TREND WATCH: WHAT’S NEW THIS SPRING
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 7 latest trends that we’ve seen popping up this spring that might just stick around for a while.
1. 90s 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. Weirdcore: Mushrooms, Fantasy, and Everything Odd
Weirdcore might just be the hot new aesthetic amongst Gen Z and Millenials. With a 540% increase for the search term weirdcore bedroom and a 695% growth for the term funky house decor, the younger generations are getting down with the odd and unusual this year. Whatever you create maybe this year you go a bit odder, add some mushrooms to your prints, bring in those fantasy feels. After the claustrophobia of the pandemic the young generations are set to make their houses feel less domestic, decking out their homes in bold colors, odd angles, and maximalist vibes.
3. 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.
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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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”.