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Top 100 Pop Culture Trends for 2021

From Political Satire Fashion to Germ-Fighting Emojis

— January 31, 2021 — Pop Culture
This list of 2021 pop culture trends highlights some of the ways in which popular culture can influence and direct consumer desires, giving thought leaders and business owners a better idea of what to look for in the years to come.

2020 has been an incredibly unpredictable year, and the trends that have come out of it are equally unique. The COVID-19 pandemic has altered consumer behaviour, changing the way people communicate and consume media. As a result of this, a slew of new apps and emojis dedicated to the New Normal were released, with &Walsh's custom-designed emojis being a perfect example. Empowering images of people literally kicking a germ, or wearing masks helped people find joy and humor during uncertain times.

Meanwhile, 2020 also saw one of the most divisive elections in recent history. This event offered inspiration to numerous industries, who leveraged their platform to encourage people to vote. High fashion brand Balenciaga took a different route, debuting a satirical, politically inspired editorial to showcase its latest range.
7.1
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
100
Personalized Relationship Playlists
Personalized Relationship Playlists
Spotify Premium Duo is Being Promoted via Customized Playlists
<
99
Short-Form Viral Video Partnerships
Short-Form Viral Video Partnerships
Iflix is Teaming Up with TikTok to Stream Short-Form Videos
<
98
Empowering POC-Specific School Supplies
Empowering POC-Specific School Supplies
EPIC EVERYDAY Boasts a Chic Back-to-School Collection
<
97
Collaborative Gen Z Ads
Collaborative Gen Z Ads
Chipotle's TikTok Timeout Disrupts Traditional Super Bowl Advertising
<
96
Virtual Cinema Clubs
Virtual Cinema Clubs
Häagen-Dazs & Secret Cinema Created Secret Sofa for At-Home Entertainment
<
95
Hybrid Hiking Technology
Hybrid Hiking Technology
This 2-in-1 System Offers Drinking and Cooling Abilities
<
94
Celebrity-Founded Refillable Cosmetics
Celebrity-Founded Refillable Cosmetics
Fenty Skin Debuts Eco-Friendly, Refillable Products
<
93
Self-Isolation-Themed Campaigns
Self-Isolation-Themed Campaigns
Nike Engages in Self-Isolation Advocacy with Its New Campaign
<
92
Science Fiction Face Masks
Science Fiction Face Masks
These Star Wars Hydrating Face Masks Come in Five Styles
<
91
Expansie Cartoon-Inspired Apparel
Expansie Cartoon-Inspired Apparel
Primitive Skateboarding Drops a Large Dragon Ball Super Capsule
<
90
Retro-Futurist Shoe Revivals
Retro-Futurist Shoe Revivals
The PUMA Future Rider Model is in Collaboration with Chinatown Market
<
89
Under-Rock Hotel Promotions
Under-Rock Hotel Promotions
Those Looking to Avoid the Election Can Book Hotels.com's Cave Room
<
88
Virtual Museum Experiences
Virtual Museum Experiences
Google Arts and Culture Boasts Over 500 Museums & Galleries Virtually
<
87
Hand Washing-Themed Apparel
Hand Washing-Themed Apparel
Talentless Unveiled the Wash Your Hands Range in Time for Flu Season
<
86
Fashion-Foward QSR Uniforms
Fashion-Foward QSR Uniforms
Inspired by Adidas & IVY PARK, Popeyes Uniforms are Now Being Sold
<
85
Songstress-Branded Eco Apparel
Songstress-Branded Eco Apparel
Singer Billie Eilish Launches Sustainable Clothing Line at H&m
<
84
Cult Cartoon-themed Engagement Rings
Cult Cartoon-themed Engagement Rings
The Pokémon Company Debuts a Line of Pokémon Engagement Rings
<
83
Virtual Concert Apparel Collections
Virtual Concert Apparel Collections
Travis Scott Has Dropped New 'Astronomical Tour' Merchandise
<
82
Video Game-Referencing Apartment Blocks
Video Game-Referencing Apartment Blocks
Aoa Architects' Pixel Building Pays Homage to Minecraft
<
81
Breakable Chocolate Hearts
Breakable Chocolate Hearts
The Ironic Heartbreaker Chocolate Heart is Designed to Be Smashed
<
80
Anime-Inspired Fashion Boots
Anime-Inspired Fashion Boots
Zara China is Selling Black Boots with Heels Resembling Poké Balls
<
79
Charitable Cloth Face Masks
Charitable Cloth Face Masks
The Weeknd's XO Face Masks Support MusiCares Coronavirus Relief Fund
<
78
Self-Shot Magazine Covers
Self-Shot Magazine Covers
ESSENCE's Naomi Campbell Cover Was Shot by the Supermodel on an iPhone
<
77
Sci-Fi-Inspired Sneaker Styles
Sci-Fi-Inspired Sneaker Styles
The Adidas x Star Wars ZX 2K Boost Solo Sneaker is Character-Themed
<
76
Artistic Face Mask Coverings
Artistic Face Mask Coverings
The Ai Weiwei Mask Art Project Raises Funds for Humanitarian Causes
<
75
Secret Agent-Approved Sneakers
Secret Agent-Approved Sneakers
The Adidas x James Bond Ultraboost 20 Sneakers are Stylish
<
74
Stylish Singer T-Shirt Collabs
Stylish Singer T-Shirt Collabs
The Billie Eilish x Takashi Murakami Collab is Coming to UNIQLO
<
73
Nostalgic Streetwear Collabortaions
Nostalgic Streetwear Collabortaions
The SEAN JOHN x MISSGUIDED Collection is Now Available
<
72
Cartoon-Themed Graphic Tees
Cartoon-Themed Graphic Tees
Daniel Arsham Joins Uniqlo to Design the Pokémon Collection
<
71
High-End Hazmat Suits
High-End Hazmat Suits
Erykah Badu Sports a Louis Vuitton Hazmat Suit at the Texas Film Awards
<
70
Adult-Branded Hand Sanitizers
Adult-Branded Hand Sanitizers
The Pornhub Hand Sanitizer Bears the Company's Familiar Branding
<
69
Charitable Quarantine Wines
Charitable Quarantine Wines
Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis Created a Quarantine Wine for Charity
<
68
Manga Art-Inspired Fashion
Manga Art-Inspired Fashion
Vapor95 Works with Vinne Art on the Neon Zero Collection
<
67
Meme-Inspired Cartoon Mugs
Meme-Inspired Cartoon Mugs
Disney's Honest Mugs Spotlight Villains in a Humorous Way
<
66
Expletive-Playing Dog Collars
Expletive-Playing Dog Collars
The 'Cuss Collar' Plays Curse Words When a Dog Barks
<
65
Charitable Disney Face Masks
Charitable Disney Face Masks
Disney is Selling Cloth Face Masks Featuring Classic Characters
<
64
Laid-Back Cartoon Fashion Collections
Laid-Back Cartoon Fashion Collections
The Simpsons x Vans Collection Celebrates the Cartoon Family
<
63
Magical Disney Wedding Dresses
Magical Disney Wedding Dresses
The Disney Wedding Dress Collection is Now Available in the UK
<
62
Pop-Up Microcinemas
Pop-Up Microcinemas
Oppo Mobile's Cinema in London Lets People Watch Films on Handsets
<
61
Witty Wine-Branded Summer Accessories
Witty Wine-Branded Summer Accessories
BABE Wine Launches 'Summer is Everything' Collection
<
60
Snack-Branded Ugly Sweaters
Snack-Branded Ugly Sweaters
Frito-Lay's Ugly Sweaters are Perfect for the Holiday
<
59
Philanthropic Gen Z Brands
Philanthropic Gen Z Brands
Favored Nations Mobilizes Gen Z to Support Important Issues
<
58
Anime-Inspired Graphic Apparel
Anime-Inspired Graphic Apparel
Uniqlo's New Demon Slayer Collection Launches Its First Set
<
57
Topical Slogan Apparel
Topical Slogan Apparel
Ye Republic's 2020 Clothing Collection Expresses Despair and Chaos
<
56
Geometry-Emphasizing Bathrooms
Geometry-Emphasizing Bathrooms
Marcante Testa's Stylish Bathroom Line References Roy Lichtenstein
<
55
CCTV-Inspired Contemporary Fashion Editorials
CCTV-Inspired Contemporary Fashion Editorials
IISE's New Lookbook Touches on Theme of Surveillance
<
54
Whimsical Introvert-Themed Merchandise
Whimsical Introvert-Themed Merchandise
Recess Debuted the Introspective Capsule Collection
<
53
Elegant Video Game-Inspired Rings
Elegant Video Game-Inspired Rings
These Kirby Wedding Rings Pay Homage to the Nintendo Character
<
52
Wine-Branded Workout Apparel
Wine-Branded Workout Apparel
Body By Wine is a New Range of Millennial-Inspired Workout Gear
<
51
Mesmerizing Interactive Sound Installations
Mesmerizing Interactive Sound Installations
Steve Parker's Work is Incredibly Unique and Intricate
<
50
Female-Empowering Temporary Tattoos
Female-Empowering Temporary Tattoos
Christian Cowan Designs with Inkbox and the Powerpuff Girls
<
49
Viral Marketing Tactics
Viral Marketing Tactics
Ocean Spray Gifted '420doggface208' with a Cranberry Juice-Filled Truck
<
48
Brutalist-Channeling Furniture Ranges
Brutalist-Channeling Furniture Ranges
Virgil Abloh Boasts Brutalist Furniture for Galerie Kreo
<
47
1980's Film-Inspired Sneakers
1980's Film-Inspired Sneakers
Vans is Reissuing the 'Fast Times' Checkerboard Slip-On Shoes
<
46
Internet-Inspired Collectibles
Internet-Inspired Collectibles
Moose Toys' Oh! My Gif Collectibles Mimic Looping GIFs
<
45
Celebratory Secret Agent Sweaters
Celebratory Secret Agent Sweaters
The N.Peal Navy Ribbed Army Sweater Has an Iconic Cut
<
44
Post-COVID Night Clubs
Post-COVID Night Clubs
44KW in Shanghai Introduces Safety Measures After Reopening
<
43
Sci-Fi 80s-Style Bikes
Sci-Fi 80s-Style Bikes
The Schwinn x Stranger Things Lucas Sinclair Bicycle is Retro
<
42
Casual Model-Created Campaigns
Casual Model-Created Campaigns
Kendall Jenner Shot Self-Portraits for Burberry's Summer Collection
<
41
Contemporary Cannabis-Inspired Apparel
Contemporary Cannabis-Inspired Apparel
besito Debuts Romantic Novelty Products for Valentine's Day
<
40
Mystery Cartoon Sneaker Collections
Mystery Cartoon Sneaker Collections
The Converse x Scooby-Doo Sneakers Come in Two Styles
<
39
Female Spirit-Inspired Talismans
Female Spirit-Inspired Talismans
The Poet Atticus Joins Pyrrha for a Charitable Jewelry Launch
<
38
Drink-Holding Ugly Holiday Sweaters
Drink-Holding Ugly Holiday Sweaters
The Hefty Party Cup Parka & Mitten Koozie is Outdoor-Friendly
<
37
Satirical Political Fashion Ads
Satirical Political Fashion Ads
The New Balenciaga Editorial for SS20 is a Political Critique
<
36
Viral Mask-Integrated Dresses
Viral Mask-Integrated Dresses
Pretty Little Thing Debuted the Long Sleeve Mask Bodycon Dress
<
35
Hybrid Antihero Collectible Statues
Hybrid Antihero Collectible Statues
Sidewshow & PCS Collectibles Boast a 40-Inch Venompool
<
34
Charitable Call-Out Apparel Lines
Charitable Call-Out Apparel Lines
André 3000 is Raising Funds for the Black Lives Matter Movement
<
33
Digital Streetwear Fashion Collections
Digital Streetwear Fashion Collections
Happy99 Offers Digital Pants, Shirts, Plushies, and More
<
32
Game-Inspired Furniture Catalogs
Game-Inspired Furniture Catalogs
IKEA Taiwan Recreated Its Furniture Catalog with Animal Crossing
<
31
Honorary Cinematic Board Games
Honorary Cinematic Board Games
This Jumanji Board Game Delivers an Authentic Player Experience
<
30
Provokingly Empowering Candles
Provokingly Empowering Candles
This Daring Goop Candle Went Viral and It Sold Out Very Quickly
<
29
Light-Up Collectible Toys
Light-Up Collectible Toys
The Character-Filled Wow! Pods Illuminate with a Swipe
<
28
Playfully Modular Chair Designs
Playfully Modular Chair Designs
Inspired by Ettore Sottsass, Kaoi Studio Releases the Ebba Chair
<
27
Empowering Pandemic Emojis
Empowering Pandemic Emojis
&Walsh Offers Comic Relief with a Set of Custom Designed Emojis
<
26
Meme-Inspired Disney Streetwear
Meme-Inspired Disney Streetwear
Disney & UNIQLO's Designs Feature Princesses & Villains
<
25
80s Film Halloween Outfits
80s Film Halloween Outfits
Angel Jackets' 80s-Inspired Film Jackets are a Retro Halloween Look
<
24
Next-Gen Virtual Fashion Shops
Next-Gen Virtual Fashion Shops
The Yeezy Supply Site Offers a New Vision for Online Shopping
<
23
Artist-Created Magazine Covers
Artist-Created Magazine Covers
The British Vogue August 2020 Covers Explore the Idea of "Reset"
<
22
Gen Z Streetwear Collaborations
Gen Z Streetwear Collaborations
H&M, Kangol and Mabel are Celebrating Self-Made Stars
<
21
Cartoon Penguin Clothing Collections
Cartoon Penguin Clothing Collections
The BAPE x Pingu Collection Celebrates the Iconic Program
<
20
Self-Explanatory Fast-Food Campaigns
Self-Explanatory Fast-Food Campaigns
These McDonald's Billboards are the Epitome of Minimalism
<
19
Social Media-Friendly Bar Interiors
Social Media-Friendly Bar Interiors
Roman Plyus Works on an Instagrammable Bar in Hungary
<
18
80s-Inspired Face Shields
80s-Inspired Face Shields
The DEVO Energy Dome Face Shield Has an Iconic Design
<
17
Curve-Accentuating Popstar Apparel
Curve-Accentuating Popstar Apparel
PrettyLittleThing and Doja Cat Joined for a New Collection
<
16
Humorous Social Distancing Apparel
Humorous Social Distancing Apparel
The Social Distancing Champion Shirt Has a Cheeky Design
<
15
Vagina-Scented Incense
Vagina-Scented Incense
Erykah Badu is Debuting a Progressive Incense Aroma on BADU WORLD MARKET
<
14
1800s-Style Movie Portraits
1800s-Style Movie Portraits
Wilson Webb Shot Vintage Portraits for the Little Women Film
<
13
Game-Inspired Character Clocks
Game-Inspired Character Clocks
The Conceptual Among Us Lamp + Clock is Multifunctional
<
12
Satirical Humorous Graphic Tees
Satirical Humorous Graphic Tees
Maurizio Cattelan and Perrotin Join to Create the Comedian T-Shirt
<
11
Immersive AR Clothing Brands
Immersive AR Clothing Brands
deKryptic Fuses Immersive Technology with Apparel and Accessories
<
10
Ultra-Colorful Retail Spaces
Ultra-Colorful Retail Spaces
Yinka Ilori Embraces Maximalism When Designing the Happy House
<
9
Anti-Tech Jewelry Collections
Anti-Tech Jewelry Collections
Sara Sallam Takes Cues from George Orwell's 1984 Novel
<
8
Luxury Fast-Food Branding
Luxury Fast-Food Branding
The McDonald's x Alexander Wang Collaboration Oozes Sophistication
<
7
Social Distance Hat Designs
Social Distance Hat Designs
Veronica Toppino is Inspired by Historic Examples of Social Distancing
<
6
Actor-Themed Face Masks
Actor-Themed Face Masks
The Arnold Total Recall Face Mask Makes the Perfect Halloween Costume
<
5
Humorous Face Masks
Humorous Face Masks
The ELIEL Face Masks Have Quirky Phrases on their Moisture-Wicking Masks
<
4
Provocative Mask Alternatives
Provocative Mask Alternatives
Max Siedentopf's Humorous List Shows Everyday Objects as Face Masks
<
3
Quarantine Fashion Photoshoots
Quarantine Fashion Photoshoots
Bella Hadid's Vogue Italia Shoot Was Captured Via FaceTime
<
2
Extravagant Body Positive Artworks
Extravagant Body Positive Artworks
Daisy May Collingridge's Fabric Bodysuits Celebrate Beauty
<
1
Sci-Fi Franchise Face Masks
Sci-Fi Franchise Face Masks
These Star Wars Face Masks are Suited for Kids and Adults Alike
<