar and I both had seconds (and he doesn’t even like tomatoes). Read the article and make it for yourself, it’s so easy and so good.
Hair
Hair is inherently political. I like it all: middle parted, side parted, natural, with bangs, bald, etc. Hair diversity, y’all.
Unless it’s a “let me speak to your manager” haircut. I can’t support that.
Crocs
I have come full circle on these bad boys. I used to hate them, but now I love them. They’re so ugly they’re cool? And platform crocs? Even better. I feel like this is the pinnacle of modern culture. I can’t explain it. I only feel it in my soul.
Natural Wine
Natural Wine is a trend in direct response to another trend: commercially farmed and over-manipulated wine. It’s ballooned and grown into an all-encompassing term with a super loose definition. While I agree with the original sentiment — keeping production small and controlled, having respect for the earth, and letting the grapes and the high quality farming practices shine — unfortunately there are now brands and companies cashing in without doing the work. I would argue it is harder to make good “natural” wine than otherwise. The practices have to be airtight, because you can’t lean on things like filtering or sulfur to mask flaws. Well-made wine shouldn’t be mousey, and it shouldn’t be shitty. It should be balanced. While there is disagreement on best practices for farming: some grape growers opt for “organic” certifications, while others opt for “biodynamic,” and still others argue for “regenerative,” overall the idea remains consistent.
My take? Natural wine and conventional wine can both be exciting and over-hyped at the same time. My advice? Do your research. Drink the bottle yourself. And speaking of drinking…
What I drank this week
Domaine de la Petite Soeur, ‘Kumu’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Loire Valley, France 2018 $20ish
This is like no Cabernet Sauvignon I’ve ever had. It’s effervescent and fun. Do yourself a favor and drink this with the viral feta and tomato pasta. That’s all.
San Fereolo, “Austri” Rosso Piedmont, Italy 2012 $40ish
This bottle is fire (get it? like the label? I’m tired). SommSelect describes it better than I can here. The talking points: made from Barbera (& Nebbiolo) grapes, the wine hails from Piedmont, Italy and is made by badass women winemaker Nicoletta Bocca. It is certified organic and bio-dynamic. It’s a dark poem of a wine that leaves your senses lingering with complex tastes and smells that evolve as time passes.
What I liked this week
“The Manufactured Moral Panic of a Free Krispy Kreme Doughnut” a timely Roxanne Gay piece about “good” vs. “bad” food. This is behind a paywall, but worth it.
The strange journey of ‘cancel,’ from a Black-culture punchline to a White-grievance watchword in The Washington Post.
This throw-back picture of Camille my friend sent me:
Another risotto Oscar and I tried. This time, featuring porcini mushrooms.
This tweet:
Cows!!!
“Broke-ness is temporary but being lavish is forever (it’s a 30 second video).”
That’s all I’ve got for you. I’ll be taking the next week off because my birthday is this Wednesday, April 7th.
Take care of yourselves! Have a drink for me. See you in two weeks.
Ciao bellas!!! xoxo
Kate
Definitely using triangle back in my next zoom class.
I’m putting together a trends panel for a conference. Definitely love your take on the topic. “What is a trend?” is a way more interesting question than “what is trendy.”