In today’s rapidly changing world, new trends emerge and fade as fast as a shooting star. New trends often reflect the societal shifts, technological advancement, and generational preferences of the specific time period. Two new trends capturing today’s global attention capturing today’s global attention are YouTube shorts in the realm of entertainment and Blokecore-look in the fashion district. These trends are closely connected with the dynamic aspects of technology, creativity, and global identity. Understanding their origins, impact, and audience highlights the factors driving into the trendsetting platform and style worldwide.
A trend becomes a “new” concept when it introduces an advancing idea, product, or speciality that breaks out into a widespread popularity within a given demographic or community. However, new trends are not always confined to the interests of the age group so called ‘Gen Z,’ even though they are often the early adopters. They sometimes play an act of a cultural joint that spans across multiple generations and countries with universal aspects, such as spreading entertainment. The speed of trend adoption has accelerated dramatically in the digital era. Globalisation of social media platforms, influencers, and content creators in famous platforms like YouTube and Instagram play crucial roles in spreading trends on a global level to millions.
YouTube Shorts, a feature rolled out globally in 2021, was Google’s response to the surging popularity of TikTok and Instagram Reels. Originating as a direct competitor to other short-form video platforms, YouTube Shorts offered creators the ability to upload 60-seconds long vertically recorded videos with simple editing tools that anyone, even someone who never uploaded a video can use. With YouTube’s existing user base exceeding two billion, the feature quickly integrated into our normal life and became one of the most important factors of people’s entertainment source. It gained a lot of interest from the public by appealing its quick, engaging format compared to long original YouTube videos, which often last ten to fifteen minutes.
The rise of YouTube Shorts exemplifies the digital world’s push toward short, consumable content. Unlike traditional YouTube videos that typically require long engagement to the video, Shorts are tailored for passive consumption, easily shareable, and promoted by algorithms targeted for each individual. A short-form video can go viral overnight, making it an attractive platform for both creators and viewers to follow global trends. While Gen Z takes a huge portion of YouTube Shorts’s audience due to their preference for fast and short engaging video content, the platform does not limit itself just for them. Millennials, also known as Gen X, and even Baby Boomers have been interested in this rapidly growing entertainment platform. For instance, people started to access news by YouTube Shorts, watch football matches by YouTube Shorts, and so on. This ubiquity has acted as a boost for YouTube Shorts to become the trendsetter nowadays.
The Blokecore-look, a rising fashion trend, is characterised by sport uniforms, exaggerated and monochromatic colours. It was inspired by the nostalgic appeal of football culture in the 1990s. At the start, it was characterised to be casual but also sporty and stylish with retro football jerseys, vintage trousers, and polo shirts. The term “bloke core” itself originated from the colloquial British term “bloke,” which means common man, highlighting its casualty. This style resurged from social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where fashion influencers started posting outfits inspired from these styles. Many of the professionals in the fashion field believe that the nostalgia during COVID pandemic led people to mimic retro fashion, and blokecore-look was one of them with comfortness, too.
Blokecore outfits often feature vintage Adidas or Umbro football shirts, paired with overfit joggers and trainers like New Balance or Adidas Samba. Layering sport windbreakers and varsity jackets also adds uniqueness to individuals. Pastel tones, with team logos at the back or upon their left chest, enhance the aesthetic as well. Its popularity can be attributed to its accessibility where second-hand shops and online football wear shops made it easy for customers to purchase these authentic clothwears without driving to store miles away from their houses. The reemergence of blokecore fashion symbolises the modern reinvention of retro style. While it celebrates the 1980s football wears, it blends in with contemporary fashion styles, creating a brand-new hybrid. These features acted as a huge pull factor not only for younger generations but also older sport fashion enthusiasts.
Both YouTube Shorts and the blokecore-look are fundamentally accessible. Shorts are available to anyone who can access the internet anywhere. Same with blokecore-look, anyone with a modest budget can buy football jerseys and trainers. The globalisation of football culture also ensures that this style is attractive world wide, even in places where European football (soccer) is not a major sport, such as the United States. Moreover, technology has played a pivotal role for both trends. YouTube Shorts are powered by personalised algorithms while blokecore revival was powered by TikTok, Instagram and online marketplaces like eBay and Amazon which supply goods globally.
The emergence of YouTube Shorts and the Blokecore-look exemplifies how trends evolve throughout time. Shorts represented the digital era’s needs on connectivity, speed, and Blokecore style reflects on popularity mixed with uniqueness of individuals through fashion. These trends foster inclusivity and adaptability, bridging a strong bond between every age group. Whether seeking uniqueness, comfort, development, or entertainment, these trends are offered for everyone living in today’s world.
By: Sean Gabriel Lee
Write and Win: Participate in Creative writing Contest & International Essay Contest and win fabulous prizes.
