Snackwave is a fashion trend that was popular in the mid-2010s, characterized by the use of imagery depicting fast food, snack items, and other highly processed foods. The style involves wearing clothing and accessories featuring patterns of items like pizza and burgers, or the branding of fast-food chains. Coined in 2014 by writers Hazel Cills and Gabrielle Noone, Snackwave emerged in an online environment where wellness and health-conscious food trends were also highly visible.[1] The aesthetic is defined by a maximalist visual approach and a humorous attitude toward food consumption.
History[]
Snackwave originated within online communities, particularly on Tumblr and through the website The Hairpin. It developed in contrast to the concurrent rise of online wellness culture, which promoted specific diets and lifestyles. The aesthetic was characterized by the open and celebratory depiction of foods often excluded from popular health trends.[1]
The trend was also heavily inspired by the "Cool Girl" trope prevalent in early 2010s media, embodied by characters like Liz Lemon from 30 Rock or fictional figures like Juno, who effortlessly consumed junk food while remaining witty and conventionally attractive.[1] The aesthetic was quickly adopted by celebrities, which propelled it into the mainstream. Katy Perry became a major icon of the style, with her candy-themed tour costumes and pizza-print onesies. Other celebrities like Beyoncé, Cara Delevingne, and Jennifer Lawrence were also photographed wearing snack-themed outfits.[2]
Fashion and Visuals[]
Snackwave directly uses junk food as its central motif. The core of the fashion is clothing printed with hyper-realistic or cartoonish images of fast food and snack items. Pizza (particularly pepperoni pizza) became the most recognizable pattern of the trend, appearing on a wide range of garments including T-shirts, leggings, and onesies.[2]
The style was present in both affordable mass-market items and high-fashion collections. Designer Jeremy Scott, for instance, created a notable collection for Moschino that was directly inspired by the branding of McDonald's.[2] In addition to clothing, the aesthetic was expressed through accessories like themed backpacks and novelty phone cases.
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Snackwave: A Comprehensive Guide To The Internet’s Saltiest Meme" on medium.com
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Snackwave: clothes you could almost eat" on irishtimes.com