18          STATE OF THE MAJORS 2026
There’s nothing new under the sun, so they 
say, and fashion trends and styles have a habit of 
circling back around, from antique to Y2K chic. 
That may no longer be the case. If millennials killed cable television, 
then Gen Z’s victim is the trend cycle.
“Their nostalgia really has no rules,” said Bliss, noting that brands 
used to be able to rely on the 10- to 20-year trend cycle.
For example, Pinterest’s 2026 trends report said both geometric 
Art Deco designs and bold, chunky yellow gold jewelry à la the 
1980s are in this year.
Younger consumers can be nostalgic for 
things from decades before they were born, 
from their childhood, or from a few 
years ago, she said, adding that even 
COVID times can evoke 
feelings of nostalgia in 
this generation.
“When the world 
feels like a negative 
place, all of a sudden 
those rose-colored glasses 
are really looking at things 
that are up close,” Bliss said.
“You can expect Gen Z to really dis-
regard all rules when it comes to bringing back trends. They’ll bring 
back a trend from two years ago and rebrand it. They’ll tell us that 
things that were ‘cringe’ last year are back again.”
Bliss cited the dizzying ebb and flow of the skinny jeans versus 
wide-leg jeans debate as an example.
“The collapse of the trend cycle is imminent and hap-
pening. One of the reasons why is because trends 
just move so quickly on social media.”
In fact, 77 percent of 13 to 39 year 
olds agreed that trends move too fast 
for them to keep up with, as per 
YPulse data.
“They’re really watching 
this fire hose trying to come at 
them, and they’re picking and 
choosing which they want, 
and it can be from 15 years ago 
or two years ago and both are 
relevant and valid to them.”
Both Boyle and Inge say 
they don’t follow trend cycles 
too closely, opting for their own 
personal style.
“I definitely do my own thing. I 
don’t really have a certain aesthetic that I 
follow,” says Inge.
“I couldn’t really tell you style-
wise what exactly is trending. I 
feel like they just change 
so often that as soon as 
you start following the 
trend, it shifts.”
The term “kidulting” 
has emerged from the 
nostalgia trend, as 
more adults take on 
hobbies and interests 
typically reserved for 
children as a form of 
stress relief, self-
care, and a way to 
exercise their creativity. 
Think “Disney adults” or the rise in popularity of Lego sets among 
people of all ages. 
Jewelry brands are getting in on the trend, like Mined + Found 
with its toy-themed “Play” collection and Harwell Godfrey’s “Lil’ 
Buddies” necklaces, a nod to the Pet Rock toys.
The doom-and-gloom mindset and the penchant for nostalgia may 
have some retailers scratching their heads, but being open-minded 
can be the difference between success and failure.
“While older generations might not understand the way [young-
er consumers] approach adulthood, I think it is really rife with 
opportunities for a lot of brands if they can authentically look at 
Gen Z’s behaviors and embrace the opportunities that do exist 
there,” Bliss said.
Younger shoppers are still ready to spend, even if 
their financial outlook isn’t upbeat.
Even as technology advances and tastes 
shift, some things never change. 
For example, shoppers still value 
transparency, particularly in the 
age of AI, and they enjoy a fun 
in-store experience, like the 
nostalgic thrill of Black Friday 
shopping, said the panelists at 
the NRF show.
There’s a lot for retailers 
to look forward to with this 
younger generation, noted 
Bliss.
“We’re excited to see, as 
they age into their adulthood, 
the ways that they’re reshap-
ing milestones, the way they’re 
reshaping retail.”  
THE STATE OF
DIAMONDS 
JEWELRY 
DESIGN
COLORED 
STONES
Younger shoppers have an  
interesting definition of nostalgia.
6
The “Retrospect” 
pendant in 14-karat 
yellow gold with 
purple enamel and 
diamond accents 
from Mined + 
Found’s “Play” 
collection
The “Fortune Dice Spinner” 
paracord bracelets by Mined + 
Found feature fortune dice in 
14-karat yellow gold, with sayings 
like “Take a Chance” or “Not Yet.”
The “Lil’ Buddies” 
collection by Harwell 
Godfrey is a playful nod 
to the Pet Rock toys. This 
one is named “Gus” and 
is made in 18-karat yellow 
gold with a 17.81-carat 
opal face and googly-eyes 
made of crystal and onyx.
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