Every generation must learn clogs are ugly

Years ago, while living in Atlanta, my twenty-something roomie came bursting into our apartment, dying to show me her fabulous new shoes. When I looked down, I was confused. Those are clogs. Those are UGLY. Everyone knows that.

And then it occurred to me: with a 10-year age difference between us, she had not yet learned. Her generation was still embracing the comfort of clogs and pretending that these shoes were fabulous and hip because their cool friends told them so. They had not yet experienced the moment when you look down and truly see your cool item for what it is… awful. You are the Emperor and you wish your new clothes were invisible.

That’s you, blindly following a trend, without stopping to think about it and use your own judgment.

Most trends get started because there’s something truly great or unique that people want to adopt or imitate—and they catch on because they have a real value. But sometimes an influencer puts one out there, promotes the heck out of it or encourages the IT people to adopt it, and a bad trend begins.

We see more trends these days than ever; the internet has now turned this into its own verb. Every website lets us know what is “trending” at the moment. Trends take us along, sweeping us up on the bandwagon of belonging. “This must be wonderful. All these people like it. All these people can't be wrong, can they?”

Consider the following if you think I’m wrong:  Braiding Bars, Planking, Reality shows about rich people who act like poor Trailer people, leggings as pants, socks with sandals (Okay, that’s a plant but someonecould try to slide that one in.).

Step back from the next trend you see and really look at it. What are they trying to sell? Does it have any value? Is it really a good idea? Or is it Honey Boo Boo , disguised as entertainment?

The article, “25 Trends that People Will Think are Stupid in 20 Years,” summed it up nicely:
 
Subject: Gourmet Fast-food
What Your Son Will Say: “Did that stuff really fool you, Dad? “
You: “No, son, we fooled ourselves.”