10 Modern-Day Trends That Historians Will Laugh at in the Future
Some of today's biggest trends might seem ridiculous in the future.
- Daisy Montero
- 3 min read
Some trends seem normal now, but the future might tell a different story. Historians might laugh at ripped jeans that cost a fortune or social media challenges that made no sense. It is only a matter of time before these fads become running jokes.
1. Fake Pockets in Women’s Clothing
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Future historians might be baffled by the fact that women’s clothing had fake pockets while men enjoyed full functionality. The sheer inconvenience of decorative pockets will be hard to justify in the future. They may wonder why we did not just demand better fashion choices.
2. Subscription for Everything
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From streaming services to toothbrushes, modern life is built on subscriptions. Future generations might find it amusing that people paid monthly for things they could buy once. The idea of “owning nothing” might seem more like a dystopian joke than a business model.
3. Influencer Culture
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The idea that people built their entire careers around taking selfies and product placements may leave future historians laughing. They might question how society values internet fame over real-world skills. The concept of chasing “likes” for a living could be seen as the strangest profession of the 21st century.
4. Designer Ripped and Dirty Clothes
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Paying a premium for clothes that look worn out and dirty will likely confuse future generations. They might wonder why people spent money on pre-destroyed fashion instead of letting time do the work naturally. This trend could become one of this generation’s most absurd fashion choices.
5. Over-the-Top Food Trends
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Future historians might laugh at how people turned basic meals into Instagram spectacles. Overloaded milkshakes, rainbow-colored everything, and gold-covered burgers will seem like bizarre culinary experiments. They may wonder if anyone actually enjoyed eating them or just wanted the perfect photo.
6. Extreme Cosmetic Procedures for Trends
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The rise of cosmetic procedures based on short-lived trends could make future generations shake their heads. Lip fillers, exaggerated eyebrows, and “snatched” jawlines might seem unnecessary. They may find it funny that people permanently altered their faces to fit a passing aesthetic.
7. Social Media Challenges
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The idea of people eating laundry pods, dancing in public, or attempting dangerous stunts for views might be laughable in the future. Historians could struggle to understand why people risked their dignity and safety for internet fame. The phrase, “Do it for the views,” may become a running joke.
8. Ultra-Long Fake Nails
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Future fashion experts may question how anyone functioned with nails longer than their fingers. Typing, cooking, and even basic tasks seemed nearly impossible with claw-like extensions. This trend could be remembered as a moment when beauty won over practically.
9. Face Filters and AI Beauty Editing
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Future generations may find it amusing that people used technology to create a version of themselves that did not exist. Digital face-smoothing, AI-generated beauty, and unrealistic filters may be seen as a sign of extreme vanity. Historians might wonder why people were obsessed with looking perfect online but not in real life.
10. Paying for Blue Checkmarks
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The fact that people once paid to be “verified” on social media could be one of the biggest jokes of the future. It would be hard to understand why internet status symbols were so valuable. The idea of buying credibility may sound just as absurd as buying a fake trophy.