Trends are constantly reshaping our culture, and with the rise of digital media, this cycle has been thrown into overdrive creating a concept I find incredibly fascinating: micro vs macro trends. Micro trends are smaller, more niche trends that fall almost as quickly as they rise, whereas macro trends have a much larger and longer-lasting impact on society. Here are my favorite recent examples of both. 

 Holistic Self-Care

Holistic self-care is a major trend in the beauty world that shows no signs of aging . Its core philosophy is linking inner wellness directly to outward appearance. This involves nurturing your body through proper nutrition, quality sleep, and stress management, all to improve outward appearance. This overarching idea has, in turn, paved the way for numerous micro-trends, like the clean girl look.  

My favorite of these is “eating your skincare.” To be clear, this doesn’t mean literally consuming your favorite serums! Instead, it’s about eating foods known for their positive effects on the skin. We’ve seen many TikTokers film *mukbang-style videos featuring plates carefully selected for their skincare benefits. For example, salmon is highlighted for its moisturizing omega-3s, and leafy greens like spinach are featured for their richness in vitamins and antioxidants such as beta-carotene, which promotes cellular renewal and a glowy complexion. While theoretically sound, I predict this trend will fade and be quickly replaced by something new, much like it replaced the viral “Tiffani plates.” 

Blue Jeans

Blue jeans have been popular ever since Levi Strauss invented them in 1873 and, let’s be honest, they will never go out of style. No matter what generation you’re from or what trends you may decide to follow, you have probably worn a pair of blue jeans in your life. They are one of the most versatile pieces of clothing as they can be dressed up or down and worn with almost anything. However, the cut of the jean is where we get some micro-trends to take a look at.  

Barrel jeans are one of the most talked-about cuts right now, and for good reason. They are defined by their unique, curved shape: wide through the hip and thigh, then dramatically tapered and cropped at the ankle. This creates an exaggerated, rounded silhouette. This bold shape has sparked a huge debate in the fashion world, leaving no middle ground. People either think they are super cute or completely ugly. Worn by many fashion-forward individuals and street-style gurus, these jeans have enjoyed a popular run, but their extreme silhouette makes them risky. Given how quickly the denim cycle turns, I definitely predict them being overshadowed by the next big cut very, very soon. 

The Concept of Fitting into a “Core”  

Putting yourself into a box has been around forever. Older generations might have considered themselves a “jock,” “goth,” “nerd,” or “band kid,” grouped together by similar personalities and styles. This desire to be classified is a natural human impulse, and I don’t think it will ever go away. However, Gen Z has gone rogue with this concept. 

We now have micro-aesthetics that are so hyper-specific, the list feels infinite: Barbie-core, Mob Wife-core, Bella Swan-core, Coquette-core, Brat Summer-core, Tomato Girl Summer-core, Coastal Grandma-core… I mean, the list genuinely goes on and on. Here are some of my personal favorite micro-aesthetics that perfectly capture this trend of niche self-classification. 

For example, cottage-core is more than just long, flowy dresses; it’s a lifestyle of romanticizing living in a cottage in the woods.

Bella Swan-core is inspired from Twilight’s heroine, the key is an oversaturated forest filter that makes everything as moody as the movie. 

Lastly, Coquette-core is hyperfeminine with pastel colors and bows everywhere, with Lana Del ray playing in the background while doing dainty doll makeup. 

Social media has influenced how quickly trends are recycled, but some things remain stronger than barrel jeans and eating your skincare.