Have you heard G-Eazy’s “Tumblr Girls” featuring Christoph Andersson popping up on social media lately? Its resurfacing has been a nostalgic throwback to the 2010s, especially the Tumblr era. Thinking back, it seems like this era defined the 2010s. From everyone wearing Brandy Melville alien t-shirts to aspiring to be like King Kylie, those years were packed with trends. These are some of my favorite trends from the 2010s that still stick with me today; let’s revisit a few of the classics!
Handwritten Quotes
A trend I vividly remember involves people writing down random quotes and holding them up to the camera; seemingly, all for the aesthetics. The quotes ranged from motivational phrases to lines from books or movies — even simple expressions like “EW” or “meh.” What made these posts stand out were the accompanying decorations, such as the flourishes, doodles, and colorful accents. The aesthetically pleasing details made them instant hits for reposting on platforms like Tumblr and Facebook.
Statement Hats with Bold Slogans and Logos
Celebrities like Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, and Ariana Grande were frequently seen in hats featuring bold slogans and logos (e.g. the iconic brand, Obey). Other popular slogans like “I love haters” and “Bad hair day” were also in high demand. Logos from bands like Nirvana, 5 Seconds of Summer, and sports teams like the Yankees and Dodgers were common too. These statement pieces were showcased all over social media, often in selfies. This trend was a defining part of the “swag” era, when wearing statement hats was seen as a cool fashionable choice.
The Holographic Aesthetic
If you stumbled upon a puddle of oil at the gas station or came across a CD, it was the perfect opportunity to capture a photo for the holographic aesthetic trend! While it’s unclear who started this trend in 2015, stores began selling holographic skirts, backpacks, windbreakers, and nearly every other article of clothing you can imagine. Brands like Adidas even introduced holographic Superstar shoes, which quickly gained popularity. People also embraced the holographic aesthetic through nail polish and hair dye. Anything holographic was sure to get tons of likes on social media.
Wholesome Memes
This trend started around 2017 and ended by 2020. Not familiar with wholesome memes? They involved cute or funny images with heart emojis (in various colors), sparkles, and heartwarming phrases. These edited images often featured adorable fictional characters, animals, well-known celebrities, and more. Kermit the Frog memes were particularly popular at the time; many people used them as reactions to friends or just to spread some positivity online.
Stickers on Hydro Flasks
In 2018, owning a Hydro Flask was like having a Stanley Cup in 2024. Not only did it make people feel cool, but for girls, it was all about the VSCO vibe. The real fun came from putting stickers on the water bottle; they were more than just decoration — they were a way to show off your personality and were considered top-tier style. Taking a picture of your Hydro Flask became a part of the aesthetic itself.
As mentioned earlier, these are just a few trends from the 2010s. Now, the question is: can they make a comeback in today’s world?