Podcast Summary: "labubus and white tank tops, trendy or timeless"

Podcast: anything goes with emma chamberlain
Host: emma chamberlain
Episode Date: August 24, 2025

Episode Overview

Emma Chamberlain returns to her "Trendy or Timeless" series, breaking down which current fashion and lifestyle trends are destined to be fleeting fads and which ones might quietly persist through the ages. She analyzes listener-submitted and personally researched trends, offering her candid, humorous, and reflective takes on each. In a period where microtrends dominate and the overall zeitgeist feels saturated, Emma finds herself surprisingly optimistic about the longevity of many trends.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Evolving Trend Cycle & Her Methodology

• Emma's Take: The trend cycle feels slower now, with most “new” things feeling recycled. It's harder to pinpoint distinct trends, possibly due to her being less “chronically online” or simply because everything has already cycled through.
• She used a combination of her own research, fashion publications, YouTube "trend roundups," and listener submissions to curate today’s list.
• "It’s been hard to compile a list of new current trends over the last year or so because there just hasn’t been a lot of new stuff… it feels less defined to me nowadays." (01:35)

2. Trend Analysis: Trendy or Timeless?

Labubu (the Collectible Plush Clip-ons)

• Overview: Small, slightly “creepy cute” collectible plush keychains, often clipped onto bags.
• Emma’s View: Culturally, Labubus are a clear trend—oversaturated, preying on the urge to collect, with people waiting in hours-long lines.
• Personal Take: She likes the way they look, but is put off by the hype and extremity.
• Timeless or Trendy?
  • "Do I think they’re timeless? No… But, I do think little things that have personality like that can be timeless for the people who love them." (12:10)
  • Predicts fatigue and a decline in popularity soon, but sees potential for long-term enjoyment for true fans or as a future thrift find.
• Notable Quote:
  • "It’s a shame the culture around it is so extreme… the Labubu itself is so specific that it itself is going to lose its status symbol." (13:35)

White Tank Tops

• Catalyst: Viral after Kendall Jenner wore one; TikTok tried to source the exact tank.
• Emma’s View: Unquestionably timeless, even if the trend is hype-driven.
• Why?
  • "A white tank top is never out of style… It’s useful in so many different ways." (18:09)
• Notes the trend cycle is leading people to overthink finding the “perfect” white tank, when most already own a solid one.
• Notable Quote:
  • "It is a little bit silly that it’s trending because it’s… the most basic piece of clothing you could possibly imagine. But I actually don’t think it’s a harmful trend." (19:56)

Polka Dots & Stripes

• Current State: Both are “in,” with specific emphasis on black/white and red/white polka dots.
• Prediction: Both are absolutely timeless patterns, never truly out of style.
• "They’re just interesting enough to grab your attention… but simple enough to never really go out of style." (25:56)
• Plaid also gets an honorable timeless mention, though she finds it more “hit or miss.”

Butter Yellow / Pastel Yellow

• Trend Alert: Food-associated colors (cherry red, butter yellow) keep cycling.
• Her Analysis: When called “butter yellow,” it feels trendy, but as pastel yellow, it’s always around.
• Key Distinction: Neon colors are the real non-timeless ones—too bright, visually exhausting.
• "Pastel yellow is always around… it’s chic and classic." (29:30)

Athleisure as Fashion

• Context: “Pilates aesthetic,” adorable workout outfits styled for daily errands.
• Emma’s Reflection:
  • Previously, athletic and everyday wardrobes were distinctly separate. Now, athleisure feels permanent for practical reasons.
  • “It’s timeless in the sense that it’s kind of a new thing… I don’t really see us going backwards.” (33:38)
  • Certain microstyles within athleisure (overly decorative or impractical designs) are just trends.
• Quote:
  • "I actually think this might be timeless, shockingly, because it serves such a specific purpose…” (34:10)

Early 2000s ‘Chaotic’ Purses

• Examples: Chloe Paddington, Balenciaga City bag.
• Emma’s Call: Not timeless. “Chaotic,” maximalist bags are obviously trendy, have a strong aesthetic, and quickly become dated and fatiguing.
• "For brief moments in time, they make sense… but they go out of style very quickly and in a way that is visceral and not good." (41:18)

Bubble Skirts & Bloomers

• Bubble Skirts: Unique silhouette, flared and tight at ends.
  • Draws parallels to historic fashion and finds them quietly timeless—never “bold enough to be fatiguing.”
  • "Even though it’s… a specific silhouette, it has existed for a long time." (46:00)
• Bloomers: Vintage-inspired, puffy shorts or capris. Timeless if simple and neutral; loud patterns make them feel overly “of the moment.”

Mesh Flats

• Her Call: Versatile, simple, endless styling options—timeless despite saturation.
• "They are timeless… the perfect balance of having a trendy detail but could be pulled off for years to come." (53:00)

Flip Flop Heels

• Verdict: Undeniably timeless, as long as they’re minimal and not platformed.
• "That’s forever, baby. … If you buy a pair of those, you’ll be wearing them the next 10 years." (54:41)
• Clarifies that platform flip flops are the ultimate “trendy” shoe, not timeless.

Scarves & Bandanas

• Silk Scarves Used in Many Ways: Tying to bags, as tops, or as accessories—timeless if the pattern is classic; trends are driven by specific patterns (floral, fruit) rather than the item itself.
• Bandanas: Typically timeless, especially in classic colors (red), though quality is a concern (cotton > plastic feel).
• "What’s trendy is when… clothing pieces have bandana pattern on it. … Fatigues us faster than if it’s just a bandana." (59:40)

Suede

• Analysis: Generally not timeless as a trend; “rarely stands the test of time.” Most suede pieces look cheap and fit narrow aesthetics.
• "For the most part, it is trendy… not aesthetically pleasing enough to work outside of hyper specific trends." (1:03:50)

Monogrammed L.L. Bean Boat Tote

• Verdict: Timeless. Iconic, functional, always around.
• "They're incredibly functional... the design is simple, classic, has been around a long time." (1:07:14)

Oval Glasses

• Take: Utterly timeless; a standard eyeglass frame throughout history.
• "Classic shape, been around forever. It never looks out of place… just a basic accessory." (1:09:10)

Capris

• Revisiting: Has changed her mind—now sees them as timeless, though some trendy variants exist.
• "A simple pair of Capris is an incredible building block for an outfit…" (1:10:52)

Thin Eyebrows

• Status: Definitely trendy and high-risk. She likes how it looks but warns about participation due to potential regret and irreversibility.
• "It’s definitely trendy and a high risk one at that… if you pluck all your eyebrows out, it’s kind of a permanent decision." (1:13:03)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Overconsumption:
  "Collecting them all is a toxic trend that is ultimately just overconsuming." (14:00)
• On Practical Basics:
  "Sometimes understated, simple, obvious things are actually the best options." (20:35)
• On Suede:
  "You can spend a lot of money on a suede product and it will look cheap.” (1:03:32)
• On Trends Evolving:
  "Anything can be timeless if you want it to be… Or timeless things are just trending now.” (1:00:39)
• Meta-Reflection:
  “When am I gonna say something's trendy?” (59:35)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment/Trend | Timestamp | |----------------------------|-----------| | Labubu | 11:20 | | White tank tops | 17:27 | | Polka dots & stripes | 22:12 | | Butter yellow | 28:38 | | Athleisure as fashion | 32:51 | | 2000s ‘chaotic’ purses | 40:28 | | Bubble skirts | 44:47 | | Bloomers | 47:40 | | Mesh flats | 52:01 | | Flip flop heels | 54:22 | | Scarves as accessories | 56:27 | | Bandanas | 59:23 | | Suede | 1:03:11 | | L.L. Bean tote bags | 1:06:00 | | Oval glasses | 1:08:11 | | Capris | 1:10:36 | | Thin eyebrows | 1:12:34 |

Concluding Reflections

• Emma is surprised by how many currently hyped trends actually feel timeless, or at least easily made timeless. She wonders whether it’s personal growth or a sign that the trend cycle is collectively embracing classics.
• Urges listeners to be critical of trends, but also reminds them that “anything can be timeless if it fits your personal style.”
• Final word on trends: "Although apparently not right now because everything’s timeless? Maybe there’s something wrong with me. I’m scared." (1:15:30)

In short:
Emma Chamberlain thoughtfully and irreverently breaks down which fashion trends are here to stay (spoiler: most of them, with a few key exceptions). If you’re looking to calibrate your vibe for the coming year, let Emma’s blend of skepticism and optimism guide your closet.