The trend
The latest TikTok and Instagram trend involves describing everyday habits, rituals or achievements as chic (or well, kinda). From ‘kinda chic to read’ to ‘kinda chic to romanticise grocery shopping’ and given how effortlessly the phrase fits almost any situation, it’s become an easy trend for anyone to participate in. Unsurprisingly, the trend has been quickly embraced by brands and celebrities alike.
What really is chic?
As the word “chic” is appearing more and more frequently throughout social media content lately, the true meaning is becoming easily lost. What once was used strictly to describe someone or something as “stylish, fashionable, or elegant”, is now being used to describe the most mundane, relatable everyday experiences. But is the new definition such a bad thing?
With social media being dominated by over-consumption and hyper-curated perfection, embracing a more real view of life is refreshing. By re-branding the ordinary as “chic,” we can find joy in the authentic realities of daily living rather than constantly chasing unattainable ideals.
Death of the trend cycle
In the same way fast fashion has sparked debate over the lifespan of clothing trends, will social media trends suffer a similar fate? The relentless pressure on creators and brands to remain relevant has driven the need to keep up with trends before users lose interest. As a result, algorithms flood our feeds with repetitive, “copy and paste” content that dilutes original creativity.
As micro-trends peak and die out at an unprecedented pace, audience engagement turns into indifference. Are we heading toward ultimate social media trend fatigue, where constant novelty loses all meaning?
Niamh Curley
Niamh is a Digital Account Executive with the Digital Marketing team at Fuzion.
