The Woes of Trendiness

I despise trendiness. The meaning of the word has a built-in illegitimacy to it that I can’t stand. It takes functionality out of certain equations. I cannot say honestly that I have never been prone to its catching lure. Again, the term is dishonest. The idea is veiled in a shroud of mystery regarding its motives and definition.
What makes something “trendy”? How does something fall from its trendiness throne? Why do we even care what other people deem to be “in”? Hell, a lot of the time these things are so fleeting that in the grand scheme of things they are blip on the radar. I believe trendiness stems from the earliest days of TV and movies. They were the first visual mass media that was so easily seen by the entire world. Unknowingly they were determinging the likes and dislikes of many many people in the process. The aspects of dress, cars, and even ideals. These things have only been magnified steadily in the last 50 years. Prior to that you could probably trace trendiness back to royalty in Euorpe. Everyone wanted to be like the Queen or King. They were seen as the epitome of social virtues and everything else that went along with those things.
Trendiness is basically an extension of a human’s subconscious need to conform. Sure, there are all types of people, many of which, may even be individuals. For the most part people who think that they are automonous for all practical purposes are not. Their choices of what to wear, what to drive or what to think are dictated or influenced directly by mass media and culture. I don’t think this is escapable in today’s world, unless you live under a rock or 3rd world country (n.b. have you ever known anyone to actually live under a rock? Does the phrases come from caveman days where people could still live under rock?)
We care about trendiness because you want to be cool and have the newest crap. Do you need a new cell phone when your “old” one is a mere 4 months dated? Does the new one make you any less annoying when it rings during class? I think not. What about those UGGs? Oh yes, I’m going there.
Uggs started out as being practical as some trends tend to do, because they are comfortable and warm for the winter; two great things for a boot to be. The UGGy people could do no wrong. Until fashionistas got a hold of them. They, and their mutations, are hotter than your mom used to be before she had you. They’re colored, short, tall, furry, not furry, etc. The scariest version are the ones that look like Big Foot/Sasquatch’s feet were cut off, gutted, stuffed, and priced at a cool $110. They are ridiculous looking. Even more interesting is when girls at the cusp of spring wear the boots with really short skirts. If there is a more confusing fashion outfit I can’t think of it. Are you hot or cold? Obviously a part of you is really hot because your calves to your upper thigh are exposed; yet from your ankles down your feet are suffering from frostbite. Don’t get me wrong, I really like the miniskirt and think it’s a little slice of heaven for those that can pull it off.
All I’m saying is to think about practicality versus trendiness. Are you wearing or thinking things because you believe in them or because you saw them on TV? I’d like to think that somewhere there is a balance. Spending a few hundred dollars on accessories seems excessive unless they are going to last “forever”. You should make an investment in trendiness. If something is really cool right now, think rationally about whether it’s going to last.
You may be asking, “who determines when something is no longer trendy?” I often wonder the same thing, which is why I will try and answer for you. I decide. Just kidding. Everyone knows I wish slap bracelets were still trendy, but alas those were the days. I think things fall from the Trendy Tree when people find something that is newer and “cooler”. Everyone is always looking for the epitome of cool, but trendiness is fleeting, which is why classics are transcendent.