A teen Vogue editor has shared her thoughts on current trends she predicts we might regret in the future—from star-shaped pimple patches to bubble skirts.
Ashleigh Carter (@ashweecarter), 33, from New York City, revealed her list of questionable trends in a video that has racked up 36,200 likes and 769,400 views.
"I work as a writer at a fashion magazine, so it's in my wheelhouse to pay attention to these things anyways. I also think these videos are a good outlet for others to share how they feel about what trends they're seeing, and it starts a debate in the comments," Carter told Newsweek.
Star Pimple Patches
First on Carter's list are star-shaped pimple patches. In her video, she shared: "First, stop wearing these pimple patches in public. What are we doing? I don't see a bright future for these stars."
These skincare stickers, popularized by brands like Starface, have become very popular.
Initially created to help treat acne discreetly, Starface's designs turned acne patches into bold, eye-catching accessories. They tapped into a younger demographic who embraced the idea of normalizing acne while making it fun and creative.
However, Carter has since softened her stance on the patches. "People were quick to defend the star pimple patches, and I was surprised by that. I always thought it looked odd that people went out to dinner or to the bar with a star on their face, but many people said it's a fun way to deal with acne — which is a source of insecurity for so many. I changed my mind on those," she told Newsweek.
Bubble Skirts
Next on the chopping block: bubble skirts. Carter highlighted that while these voluminous, structured skirts have made a comeback, their appeal might be short-lived.
Popular in the early 2000s and now revived, bubble skirts are seen as playful and dramatic fashion pieces. However, Carter's grievance lies in their limited versatility.
"You have to have a certain body type to pull it off, which means the trend might not be sustainable," she said.
Graphic Tees with Fun Internet Sayings
Carter also critiqued graphic tees emblazoned with quirky internet sayings, comparing their rise to the 2010s obsession with mustache motifs.
These tees, while playful, may age poorly in a similar way, leaving wearers cringing at their once-loved slogans.
The End of Sweat Suits Everywhere
Predicting a cultural shift, Carter believes the post-pandemic love for sweat suits as everyday attire might soon give way to a "dressing-up renaissance."
She explained: "Kind of like how after World War 2, things kind of shifted in the culture. This was a post-pandemic situation."
Maxi Skirts
Though Carter admits to owning a maxi skirt herself, she's skeptical about their longevity.
She coined the nickname "The Amish Wife 500" for the trend, which she thinks we might look back on with disapproval.
Boxer Shorts as Shorts
Boxer shorts worn as outerwear topped Carter's list of disliked trends. "The boxer shorts.
"There is just not a chic way to make them look dressed up, in my opinion. I think people should do whatever they want and express themselves in ways they see fit, but the boxer shorts look so messy to me. You're in underwear, sorry!" she said.
Social Media Reaction
As expected, Carter's video sparked a lot of heated debate among viewers. Some passionately defended their favorite trends, while others shared their own fashion grievances.
"I love the acne patches personally. Normalizing something everyone deals with instead of being embarrassed about it. It's nice imo," said one user.
"The stars remind me of the Victorian era's jewel-covered pox marks lol," another viewer remarked.
Others chimed in on bubble skirts. "Bubble dresses giving me 2010 clubbing flashbacks," wrote Ashley.
When it came to graphic tees, one fashion lover shared: "I've literally never stopped collecting novelty tees and each time it gets cool again my collection gets even cooler, so I'm embracing the cycle."
"As a millennial, sweats in public is so dang strange to me," wrote Aaron Jones, reflecting on generational divides in fashion.
Carter ultimately champions personal style over following trends.
"I do think people should stick to what they love, regardless of what is 'trending.' I think that's an issue I see with Gen Z quite often — they'll say things like, 'bring these back!' And it's like, YOU can bring it back. You don't have to wait for someone on TikTok to tell you what to do — just go for it!" she concluded.
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