Nostalgia. Reminiscence. Memories. People think fondly of the past and often long for the reminders associated with it. Today’s generation has physically embraced these concepts in recent years and has popularized turn-of-the-century technology and clothing across the country.
In a time where cell phones are the middleman for innumerable daily tasks, Gen Z is reverting to vintage tech that seems to be more hands-on than before. Digital and polaroid cameras have lately been on the rise, bringing the items back for a rerun after more than 20 years.
The physicality of older cameras has become increasingly attractive to young people because it serves as a brief disconnect from the ever-present interweb. Senior Katie Haas frequently takes pictures with her digital camera and dislikes how phones interfere with the nature of photography. “It’s too easy to whip out your phone and take a halfhearted picture of the sunset. There’s something about messing with the settings of an old digital camera to get the perfect lighting that I find beautiful,” she expressed.
Using a device separate from a cell phone is also a gentle reminder to stay in the present. The purpose of taking a picture is to document moments, whereas the age of social media has encouraged photography to morph into a superficial version of its original intent. “Nobody really romanticizes photos in the way they deserve,” said Haas. Many pictures from events in people’s lives are posed with the intention of being posted to Instagram for followers to merely glance over.
Phones commonly distract from everyday moments, which could be a reason so many people are opting for other types of cameras from back in the day.
The 90’s and 2000’s are often dubbed “simpler” when compared to today in part because of their lack of cell phones. People truly lived and physically connected with each other rather than “communicating” through an addicting electronic device.
Part of the chase for nostalgia is the feeling evoked from it. Engaging in nostalgic recollections activates the reward center of the brain, making it a pleasurable experience. As Gen Z ages into young adults, their nostalgia can be triggered by their accumulating reservoir of memories. They are reaching the “age of nostalgia.” Essentially, Gen Z has now experienced a plethora of events that can spark a revival of memories, making nostalgia more probable and feeding into its feel-good nature.
Past trends in fashion are coming back just the same as technology. Although clothes regularly cycle through popularity, the 90’s style has garnered a widespread takeover.
The vibe of 90’s clothes can be described as chill, lived-in and effortless. People are often drawn to the simplicity of these themes, which is how they’ve passed the test of time. Even Gen Z is being influenced by 90’s TV shows and celebrities though the generation didn’t live through the original period of these trends.
Low-rise jeans and dad sneakers have once again risen to the top of the market and are a staple in many young people’s wardrobes. Senior Ava Hartsock’s closet is one of these. It features thrifted items like embroidered pieces and hair bows which are a special collection to her. “I often find older clothing in resale stores around LeClaire and Davenport, and sometimes these pieces have a personal history,” said Hartsock. “[Thrifting is] also something I get to share with my mom, making it a meaningful experience with someone I love.”
Embracing concepts from the past is a way some youth connect with people who were directly involved in the trends. Parents and teenagers, for example, can see their lives overlapping in different areas, helping to connect the generations in complex times.
Young people are chasing the nostalgia from trends which came shortly before them. Around this same time, the 2000’s, was the dawn of personal devices. This piece of culture has complicated life in many ways and dampened the reality of life itself. As this realization comes to the masses, people have begun to yearn for the ease of the past.
