Opinion by NatalieElse

This school year was one of many trends and the Marian hallways caught a glimpse of just a few. Owala water bottles and Adidas Sambas have arguably become must-haves in girls’ everyday looks. While some trends shone brightly within our beloved halls, others took the pop culture world by storm. 

We all know how quickly trends can come and go. But, there are some that stick around long enough to make us wonder if they are here for good or if they will simply fade with time and ever-changing algorithms.  I am going to be taking a look at some of the biggest trends this year and either giving them my personal stamp of approval or pointing out why they just might be another passing fad.

Cheetah Print.  Pants, sweatshirts, fuzzy coats, shoes, hair clips and keychains have recently been consumed by cheetah print and let me just say, I am here for it. What was once seen as over-the-top or a bold choice is now a chic and effortlessly-cool essential for a girls night out or a special occasion. As much as I wanted to leave some Y2K trends in the past, this one can definitely stay for years to come. The verdict is in and I am choosing to love this one. 

Adidas Sambas. These sporty sneakers have become a fashion staple in 2025 and are hands-down the coolest. I think what makes these shoes so fun is that they come in many color combinations, making them easy to pair with almost any outfit. These retro tennis shoes are incredibly popular within our own halls, but they have also had their big moment with celebs like Kendall Jenner and Kaia Gerber. Whether you are dressing them up or wearing them with a pair of baggy sweats, Adidas Sambas are effective, sleek and stylish. Another stamp of approval. 

Chunky Jewelry. Less is more no longer exists with the rise of chunky rings, necklaces and bracelets. Although I do appreciate dainty jewelry, I have recently come to love jewelry that makes a statement. Oversized hoops, thick gold bangles and clunky rings add so much personality and confidence to an outfit that makes this new trend hard not to love. 

Blow Outs and Slick Backs. The 90’s supermodel hair has revived its role in this last year, thanks to the Dyson Airwrap, a wand that turns at-home styling into a full-blown (no pun intended) salon experience. There is something so elegant, fabulous and put-together about this hairstyle. While big, bouncy hair had its moment, so did gelled slick-backs, a hairstyle that magically turned 3 days of not washing your hair into an effortless, chic look. These trendy hairstyles receive my stamp of approval. 

Water Bottle Craze. Okay, it’s time to address the elephant in the room and by elephant, I mean the jumbo-sized water bottles that everyone, including myself,  carries around. I feel like all of us are a little guilty of this one. Stanleys, Hydro Flasks and recently, Owalas, have turned water bottles into full-on accessories. Drinking water from a regular plastic bottle will deem you “low-effort” nowadays and practicality has thrown itself out the window. I hope, with time, this money-consuming trend fades out.

Sephora Kids. We have all witnessed them or come across their get-ready-with-me videos where they use more products than we could ever even imagine. While I found creativity in making slime, pre-teens have found creativity through the art of a perfectly-sculpted brow or a flawless skincare routine. Using retinol cream at the age of 12 has become the newest thing and I just feel like it promotes superficiality. This new trend also shows kids that they need to look a certain way which is so damaging for young, developing minds. Kids are allowed to love makeup, but the obsession with having so many products is harmful to their self-esteems. So, this one is a no.  

The Rise of AI Generated Content. Spotify knows your mood before you do, marketing strategies no longer require creative thinking and celebrities’ voices are being manipulated all because of the rise of AI content. I do believe that AI can be helpful at times, but the rate at which it is taking over is honestly scary. I think this is the first trend that I am pretty undecided on, so it’s up to you to determine if AI content should continue into the future or if it is simply too risky for something non-human to have so much control. 

Whether they stayed inside our school halls or outside in the pop culture world, this year was jam-packed with trends. It is important to remember though that no matter what the latest trend is, doing what’s best for you never goes out of style.