I was walking to class the other day when I saw it again—the “new” tote bag. Big, bold, and hanging off the shoulder of yet another student. For some people, it’s the perfect size. For others, it’s so big it almost swallows them whole. Yet, they still buy it.
Why? Well, there are a few reasons.
First, to feel among. There’s a quiet comfort in blending into the crowd, in knowing you’re wearing or carrying what “everyone” else is.
Second,though it sounds a little strange, some people buy trends just to collect them. They want to be able to look back and say, I was there, I was in vogue when this was the thing.
And speaking of trends… Let’s talk about the Labubu pandemic. A small, scary-looking doll, nothing different from a regular toy suddenly became the must-have item of the moment. In Nigeria, a Labubu can cost about ₦258,000, yet people go crazy to buy them. Some even cry if they can’t get the exact colour they had pictured in their head.
The crazy part? Its actual value is no different from any other doll. But because it became trendy, people attached meaning to it and with that meaning came an inflated price tag. It wasn’t just a doll anymore; it was a status symbol, a badge of “I’m in.”
That’s the thing with trends, they’re like seasons. They come, they go, and they never ask for your permission to change. What’s “hot” today will be outdated tomorrow. And yet, many of us let trends dictate how we spend our money, even when the purchase doesn’t suit us or our needs.
If you can’t afford it, there’s nothing wrong with being content. Contentment is not the same thing as lack. It's choosing to prioritize what matters most to you. And even if you can afford it, that doesn’t mean you should rush to get it just because it’s the talk of the moment. Take your time. Find something that suits you, fits you, and serves you long after the hype fades.
And let’s not downplay the point of buying designer items. If it’s within your means and you genuinely appreciate the quality, craftsmanship, and longevity, then it can be a worthwhile investment. But even then, the same rule applies: buy it because it’s you, not because it’s “what’s in.”
Because trendy stuff will die with the trends and when it does, another one will rise to take its place. Not that trends should be avoided entirely, but if you must indulge, choose something durable, reusable, and worth keeping.
At the end of the day, real style isn’t about keeping up, it's about standing out in a way that’s true to you.
What are your thoughts about trendy stuff?
I would really love to know
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