Everything You Need to Know About the Biggest Lifestyle Trends in 2022
The first month of 2022 has already flown by, but that doesn’t mean our excitement surrounding what the new year possibly holds has worn off. While we don’t know what the new year will bring as we’re still continuing our at-home routine due to the new Omicron wave, there are things we’re most excited about this year: the biggest lifestyle trends in 2022!
From making sure we look good (while also being kind to the planet) to nurturing our well-being, we have compiled everything you need to know about the biggest lifestyle trends in 2022.
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Sustainable wear
When we think of our personal impact on the planet, many of us have realized the consequences of our sartorial choice. That’s why sustainability has been the theme for quite a while and is where fashion is heading towards. Despite the topic being much-discussed in recent years, a 2020 report by Global Fashion Agenda found that the fashion industry’s emissions are set to rise at around 2.1 billion tons a year by 2030. Without taking significant actions, the industry will fail to meet the Paris Agreement’s target to keep global warming to 1.5°C for 2030.
McKinsey & Company, a global management consulting firm, reported that consumers will demand more transparency when it comes to supply chain and sustainability—how products are made, where materials come from, and whether or not the people involved in the making are treated fairly.
Given the scale of the climate crisis we’re facing, more brands have started to follow ethical and sustainable practices that are pioneered by brands like Patagonia, Everlane, and Reformation. Offering recyclable materials, designs that last more than one season, plant-based leather options have been significant trends for sustainable fashion. And as consumers are beginning to be more conscious, more and more people will opt for ethical alternatives to fast fashion companies, resulting in the trend of renting clothes, buying vintage, shopping smart and from independent, small businesses continue being on the rise.
Vibrant hues
Gone are the days where we played safe with neutral-colored outfits. Aside from keeping things sustainable, in 2022, one of the biggest lifestyle trends will be about wearing spotlight-stealing hues. Bold splash of colors have been seen almost everywhere on the Spring/Summer 2022 runways—primary blue at Loewe, lime green at Prabal Gurung, yellow at Rodarte, and bubblegum pink at Chanel. These colors serve as an instant wardrobe refresher that are guaranteed to brighten up the mood during the bleakness of the pandemic.
According to Leatrice Eisemen, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, “Colors for Spring 2022 bring together our competing desires for comforting familiarity and joyful adventure through a range of soothing and timeless colors, along with joyous hues that celebrate playfulness.” She added, “As we enter this new landscape, one where fashion rules no longer apply, hues for Spring 2022 allow us to mix and marry as we please, encouraging the exploration of new chromatic realities, opening the door for personalized style and spontaneous color statements.”
While these vibrant hues are released to predict the fashion design trends, without a doubt, the colors can also be incorporated into home designs. Especially if you’re into…
Maximalist interior design
Being confined at home for so long due to the pandemic has pushed us to step out of our comfort zone and rethink the way we live, work, interact with each other, and express ourselves. A study commissioned by Coravin and conducted by OnePoll found that 70% of 2000 respondents learned more about themselves during quarantine through delving into new hobbies, and 35% said that they want to continue their newfound hobbies.
Among the many new hobbies and exploration of something new, redecorating homes is one that is popular as people want to find ways to turn their homes into a sanctuary, with maximalist interiors to be specific.
Maximalism means decorating our homes with more of the things we love. This direction of interior design is characterized by an eclectic mix of patterns, busy walls decorated with photographs or artwork, and unique statement pieces. When selecting furnishings, be sure to consider exploring not only rich colors, but also layers and textures, because maximalist design goes way more than just filling the room with lots of stuff.
Social media has its own impact when it comes to influencing consumers on maximalist design. According to Pinterest data, people are searching for “maximalist decor” five times more often on the platform compared to 2020. The style is taking the interior world by the storm in 2021, and a quick scroll through Instagram or TikTok will also get us to a plethora of maximalist decor inspiration.
As stated by Sasha Bikoff, a designer for Sasha Bikoff Interior Design, on Apartment Therapy, “The emergence of social media and the desire for that unique, bright image absolutely plays a role in maximalism’s most recent rise.”
Overall well-being
Amid the Omicron wave, we are still surrounded with so much uncertainty and fear. That’s mainly why looking after our mental and physical well-being feels especially vital. For that reason alone, increased health consciousness has driven the wellness industry while we reevaluated what it actually means to be “well”.
In light of the pandemic, there was a growing demand in sleep aid devices that resulted in global retail value sales of around USD 3.0 billion in 2019, as well as immunity-boosting food and vitamins, which became Amazon’s top 17 of 20 best-selling vitamin category products in mid 2020.
Apart from making sure we have quality sleep and get nourishing food supplements, people are starting to recognize the importance of self-awareness to manage stress. Many of us are facing challenges that can trigger a stress response. While we certainly can’t avoid stress, learning to cope with stress in a healthy way can help us manage it more effectively.
According to Bupa Health Clinics, one of the biggest trends of 2022 is tracking stress. A recent research conducted by Opinion Matters on behalf of the clinics found that there was 80% increase in searches on Google for “stress tracker” and 88% increase for “mood tracker journal”. Seeing this trend of tracking stress, it is likely that products to help keep track of our moods such as smart watches, mood tracking apps, and mood diaries will become highly popular.
These demands are set to keep expanding in 2022 for it came as a direct response to the rise of anxiety levels caused by the virus outbreak and the consumers’ needs to find new ways to improve their lives.
Mindful, plant-based eating
If there’s one food trend that is noticeably growing in the last few years, it’s the rise of vegetarian and vegan food that has created a massive demand in the market. Innova Market Insights reported that global sustainability has overtaken personal health as consumers’ concern. This gradual shift towards plant-based diet has increased the launches of new plant-based products by 59% in 2021.
While not all plant-based foods are made equally healthy, these options have less environmental impact, which lure more people to make the switch. A survey conducted by YouGov on behalf of Veganuary, an organization that encourages people to go vegan in January, found that a record of 500.000 people have signed up to eat only plant-based foods for a month. This milestone in 2021 is double the number compared to January in 2019.
Since there is a growing awareness of environmental concerns and animal welfare, those who still consume meat will be more inclined to reduce their meat and dairy consumption, hence flexitarianism is believed to be a growing trend. The term flexitarian has been around for a while and is coined to describe individuals who mainly consume plant-based foods, with occasional meat and dairy intake. So, there should be no surprise that restaurants and shops will be offering more plant-based menu options in 2022.