๐Does anyone remember hydroflasks and scrunchies? ๐
The subculture of young upper middle class girls who had a hydro flask covered in stickers, oversized hoodies, beach fashion and stickers about saving the turtle. They were called VSCO girls and they unironically promoted environmental sustainability better than most movements. Those water bottles are still used today, large hoodies and scrunchies have not gone out of fashion. Although to become a VSCO girl, you needed to have material objects, they were not repeatedly replaced because it went against the core principle of their identity. Their values persisted because they created a major trend that persisted for years, and even if the idea itself is no longer popular, the items bought are still being used.
My vision for a positive future includes emulating the same idea behind VSCO girls. VSCO girls promoted sustainability and long term use items that the average person has to invest financially in. This trend intervenes and goes against the current praxis of micro-trends and repeated consumption.
What a fun read! I have never thought about the VSCO girls' movement in this way before, and it really made me stop and think about it. While this movement required some money to be spent on materialistic items, the results they achieved were a big step towards a positive future. I find it fascinating, that a large majority of corporations that used plastic straws, switched over to paper straws, just because some girls on VSCO started the movement to save the turtles.
I found this super interesting to read! Although the VSCO Girl trend meant you have to buy material items, they had an important principle in creating a sustainable world. However, with how trends tend to spiral into overconsumption, I just wish that we had a better way of showing that weโre trendy without buying items.
I love the idea of creating an identity that cements practices that are sustainable and turns them into something desirable. In a space that is cyclical, it can have a long-standing effect and be a good introduction to many about sustainability.
I love this! What an engaging and unique way to bring up this idea! This is a great way to reach out to one of the key demographics that needs to understand the detrimental effects of fast fashion: Teenagers/Young Adults! I have no doubt they are one of the biggest consumers of fast fashion. As it may sounds a little funny to say, VSCO girls had the right idea!