I am a child of the ’80s. Which means one thing. Well actually, it means several. It means leg warmers, side ponytails, splatter painted jeans (rolled up at least twice) slap bracelets and scrunchies, crimpers, and Saved By The Bell.
And remmber Punky? Back then Punky Brewster was my hero–her and her adorable side kick Cherie –they were the bomb.com.
I really thought I couldn’t live without my leather jacket and jellie shoes.
And I’m not even going to try and hide the fact that I owned a pair of purple parachute MC Hammer pants.
Yes that’s right, I was 2 legit. 2 legit 2 quit. . But all those things did eventually quit and exit right stage, thankfully so (except for Punky–I still love her.) Anyhow, my point is that all those things were just fads.
And according to Wikipedia: A fad is any form of behavior that develops among a large population and is collectively followed with enthusiasm for some period, generally as a result of the behavior’s being perceived as novel in some way. A fad is said to “catch on” when the number of people adopting it begins to increase rapidly. The behavior will normally fade quickly once the perception of novelty is gone.
So I ask you, is it me or have cupcakes and food trucks EXPLODED here in the District over the last year? But are they FAD or FOREVER? And as much as I think that the cupcakes at Georgetown Cupcake (or better known as “DC Cupcakes” to the tourists who come in flocks taking pictures of the store like it was the Taj Majal or something) are superb, I think to myself are people really waiting in a line that long for (insert the F-bomb) cupcake?
The list of cupcake stores here in DC goes on for days. Hello Cupcake is opening a new storefront on Barracks Row this week–so this trend/fad is clearly not slowing down.
And I’m not against cupcakes or baked goods at all . Growing up I was all about the Twinkies and Ho Ho’s. But I think I am just becoming a little anti-cupcake because it feels like its becoming so trendy and such a fad. But will these perfect looking pastry shops stay the course and take us all the way through to another decade? Only time will tell I suppose. Two years ago I had never even heard of a Food Truck (or think how the concept would even ever work) Meals on Wheels was something to help elderly people and a way for me to volunteer my time. But Food Trucks are all over the map now–literally.
Now I know that these are more business trends more then anything. But it is interesting how things become popular and either stay the course, make a comeback, or vanish into the horizon never to be seen again. What other fads or trends to you love/hate? Leave us a comment.
“Put your feet in good hands.”
Vanessa Camozzi is the founder of DC on Heels.
I have to say, I LOVE both the cupcake trend (attributed to Sex & the City actually) and the Food Truck trend (which is just cool). My sister and I did an informal non-scientific survey of 4 DC Cupcakeries and determined that in our opinion, Georgetown Cupcakes is the best. I use them for lots of my events. However, they are only worth waiting in that line 1 time (at either their old or new location). After that, it is worth it to call the day before by 8pm, place your order, so that you can go right to front of the line and just do a pick up. But, out of town guests seem to find standing in that line an “experience.” More power to them. I’m over it.