High schoolers are always talking about the latest trend, a new style, a trendy object, or a popular activity. Usually, these trends gain rapid popularity and fade out over time. This is defined to be a micro-trend. More specifically, a micro-trend is a short-lived, niche shift in consumer behavior when it comes to an interest, style, or activity. As we enter 2026, it is interesting to see what the newest micro-trends are. Through BHS students, we will hear all about the recent short-lived fixations that are expected to shape the beginning of 2026.
Labubus For the last several months, you may have seen this item on backpacks, purses, in cars, or even hanging on jeans. From elementary school kids to adults, most people seem to own a Labubu. Senior Marley Kobernick, a Labubu enthusiast, gave insight into the weight this specific item has in society. Kobernick currently owns two Labubu’s and yearns for more. She claimed, “I didn’t like them at first, but then I saw them all over my social media and started to think they were really cute.” After seeing the item on her social media platforms, its popularity turned the creepy animal into a cute stuffed animal. There has to be a reason the item originally blew up, but according to Kobernick, “there is nothing special with them.” The only thing that is ‘special’ about them is that “they are expensive,” normally sitting at a price of $40. TikTok blew this micro-trend out of proportion, and Kobernick expects it to only last a few more months. With some people “definitely hating it” and its fame wearing down, Kobernick does not expect to see them at the end of 2026.
Parke
Stylish but expensive, the brand Parke has become popular among some BHS students. The most popular item, the crewnecks, have Parke written big across the chest. The brand was founded by Chelsea Parke Kramer in 2022 and has been trending on social media platforms, attracting people to buy and love the item. Junior Kate Pollock, an owner of three Parke mock necks, shared her perception on the trend. Originally, Parke’s fame on TikTok drew Pollock’s attention. She likes “how [Parke] is different from a basic hoodie or crewneck” because “they are really good quality”. She recognizes that “people think it’s overdone or a stupid purchase”, but she believes that “they are good basic staples that [she] will be wearing for a long time”. Although this is the case for her, she does believe it to be a micro-trend that will lose its popularity over the years.
Needohs and Dumplings
Filled with dough, slime, or some type of goo, Needohs and Dumplings are made to relieve stress and anxiety. The two are types of fidgets, or stress relievers, that are found at Target and Five Below. Dumplings, especially, have blown up on social media over the past few weeks, and junior Jayden Reithel owns about 15 and told us her view on the hype around them. Reithel said, “They are so fun to play with and stress relieving; they helped me stay focused.” Her drive to buy them originally stemmed from their trendiness. She explained, “They became trendy, and everyone was posting about them, so now everyone’s using them.” Similar to the other trends, social media blew up these fidgets. Reithel shared, “It’s not even that the squishies are good, it’s the idea of it that draws people in.” She continued, “Everyone wants to post an unboxing video and be a part of the trend.” Although she said this, she still feels that “they will eventually go away on social media, but people will still use them”. Reithel expects to see this trend last until the end of the school year.
Bedazzling
Adding a special touch of bling to society, bedazzling has become the new “it” hobby. People spend hours in their rooms gluing gems to makeup products or paintings to add a bedazzled feel to their lives. You can often catch senior Lindsey Philko bedazzling, so she shared her experience with the newfound hobby. After Philko saw bedazzling on TikTok, she bedazzled “about 15 items”. She claimed, “The activity calms my anxiety and is a good distraction to get me off of my phone.” The hobby is beneficial for her mental health, but she also shared that “it is aesthetically pleasing,” which draws more attention to the trend. Though she sees this as a micro-trend, she still believes that “since it’s more of a craft, the trend will fade, but people will still do it”. She continued, “You can’t really be judged for bedazzling as you can be with clothes. You are making your own items more you,” it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Philko expects to see this trend’s popularity fade this year.
Sonny Angels
Finally, the biggest craze on social media, the popular collector item, the takeover of all micro-trends: Sonny Angels. Sonny Angels are small figurines that come in a mystery box. People collect the object in bulk and display them around their room, cars, or even glue them to their electronics. Sophomore Abby Lambersten is a Sonny Angel collector and gave her insight on the famous figurines. As Lambersten owns over ten Sonny Angels, she is an expert. She first came across them this summer in stores and on TikTok, and ever since then, “everyone started to want them”. She recognized that “there is nothing special about them, but they are interesting and something new”. On top of the trendiness of the item, she shared, “The thrill of getting the Sonny Angel makes it exciting.” She continued, “The mystery unboxing definitely adds to the thrill as well.” Thanks to social media, this trend blew up, and the “interaction online led it to become trendy rather than niche”. Lambersten loves Sonny Angels, but she does think that this micro-trend will be out the door before the end of 2026.
From new hobbies to clothing items, and everything in between, the micro-trends of 2026 are thrilling. Each BHS student who talked about their favorite trend agreed that TikTok is the reason for micro-trends. Evidently, if you want to stay up to date with the latest trend, check out TikTok because it will make you aware of the current teenage craze.
