‘Millennial optimism’ might save golf equipment and pubs as individuals lengthy for ‘golden age’ of 2010s
Millennial optimism is all over TikTok – but what is it? Here, we take a look at the new trend that is budging 90s nostalgia out of the way and it might make you feel old
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Everything you need to know about the ‘Millennial optimism’ trend as people long for 2010s
- People have been nostalgic for the 90s with the return of Oasis, tacky Christmas and the John Lewis pulling on our ‘good ol’ days’ heartstrings.
- However, it’s now the 2010s that people miss as the ‘Millennial optimism’ trend takes off on TikTok and Instagram.
- Those in the Millennial age bracket have been reminiscing over their 20s and Gen Z have been romanticising what it could have been like to come-of-age before the pandemic.
- The trend now dubbed as ‘Millennial optimism’ sees montages of photos from the ‘golden age’ of the 2010s, with many believing this to be before the second half of 2016.
- Millennial optimism is a nod to the ‘hipster’ culture of 20-year-olds in the 2010s who loved avocados, owned a bowler hat, would draw moustaches on their fingers, listened to indie-folk music and would never say no to going out on the lash.
- It is also defined by the general optimism and hope felt by this generation – despite their job prospects being harmed due to the 2008 recession.
- ‘Millennial optimism’ is the opposite of Gen Z, who are largely seen as a ‘pessimistic’ generation, that landed in their 20s at the time of the pandemic, Brexit constraints, cost-of-living crisis and a poor job market.
- However, Gen Z are the group to create the ‘Millennial optimism’ trend as they are vicariously experiencing the ‘good ‘ol days’ they only just missed out on.
- Cultural commentators believe that this means ‘boring’ and ‘pessimistic’ Gen Z who like to stay inside will start to embrace the club and pub culture loved in the 2010s to immerse themselves into the trend.
- Could this mean that our nightlife could be saved by the ‘inside’ generation?
- READ MORE: 90s ‘whale tail’ thongs and ‘naked’ bras will dominate lingerie trends in 2026
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