# Downsizing Play Designers opt for cheaper vintage fun over pricey modern innovations. By [Rachel](https://www.trendhunter.com/Rachel) | Published Jun 10, 2009, updated Jun 25, 2009 | Category: [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/style-and-fashion-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/retro-gaming-revivals-designers-opt-for-vintage-fun-over-modern-inventions ## Key Figures - Trend score: 4.6/10 - Evidence articles: 6 ## What is the Downsizing Play trend? **Downsizing Play:** The global financial crisis has many consumers feeling less comfortable spending money on entertainment. The worlds of gaming, fashion and business are seeing the effects of the decision to downsize enjoyment; instead, people are longing for vintage favorites and a return to more simplistic fun. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 6 featured examples - Articles from: Mar 27 to Jun 9, 2009 - Published: Jun 10, 2009 - Patterns: [Cyclicality](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/cyclicality), [Reduction](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/reduction) - Megatrends: [Simplicity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/simplicity), [Naturality](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/naturality), [Nostalgia](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/nostalgia) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Themes within the Downsizing Play trend ### Vintage/retro gaming The trend of vintage and retro gaming is growing, with consumers opting for the more simplistic forms of entertainment rather than modern gaming innovations. ### Geek culture Geek culture and its associated references are dominating the fashion, design and entertainment industries, changing the face of what is considered 'cool'. ### Nostalgia-inducing products Consumers embrace products or services that give them a sense of nostalgia by incorporating aged trends into them, appealing to mature generations of consumers. ## What the Downsizing Play trend means for industry ### For Fashion Geek chic is dominating fashion, with designers opting for cheaper vintage fun over pricey modern innovations. ### For Gaming Vintage and retro gaming is a growing trend due to consumers longing for more simplistic forms of entertainment. ### For Advertising Companies can find disruptive innovation opportunities in utilizing graphic or shocking images and text in marketing campaigns to appeal to their target demographics. ## Trend signals for Downsizing Play Trend score 4.6 out of 10, from popularity 69%, activity 61%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 69% - Activity: 61% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Downsizing Play trend 6 featured examples from Mar 27 to Jun 9, 2009. - [Cartoons Behaving Badly](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/Threadless-Tees-Magic-Mushroom): 'Magic Mushroom' Shirt Reveals the Truth About Mario & Luigi (Category: Fashion) Implication: Potential for apparel companies to create unconventional products that cater to customers seeking edgy and satirical designs. - [Cartoon Corsets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vintage-doctors-super-mario-bros): Vintage Doctors Show Super Mario Brothers' Style (Category: Tech) Implication: Innovative and collaborative opportunities between the fashion and gaming industries to create new products and experiences. - [Retro Gaming Tees](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tetris-skyline-t-shirt): Tetris Skyline T-Shirt Celebrates 25th Anniversary (Category: Tech) Implication: The fashion industry can capitalize on the trend of nostalgia by creating retro-inspired clothing and accessories that appeal to consumers seeking a trip down memory lane. - [Cheeky Pacman Headgear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/everywhere-kiss-me-i-d): Geeky Girls in i-D Magazine's 'Everywhere Kiss Me' Editorial (Category: Naughty) Implication: Exploring disruptive innovation opportunities in creating attention-grabbing campaigns. - [Renaissance-Inspired T-Shirts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/renaissance-inspired-t-shirts-kevin-tongs-super-mario-sketched-da-vinci-sty): Kevin Tong's Super Mario Shirt is Sketched Da Vinci-Style (Category: Tech) Implication: Opportunity for fashion retailers to offer unique and artistic clothing options. - [Geektastic Tees](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/teefury-t-shirts): TeeFury T-Shirt Combines Star Wars, Terminator, Lord of the Rings (Category: Fashion) Implication: Fashion brands can tap into the geek chic trend and incorporate geek culture references into their clothing and accessories. ## Recent trend clusters - [Aromatic Utility](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/aromatic-utility) (Fashion) - [Channel Blending](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/channel-blending) (Fashion) - [Aromatic Bodycare](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/aromatic-bodycare) (Fashion) - [Smile Cosmetics](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/smile-cosmetics) (Fashion) ## Trending in Fashion - [Fruit-Inspired Digital Watches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/themed-wristwatches) - [Athlete Beauty Ambassadorships](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/athlete-beauty-ambassadorships) - [Elegant Bookbinding-Inspired Shoulder Bags](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/boky-bag) - [’90s-Inspired Fall Essentials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/quince-and-jason-bolden) All articles: [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion)