2021: Trend Forecast

FASHION

It seems like specter of COVID-19 is going to taint the trends of 2021 (unfortunate, but probably obvious by now).  According to Fashionunited.com, fashion experts are predicting that people will favor more comfortable, creative, and expressive clothes.  I’m guessing that this is because you’re going to wear whatever you want when you’re stuck at home without much social interaction for months on end.  Optimistically, they are also predicting that consumers will go for more colorful clothing in an attempt to inspire joy and happiness.  I’m predicting this trend to be at it’s peak around mid spring 2021. 

“The Experts” are also predicting the 80’s revival styles will still be going strong in the coming year, and my guess is that we’ll see a bigger trend toward late 80’s styles.  Particularly in music, fashion, and general attitude.  Think Stone-wash denim and wave haircuts as opposed to neon colors and mullets.  I’m expecting this to manifest later on in 2021.  

DATA

Datacenterfrontier.com conducted a year-end interview with the leaders, owners, and operators of the nation’s major data centers.   John Sabey of the Sabey corporation was interested in the (presumable) rise in U.S. bank interest rates, and how that would effect data center costs, both operational and for the end-user.  Maricel Cerruti of Infrastructure Masons predicted “acceleration in digital adoption”, in terms of the increase of business being done online and from home.  She also wonders whether or not “remote work” is here to stay in 2021.  My feeling is that, as long as COVID continues to be “news”, remote work will be an increasingly exercised option.  

Michael DeVito from Iron Mountain has a very interesting take.  He references several “industry drivers”, which are tech developments that will potentially push data centers (and IT systems in general) to grow to meet increased demand.  These things are 5G, gaming, A.I., and IoT, or “The Internet of Things”.  The IoT has been predicted for some time now, and I’m not sure 2021 is the year that we’ll see it in full force, but expect that to come eventually. 

WEATHER

I don’t often put a lot of faith into “computer modeling” of the weather,  but business insider India is reporting “Supercomputer shows tropical cyclones hitting India are going to get more destructive — that is until the flooding starts”.  It also predicted that as the cyclones become more intense, they will also become less frequent.  This was predicted by the IBM super computer “Aleph”.  Take for what you will.

HERE’S WHERE IT GETS REAL

Gerald Celente and the Trends Journal, who in my opinion is the authority on trend forecasting, has released his “Top Trends for 2021” list.  This is where the new-year predictions get serious.  His list is as follows, with my own short description.

1. GREATEST DEPRESSION

Due to the economic ramifications of the worldwide COVID lockdowns, we can expect to soon experience *literally* the greatest economic depression of record. 

2. ANTI-TAX, ANTI-VAX POLITICAL PARTIES

There will be new political parties to counter the political ruling elite and their suggested mandatory-vaccine policies.  Basically, if the governments demand mass-vaccinations, expect there to be unrest and people protesting against it.  

3. SURVIVALISM

With the current economic instability, last summer’s riots, and decreased confidence in government, expect more people to seek out and learn survival skills. 

4. ROARING 2021

With people of various ages and generations in agreement that they’ve had “enough” of wearing a mask, expect “party time” from those who aren’t buying the mask measures.

5. SPEAKEASIES

With bars, restaurants, nightclubs, concerts, and pretty much everything fun being shut down due to COVID restrictions, expect highly exclusive underground establishments to pop up.  These will foster new sounds, looks, and styles in fashion and music.  

6. YOUTH REVOLUTION

18-29 year olds are expected to rebel hard against the lockdown measures.   With most people that age suddenly unable to find work, unable to attend school, unable to move away from their parents, and unable to invest in their future, there will be a backlash against staying at home.  COVID will be seen as an “old person’s disease”.

7. BOCA MIDNIGHT

We’ll see empty streets before midnight in many areas.  Expect above-board nightlife to die.  Due to COVID restrictions on restaurants, bars, and clubs, and expected curfews, we could possibly see vacant streets by 10 pm.  

8. CHURCH OF FREEDOM, PEACE & JUSTICE

It’s extremely likely that (to some degree) we’ll see a literal non-denominational religion pop up around ideals such as freedom, justice, and self-authority.  This is because it might be easier to protect rights being taken away, if you circumvent the issue by means of invoking “freedom of religion”.  

9. CHINA 2021: THE CHINESE CENTURY

The idea here is that. the 20th century belonged to America, largely due to our military dominance.  And while we’ve been spending trillions waging war, China has spent the same amount building it’s economic strength.  Seeing that world power in the coming century may not be dictated by military might, but instead by economic influence… you know where this is going. 

10. NEW WORLD DISORDER 2.0  

In 2019, there was social unrest and protests around the world, from South Africa to Hong Kong  you remember Hong Kong, right?  That all went away when COVID hit.  The prediction here is that we’ll see those social movements comeback to the streets in 2021.