Trends move fast through the hallways of WJ. One year, everyone owns Hydro Flasks covered in stickers, and the next everyone’s wearing Nike Air Forces. Now, the big three are PARKE sweatshirts, Owala water bottles and Labubus. They’re everywhere, but not everyone agrees on whether they’re worth the hype.

The PARKE mockneck sweatshirt is the most recognizable. The neckline stands out, higher than a crewneck but not as tight as a turtleneck, so it looks different from the usual hoodie.

“I really like the design of the mock neck sweater and like how it’s kind of different and keeps me warm,” junior Dylan Perlstein said.

That little twist has made the sweatshirt huge online. TikTok and Instagram feeds display it nonstop, and often people who don’t own one know exactly what it looks like. PARKE has become one of those things you feel like you should own to keep up with the latest trends. Plenty of students say the sweatshirt’s comfort is what sold them on it. The fabric is soft and the style feels fresh compared to the same hoodies everyone already has.

“The neck line goes really up your neck, kind of like a turtleneck, but it’s not tight. It’s really cute,” Perlstein said.

For some, owning one is as much about the uniqueness as it is about the fit. The look sets it apart, and wearing one can feel like you’re a part of some elite group. The catch is the price. Retailing for $130, it’s not exactly what some would call an easy buy.

“I think it’s good, but I don’t think it’s good enough for it to be over $100,” senior Gabby Scherr said. “It was a justifiable purchase because I really had wanted one for a while, but if someone’s not sure I would probably not recommend it because it’s such a big purchase.”

That kind of price tag makes students second guess whether they’re paying for actual quality or just the label. Some save up for months to get one, while others roll their eyes and skip it entirely.

On the other end of the price spectrum are Owala water bottles. These bottles have become the latest must have after Hydro Flasks and Stanleys, thanks to their flip top spout and bright colors.

“It comes out of the bottle really smoothly,” freshman Jaco

b Mann said. “It’s pretty easy to carry around with the handle and stuff.”
Part of the reason Owalas spread so quickly is that they’re both practical and cheap enough to justify. They still signal you’re in touch with the newest craze, but unlike a $100 sweatshirt they’re something you can use all day everyday.

“It’s not that expensive,” Mann said. “Lots of members of my family have it. I think I felt peer pressure to buy one because of my family.”

Despite having perfectly good water bottles before, students find themselves drawn to Owalas because of the fact that the people they surround themselves with have them.

“I bought my Owala because a lot of my friends had one and I wanted one too,” sophomore Lizzie Robinson said.

Even something as simple as a water bottle ends up carrying social pressure when everyone around you has the same one.
Then there are Labubus, which might be the most debated trend right now. The wide-eyed and sharp-toothed little creatures show up on backpacks and car mirrors, but not everyone is a fan.

“I don’t like them,” senior Ian Perry said. “What’s the point? If you’re older, then you don’t need a stuffed animal in your purse. It’s all peer pressure. It’s social media and pressure.”

That kind of reaction is common. A lot of students see the

m as pointless and overpriced, something people buy only to keep up appearances. Still, not everyone is against them. The big draw for some is the mystery element that you don’t know which Labubu you’re getting until you open the package.

“People buy them because of the thrill of getting new ones,” senior Akeem Baruwa said.

That surprise factor has made the figurines addictive for certain collectors, even as others think they look like little monsters.

“They’re terrifyingly weird, but they’re cute all at the same time,” health teacher Paula Cross said. “I think it’s a trend, and I think it’s probably gonna go, but in the meantime, whoever created it is making some bank.”

The mix of love, hate and confusion around these three trends shows how much hasn’t changed. Clothing brands like PARKE echo the days of White Fox and Nike. Water bottles like Owala follow Hydro Flasks and Stanleys. Collectibles like Labubus bring back memories of Shopkins or Beanie Boos.

Trends will always come and go, but the cycle stays the same. Some people genuinely like the product, some buy it because everyone else has it and some just don’t get it. Right now, PARKE, Owala and Labubus are in the spotlight, but by next year, the hallway conversation could be about something totally new.