Fashion goes beyond retro-kitsch, appealing to nostalgic Gen X insiders
Trend - With endless Instagram feeds and Tumblr accounts dedicated to retro fashion, throwback aesthetics are assumed to target Millennials. However, a more nuanced approach to old-school revival is rising in popularity: archival re-releases, the popularity of which hinges on the audience's ability to recognize references from the 90s and early 2000s.
Insight - The time period referenced by this approach to nostalgia indicates an attempt to appeal to young Gen Xers who have insider knowledge of fads from this bygone era. This is because the notoriously difficult-to-target generation is more inclined to react to familiarity. References to their own lived experiences take this to the extreme, while also acknowledging that "cool" does not belong to the youth consumer, but to the generation who initiated the trends that are only now being revived through social media.
Insight - The time period referenced by this approach to nostalgia indicates an attempt to appeal to young Gen Xers who have insider knowledge of fads from this bygone era. This is because the notoriously difficult-to-target generation is more inclined to react to familiarity. References to their own lived experiences take this to the extreme, while also acknowledging that "cool" does not belong to the youth consumer, but to the generation who initiated the trends that are only now being revived through social media.
Workshop Question - What is one cyclical fad from the early 2000s that your brand could leverage through marketing?
Trend Themes
1. Referential Luxury - Archival re-releases that reference the 90s and early 2000s appeal to nostalgic Gen X insiders.
2. Nostalgia-inducing Archival Tributes - Online platforms such as OLD CÉLINE offer a nostalgic experience to consumers while teaching them about a label's recent heritage and creative approach.
3. Reviving Retro Aesthetics - Fashion brands update retro aesthetics to create updated versions of classic designs like Dior's 2018 saddle purse and Helmut Lang's taxi campaign featuring cabbie-inspired streetwear.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion and Luxury - Luxury fashion brands are releasing archival re-releases and updating retro designs for the nostalgia-driven Gen X consumers.
2. Marketing and Advertising - Advertising campaigns like Helmut Lang's taxi campaign create connections between common urban professions and high-end streetwear, offering a disruptive innovation opportunity for marketing and advertising professionals.
3. Digital Marketing - Online archival platforms like OLD CÉLINE provide a way for luxury fashion brands to engage with consumers and generate digital content for brand storytelling.
4 Featured, 34 Examples:
143,342 Total Clicks
Date Range:
Mar 18 — Jan 19
Trending:
Warm
Consumer Insight Topics:
