Spring is finally here and keeping up with the latest trends can be a great way to get new ideas to revamp your business. Trends change quickly and it’s important to be on top of all the up and coming styles and aesthetics that will get your business noticed.
Here are the top 10 latest trends that we’ve seen popping up this spring that might just stick around for a while.
1. 90's Nostalgia
Gen Z and Millennials are bringing the 90s back with styles and decor that really captures that classic 90s romcom main character energy. On Etsy we’ve seen a 95% increase in searches for “90s theme party decoration” and on Pinterest searches for 2000s girl are up 235% and summer outfits vintage 90s are up 150%. If you make decor, prints, or clothing you might consider trying out some products that really evoke that 90s and early 2000s feel this year.
2. Ruffles and Lace
Gen Z and Millenials are once again changing trends for the fashion industry. This Spring we’ve noticed a 225% increase in searches for lace top long sleeve and a 365% increase in searches for shimmery dress. And this trend goes for any gender as ruffle shirt men has also seen a 95% increase. Along with rising ideals of self-love and breaking fashion gender norms, the younger generations are all for crushing those gender stigmas and wearing what most brings joy and shows off their authentic self.
3. Weirdcore
4. Paper Art
Paper is setting up to play a major role this year as paper decor and crafts are capturing many people’s hearts and catching their eye. On Pinterest the search term how to make paper rings has risen 1,725%, origami instructions is up 175%, paper animal has grown by 385%, and paper mache furniture is up by 60%. From paper flowers to paper furniture, paper craft products are drawing attention this Spring.
5. Whimsigoth
Whimsigoth is the must-know trending aesthetic this Spring. It has truly made its mark this year with a search term growth rate of a shocking 69,679% on Etsy! This aesthetic features a mix of goth, dark fantasy, and astrology, used to refer to anything from fairy lights, to skulls and black candles, to star covered stand mixers. This gorgeous blend of recently trending aesthetics (such as dark academia, goth, and cottagecore) may just be the next big thing. When designing your new products for this year maybe take some time to search whimsigoth on Pinterest and how you can integrate this key aesthetic into your work.
6. Fringe
You thought it was gone in the roaring 20s, then in the 60s, but the centennial anniversary has brought back this age old trend yet again with new life and new freedom. That’s right, fringe is in! With a 225% increase in searches for fringe dress outfit and a 45% increase in searches for fringe wedding dress, everything from purses to pants to jackets is being covered in those sassy tassels. So go on, let a little fun out, put some tassels on it and swirl your way into this newest, vintage trend.
7. Postpartum Gifting
Baby showers and Christening gifts are moving aside for this new heartfelt trend of postpartum gifting. Millennials are celebrating mothers with specialized gifts and gift baskets as they go through all the joys and challenges of birth, infant care, and the risk of postpartum depression. This trend is growing fast with a rise in popularity of over 800%. Whatever your craft perhaps this year consider designing some gifts and kits for new mothers to enjoy during this major life milestone.
8. Experiential Gifts
As we move forward from Covid lock-down and everyone is starting to get out and about again, a new kind of gifting has arisen called experiential gifts. These gifts focus on the doing rather than receiving. Now, it’s looking like the new way to gift is to give music lessons, craft classes, and experiences, or prefab kits like escape room kits, interactive mysteries, and even things like pour over coffee kits instead of items and trinkets. Experiential gifts focus on lifting the financial burden of experiences, incentivizing activities, and trying new things. So this year, maybe start offering a line of crafting and making kit gifts. Just remember, this year we’re all about taking action and doing.
9. Therapeutic Journaling
As Gen Z and Millennials get more in touch with their feelings and mental health stigmas are on the decline we’re seeing a rising trend for therapeutic journaling. Searches for writing therapy are up 1,840%, expressive art therapy actives is up 120%, journal writing prompts therapy is up 220%, and art journal therapy is up a whopping 3,755%. This means products that support mental health and validating and expressing emotions are going to be popular. In the handmade industry maybe this means designing motivational prints, reflective journals, or mugs with encouraging statements, anything that reflects that positive mental attitude and the sentiments of “it’s okay to not be okay”.
10. Hipstoric Decor
Ever seen vintage built in bookshelves paired with chevron pillows? If you have, you might not be surprised by this trend which pairs the vintage with the modern to make a new, unique look. This year, Boomers and Gen X have been driving this trend, causing an 850% increase in searches for eclectic interior design vintage and a 530% increase in searches for mixing modern and antique furniture. This new maximist aesthetic reflects a desire to mix bold self-expression and personal style with a twist of the classic and nostalgic. If your business makes home decor, perhaps you’ll try catering to this trend, and mix the old and the new in new and interesting ways this year.
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