Category
Fashion
Scaled Restraint
Trend cluster
Category
Meme
Adaptation
Stereotypical "dad" fashions are adopted as marketing and design tools.
5.5
Trend score
Trend
What is the Meme Adaptation trend?
Meme Adaptation: With the rise of "dad" memes online has come the adaptation of this pop cultural reference into the design influences and marketing of fashion brands–both exclusive and not. This shift indicates the ever-growing relevance of Internet culture in enhancing the relatability of real world initiatives–where once the opposite was true.
Trend themes
Themes within the Meme Adaptation trend
Three behaviours holding the trend together01
Dad-Fashion
Adaptation of 'dad' fashion and humor is increasing in popularity for marketing and design, indicating that humorous and relatable pop culture references can enhance engagement and relevance.
02
Collaborative streetwear sneaker releases
With the rise of collaborations between popular streetwear brands, there is a growing trend of different companies bringing iconic sneaker designs to the forefront again, which presents an opportunity for designers to recreate or add a unique twist on iconic sneaker styles.
03
Nostalgic 90's styling
The makeup of brands artfully blending modern aesthetics with retro and vintage styling provides an opportunity for designers to create updated and unique options for their consumers that reference the nostalgia of 90’s and 80’s fashion trends.
Industry implications
What the Meme Adaptation trend means for industry
Where the trend changes the playbookFor
Fashion
From dad-fashion and streetwear collaborations to retro 90's style, there is an ever-growing trend to turn humor and pop culture references into design inspirations in the fashion industry.
For
Footwear
From the revival of trends in updated shoe styles to the continuous releases of iconic sneaker designs, the footwear industry tends to be at the forefront of many pop culture adaptation trends.
For
Marketing
Humorous marketing geared towards millennials resting on pop culture references and relevant memes are all excellent ways to market products and increase engagement with younger consumers.
Workshop question
How can your brand take note from the influence of Internet culture in the development or marketing of its products/services?
Trend signals
Trend signals for Meme Adaptation
Trend score 5.5 out of 10, from popularity 81%, activity 78%, freshness 8%.
Popularity81%
Activity78%
Freshness8%
Audience
50%Men
50%Women
- Gen Alpha
- Gen Z
- Millennial
- Gen X (not a primary audience)
- Boomer (not a primary audience)
Market
North America
Europe
Asia-Pacific
Evidence
Examples of the Meme Adaptation trend
7 featured examples from Jul 21, 2016 to Feb 14, 2018CategoryFashion
Streetwear Shoe Collaborations
The COMME des GARÇONS x Nike ACG Mowabb Blend Debuted in Paris
Collaborations between streetwear and high fashion brands present an opportunity for both industries to appeal to new audiences while experimenting with new designs and materials.
CategoryFashion
Dad-Style Sneakers
The Nike Grandstand II is Back After a Quarter of a Century
The revival of dad-style sneakers presents an opportunity for athletic footwear brands to capitalize on nostalgic designs and target a new consumer base.
CategoryLifestyle
Pet-Matching Hawaiian Shirts
These Hawaiian Tops Can Be Worn with Matching Shirts for Dogs
Pet clothing companies can benefit from creating and promoting matching options for both pets and their owners.
CategoryFashion
Updated Chunky Sneakers
Balenciaga's Triple-S is Arriving in Six New Colorways
The release of Balenciaga's Triple-S in six new colorways creates an opportunity for shoe designers to offer an updated range of colorful sneakers.
CategoryFashion
Luxurious Calfskin Sneakers
These Balenciaga Sneakers Have a Chunky but Breathable Build
Luxurious suede and calfskin material trends can present new opportunities in high-end fashion design and manufacturing.
CategoryFashion
Nostalgic Neon-Colored Sneakers
The 'Brandblack Aura II' Combines Modern Styles for a New Sneaker
Opportunity for athletic footwear brands to experiment with unique designs that fuse different styles and inspirations together to appeal to younger consumers.
CategoryPop Culture
Fashionable Father Accounts
'Fashion Dads' is an Instagram Account That Shows the Best Dad Looks
Fashion brands can capitalize on the trend toward unconventional style by creating collections intentionally designed to appear humorous or satirical
