We give you the skinny on what’s in and what’s out in this new Honeycombers column
Rock stars in the ’70s probably couldn’t imagine that their tight-leather pants and metre-high hairdos would end up in the annals of fashion don’ts. Today, the fast moving nature of the Internet and consumer culture pushes new trends into the spotlight almost as quickly as they pull them out. At the start of a new year, here are some things that are causing quite a stir (in a good and bad way!) that we need to get off our chest.
HOT
New Year resolutions
Chances are, you’ve made a lot more resolutions than you’ve kept. But hey, 2016 is another chance to try again. If last year’s resolution didn’t quite work out for you, trying a more realistic goal, and actually keeping track of your progress might give you the motivation you need. Some of us simply forget our resolutions, so pick up a marker and scrawl it on your bathroom mirror for good measure (a handy tip from one of our own writers who made a resolution to spend less money on makeup).
Star Wars
Whether or not you’re into Star Wars, it’s near impossible to ignore the constant barrage of advertisements and media coverage that the franchise seems to be getting of late. No surprise, considering its seventh instalment is the third highest grossing film of 2015. While the latest movie hit cinemas weeks ago, anticipation is at fever pitch for the next release, Rogue One, which comes hot on its heels with a December 2016 release. The film, directed by Gareth Edwards (Monsters, Godzilla), and staring Felicity Jones and Donnie Yen, is the first of the trilogy of stand-alone Star Wars movies.
Wearable tech
Slightly more than a decade ago, we saw software normally found on desktop PCs make their way onto our newfangled smartphones. This year, we’ll likely see a similar thing happen with wearable technology. Expect the standards like sleep and fitness tracking, text messages and emails at a glance, but in smaller, more durable casings. While older models like the chunky Pebble might offend the fashion-conscious, newer smart watches like the Apple Watch (also available as a Hermes special edition) and the Samsung Gear S2 make what was once a techy toy into a stylish statement.
Pastels
Turn down the saturation and turn up the style with Rosé Quartz and Serenity, Pantone’s colours of the year for 2016. Eschewing boldness and vibrancy for mindfulness and tranquillity, these two calming hues will add a touch of poise to your wardrobe.
NOT
Not giving a crap about the environment
We know, we know. Harping over global warming is trite and overdone, but only now are we seeing the effects of poor ecological foresight. Island nations like Fiji and the Maldives are taking the brunt of nature’s wrath, suffering floods, inclement weather and rising sea levels. The recent countdown party at Marina Bay is an example that hits closer to home. The aftermath of the event left a mess of plastic bags and discarded food containers in the area, despite the 400 bins in the area. A little mindfulness is all it takes; so before you head out for groceries, grab a re-usable tote bag instead of asking for plastic bags. And hey, you’ll look a lot less ‘aunty’ carrying around a stylish canvas tote bag with cute prints.
Hoverboards
We’ve scarcely felt this betrayed by a product name. These ‘hoverboards’ are nothing like Marty McFly’s snazzy pink Mattel hoverboard. They’re too slow to be on the streets, too fast to be on the sidewalks, and worst of all, they don’t hover. These two-wheeled abominations also have a reputation for catching fire while being charged. We’ll pass!
Tinder
Temporary, cheap and essentially disposable relationships are this app’s charter. Users rely purely on a few pictures (often Photoshopped and deceiving) and a short bio (often copy-pasted from an online catalogue of witty one-liners) to decide whether they’re interested in a partner. This lack of information often leads to awkward, or plain horrifying dates. If you’re still looking for a New Year’s resolution, why not make one to put yourself out there instead of relying solely on impersonal dating apps. You never know, that cute barista at the coffee shop might just be waiting for you to ask him out!
The closing of Kilo
After one helluva swan-song shindig, Kilo Lounge has, much to our dismay, closed its doors as a nightclub for good. While this underground house music haven might have shuttered its club premises, Kilo Kallang (the restaurant) shows no signs of slowing down any soon, so all you foodies have that to look forward to at least!
