Trend Spotting Week Four

Social Media for Homework and Recitations

This semester almost all of my classes ask me to use some sort of social media site or interactive "portal" if you will. My Meaning of Info and Technology class has a social website through ning.com where we can network with classmates and are required to participate in daily reading discussions. Since this class is a large lecture, our Ning site acts as an online recitation. My Digital Media Class uses an HTML site to both turn in and display our work. Also, our trend assignment for Branding and Positioning is a perfect example. Because my major is advertising and I am also a TAM student the use of online and social media is fairly expected, however, I have seen this increase occur in other areas of CU academics such as a business systems class. Many classes are asked to create blogs and many others are asked to create a Twitter account. 

This trend is catching on like rapid fire on CU's campus for a few reasons. First, everything is going digital and paperless. It's a rare thing when a teacher even prints a handout anymore. Also, I think teachers like their students to use online tools because they are more dynamic. This blog would be much less interesting if it was turned in in paragraph format on a sheet of white paper. This trend is not going anywhere anytime soon. Its emergence makes perfect sense; it coincides with the progression of technology and the use of media and online in education. I think it will become a standard...until something bigger and better emerges. 

Digital Media Portal

Sunflower Market Lifestyle

Whole Foods (or Whole Paycheck, as you call it) is for your Mom. Its a great store, but lets face it, its too expensive for college kids. In comes Sunflower Market. The "Sunflower Market Lifestyle" trend is about living the chic-eco-healthly lifestyle but for less. I have reason to believe this is a trend because student who shop at Sunflower Market sport their grocery bags all over campus.  CU students have gravitated towards Sunflower Market for a huge reason -- cheaper produce and products, and the grocery store takes the Flatiron Meal Plan. Furthermore, I think Sunflower Market has much more of a local feel than Whole Food, and Boulder-ites dig that. Eating healthy for less is certainly something that is hip right now, and through this trend may fade, Sunflower Market will hold on to some loyal followers. 

Up and Up 

Target brand, no longer. Up and Up, the new BRANDED target brand, are flying off shelves. Ranging from beauty products to cleaning products, Target has re-branded their generic line with a clean, modern, and colorful look. This trend has caught on for a few reasons. First, the economy is pushing brands to change their marketing strategy which means simplifying the packaging, simplifying the message by focusing on quality and low price. While Target had a Target brand before, consumers are attracted to Up and Up because of the sleek new packaging, the claims that is comparable to other leading brands. I think the fact that Up and Up is more clearly comparing it to other brands than the Target brand was before is very effective. They have also picked very desirable brands, for example Jergens Natural Glo which I know a lot of people are loyal to.  A wide range of consumers are buying into the strategy--families and college students alike.  

Boyfriend Blazer

These "boyfriend" trends are interesting. What is it that appeals to college girls about wearing boyfriend style clothes? First, the jeans now the blazer. The boyfriend blazer is a more stylized version of the traditional blazer, for example, the one in my picture has ruched sleeves. As summer is turning into fall, more and more blazers are spotted on CU campus. This trend comes and goes but is usually caught on by students who are more interested in fashion and want a change from the long, open cardigan that has been popular for a few years. The blazer is versatile, and is worn to dress up jeans and to stay away from the sloppier sweatshirt look. For people who embrace this garment for its functionality and style, the trend will live on. But for people who are just following the crowd, this trend will die out and revive again down the road. 

Trend Spotting Week 3

The Learning Channel

Who actually watches The Hills anymore? TLC has taken over the reality show market on CU's campus. Watched primarily by female students (and sometimes their reluctant boyfriends), TLC's major shows are focusing on weddings, parties, and families with multiple children. While this may not obviously seem to resonate with college girls 20-25, TLC's "real reality" is very popular. This trend has emerged because the 

scripted "help me find love" shows are old, and "I'm a hollywood 

socialite reality shows" have run their course. The attraction is that, through edited, TLC shows are real. Shows like "Say Yes to The Dress", "Masters of Reception", "John and Kate Plus 8", and "18 Kids and 

Counting" are still outrageous, but in a more realistic way. 

Studs

Studs are everywhere on the runways for the Fall 

of 2009. Seen mainly on heels in the high fashion world, studs are also appearing on all types of clothing and accessories on CU's campus. Around CU you can see girls sporting purses with studs, black jeans with studs across the back pockets, and also on classic Converse shoes. Inspired by designers, college girls have sought out other fashionable ways to carry on this trend, much like the satchel has adapted on campus to be more practical. What's interesting is that the "studs" trend is inspiring an overall industrial and almost punk rock look. Girls may not sport the look during the day, but out at night liquid leggings and layered tulle skirts add to the "studs" trend. 

DIY Fashion

No, people on campus are not sewing all their clothes. But they are embellshing and turning old things into new. The most common DIY trend that has been around for years is altering CU T-Shirts for football games. This year, college girls ages 18-23 have taken DIY to another level. 

For example, a classic shoe, Converse, has begun to embellish their shoes with st

uds and sequins. (Yes, more studs!) Girls are finding that they can do this themselves to their old Converse shoes. Not only that, but sites like Etsy.com which is essentially an EBay for only home made goods, is now a staple shopping resource for college women. The rise in this trend may be tied to the economy, but moreover is tied to the fact that cheap clothing brands are everywhere. With the new Forever 21 at Flatiron Crossing, every girl is shopping at the same, low priced, stores. If you want something different you have to spend the cash or DIY. This trend will always exsist with DIY enthusiasits, but as for the mainstream female college population this trend will fade fairly shortly. Still, kudos to those who are into making their own stuff. 

Video Postings on Facebook 

Our communication methods have undoubtedly evolved in the past few years. Instant messenger has evolved into iChat and Skype, the way and how much we communicate through social media has grown. Though the usage of both these programs has gone up, more generally college students are interested in video postings on Facebook. Unlike iChat of Skype, video messages are permanently displayed on the recipients Facebook wall and are a form of self expression instead of just a way to communicate. Though mainly a female trend, some males do participate. Girls like the idea of "jazzing" up a normal text Facebok post. Most popular video posting are girls lipsyncing and dancing to a favorite song. Hmm does this relate to Face In Hole and the obsession with ourselves? 

Trend Spotting Week 2

Hand Sanitizer Key Chains

Most college students' key chains consist of bottle openers, maybe a car and house key, and a handmade hemp lanyard. This fall season, many students have added hand sanitizer to their key chains. Though flu season hits us a few times a year, the rise and paranoia around H1N1 virus or Swine Flue has caused a great increase in hand sanitizer use. While hand sanitizer enthusiasists have mainly been germaphobe mothers, college kids have picked up their usage of the simple product due to slews of email warnings from the University administration. This trends growth may be out of both pure necessity and fear of contracting H1N1, but companies like Purell and Victorias Secret have made staying germ free fun by creating colorful hand sanitzer key chains.  

Satchels

Expensive designer bags branded with prestigious logos will never completely go away, but

they are less prevalent this fall with the takeover of satchels. Satchels are smaller bags that have a top handle that can be carried like a briefcase. At CU however, most satchels are worn with their detachable strap that goes over the shoulder, with the strap laying diagonally across the body. Higher quality leather satchels, vintage satchels, and satchels with fringe are making their mark all over CU campus. This trend, which really hangs out only with college girls, has emerged due to it's prevelance in the high fashion world. Whats interesting however, is that the trend has adapted to fit the college lifestyle. By wearing the satchel over the shoulder, you have free hands to carry books, a waterbottle, and most obviously, your cell phone. 

YouTube as a Instructional Tool

We all know and love YouTube, but for so long it has been a place to go for entertainment or just a good laugh. More recently, YouTube has become an instructional source used by students

and professors alike. I learned how to sew a zipper on my sewing machine via a YouTube video. One of my professors taught us how to count binary numbers on your hand via a YouTube video. Worldwide, people have begun to upload videos that are educational and useful instead of just humiliating and funny, and everyone on CU campus has taken advantage of 

that. "YouTube for Education" has caught on because, simply, where else can I conveniently find a video that will teach me how to insert a zipper? We are innately visual and in this era of technology overload we choose to watch a 2 minute video over read a page of instructions. Professors are smart and know that capitalizing on this budding educational resource will compliment their students learning styles and make their lectures more effective. Kudos. 

Face In Hole 

Face in Hole (Faceinhole.com) is the self-loving college kids favorite time waster. Also popular among Facebook addicts, Face In Hole is a website that allows you to upload your photo, your face in particular, into "scenarios" such as art, advertising, magazine covers. Face In Hole is prominent on both high school and college students Facebook's. Often the source of hilarity, students jazz up their profile pictures with digital face peek-a-boos. Sites like these that cure i boredom go up at the beginning of the school year when the weather is still nice and students are antsy to get out of class and go outside. Plus, what 15-20 year old doesn't love to look like 

at themselves in a funny light and share it with the world? 

Trend Spotting Week One

Cell Phones as Security Blankets

Having your cell phone out at all times, whether in use or not, is not "trendy" as in cool but "trendy" as in there are numbers to back it up. I counted. I sat on the steps of Norlin Library between class and for 100 people who walked by 66 of them were either using their phone or had it at the ready.

Though this may not be a new for the 2009-2010 school year, it is a trend that lives prominently on our campus and other campuses alike. Since we must be occupied with some sort of stimulation 24/7, cell phones fill the silent void of walking to class. Also, cell phones act as a social security blanket for college students. If someone walks by who we don't want to say hello to or to stop and have a conversation with, pretend you are mid text message and it is acceptable to pass by with nothing but a nod.

Fantasy Sports

Though I have been roped into a fantasy football league, this trend is mainly a guy thing. Through a made up league, each member drafts a team of professional athletes and monitors the athletes stats, manages the team, and competes against other fantasy teams. Though the world of fantasy sports is not new news, the sport has seen exponential growth in the past year. Fantasy sports started out with football and has ventured to cover everything from golf to nascar. Not only that, but new types of fantasy sports have emerged. For example, a game called "Pick 'Em"  where each week you guess the winner of a future match. The player with the most points at the end of the season wins (either a pot of money or bragging rights). 

The trend of fantasy sports and non traditional fantasy sports (like Pick 'Em) are only going to grow and continue to catch on quickly. Just as guys and girls alike are finding and maintaining friendships on social networking sites, fantasy leagues are now turning into the same resource for guys. With more chat capabilities, daily interactions between opposing teams, and more sports and types of fantasy games offered this online trend isn't slowing down soon. 

Flower's In Her Hair

Not real flowers, though that's pretty too. Flowers are popping up everywhere on girl's headpieces at CU -- headbands, barrettes, flowers of all colors and shapes, flowers with embellishments, you name it. This trend initially stemmed from Blair Waldorf , the infamous New York socialite from the hit show Gossip Girl. But Blair has been sporting flowers or large bows in her hair accessories for a few seasons now, and still this trend persists on our campus. 

Flowers serve as a statement accessory that can dress up any drab outfit. When girls cant afford to update their looks with new clothes or mix and match just wont do, a statement accessory like a bright headband with a few flowers can completely revamp your look. In the same spirit of saving money, flower headbands have turned into a DIY. Traditionally, flowers were worn as a symbol of being single or taken in Hawaiian culture. In modern american culture they are work for weddings or more dressy occasions. Fake flowers on headbands allow girls to use and abuse all the while still being just as pretty. 

Rompers

Rompers are a one piece garment similar to overalls. This infantile fashion emerged in the early 1900's as, well, a children's garment. The romper has since come back as popular lingerie and beachwear in the '60's and now as both a street and high fashion statement.

I believe this trend has emerged again with new found versatility. Unlike a summer dress, the rompers seen around campus are casual enough for class with some sneakers or flat sandals. Like the typical "going out dress" rompers can be dressed up with wedges or heels. It's a double whammy. Not only that, this adult sized play-suit is just that--playful. Created as a roomy outfit that made it easier for babies to play, the playfulness has carried over and in a classy way. Long gone are the tight, denim onesies seen in J.Lo videos. CU's campus is littered with girls in frilly, floral printed rompers trying to get their latest fashion statement out and about before fall begins.