Button Phones, Exfluencers, and Gen Z Dating: Top Trends of 2026
Embracing the Future: Trends to Watch in 2026
The New Year is often seen as a fresh start, but we suggest shifting the timeline slightly. To ease back into the routine after a long break, it’s ideal to gradually change habits and prepare for what 2026 has in store. The modern world is evolving rapidly, and the next 12 months will be unlike any before. While 2025 was marked by the rise of artificial intelligence, the clash between Gen Z and Baby Boomers, and the popularity of Labubu, 2026 will be characterized by a pursuit of tranquility and silence. The New York Times has made predictions for the future, and we’re here to share the trends that are already making waves.
Button Phones: A Nostalgic Comeback
In recent years, digital detoxes have gained significant popularity. For many, turning off their phones after work has become a basic necessity, while the ultimate luxury is leaving the phone untouched during weekends and vacations, except perhaps for taking a few memorable photos. The constant stream of anxiety-inducing news, images of “successful success,” and notifications that disrupt concentration have turned smartphones from helpers into foes.
This shift has led to a surge in the sales of “bricks” or “dialers,” more commonly known as button phones. If you’ve been longing to dive back into the glamorous era and own a bedazzled pink flip phone like Paris Hilton’s, now is the perfect time. Moreover, experts warn that smartphones significantly impair cognitive functions, so it’s better to swap late-night reels for Sudoku, crosswords, or reading books.
Gen Z Dating: A Shift Towards Offline Romance
Gen Z is currently the most discussed generation, surrounded by numerous stereotypes. One such stereotype suggests that all Gen Z individuals are loners who view official marriage as meaningless and see little value in traditional romantic relationships. Previously, experts attributed this rejection of relationships to Gen Z’s difficulty in communicating in the real world, having grown up in a virtual one. However, the situation is beginning to change.
To momentarily escape the problems of the real world, many are seeking romance and passionate love, including Gen Z. Interestingly, they prefer to meet offline—at lectures, exhibitions, parties, and sports clubs.
No to Slop, Yes to Wabi-Sabi
In December 2025, Merriam-Webster named “slop” the word of the year. Slop refers to low-quality digital content, usually generated by AI. To understand the concept of slop, one only needs to recall the viral “Tralalelo Tralala” and “Bombardiro Crocodile”—in early 2025, social media was flooded with these, and watching a couple of short videos could make one’s brain feel like it was melting.
Within a year, slop became so tiresome that many are now boycotting AI-generated content. In the future, content inspired by the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi will gain popularity. Creators will find inspiration in simple, often imperfect things—such as nature.
Marketing Everywhere
Remember the marketing campaign for the “Barbie” movie in 2023? The film was on everyone’s lips, with Margot Robbie appearing in public almost daily in a new shade of pink, and Ryan Gosling singing “I’m Just Ken” from every corner. The campaign’s success was evident—nearly $1.5 billion in global box office revenue and several Oscar nominations. However, audiences grew somewhat weary of the relentless promotion.
Experts say this is just the beginning, and soon all significant Hollywood projects will be launched with similar fanfare. This is evident with “Marty Magnificent,” which everyone is talking about. Experts predict that film characters will soon have their own social media accounts, bringing them even closer to the real world.
Dramas Around the White House
Love TV series? The most popular one in 2026 will be the real-time drama unfolding around Donald Trump. Political experts suggest that the U.S. president will be the main source of breaking news, not just related to international relations.
What tonal cream does he use to cover up bruises on his hands before official meetings? Why does his wife Melania look happy at some events and display a perfect Slavic stare at others? What will be his daughter Ivanka’s next bold statement, or will she leave politics altogether? “The Biden era was calm, and it’s over,” is how the internet describes the current situation.
Exfluencers: The Rise of Authenticity
A few years ago, images of a luxurious life on social media could still impress. Influencers showcased vacations at top resorts, private jet travels, breakfasts with black caviar, shopping sprees at luxury boutiques, and people believed them. However, after several major scandals, the tide has turned. It was revealed that a Chanel bag could be bought at a flea market, a private jet photo could be staged, and millions in unpaid taxes could be hidden.
Trust in influencers has plummeted, and the void is being filled by exfluencers—bloggers who show real life, from cooking and hiking to cleaning and grocery shopping, without inducing Fear of Missing Out (FOMO).
The No Buy Trend: A New Level of Conscious Consumption
The No Buy trend is not new, but in 2026, it will reach new heights. Previously, Gen Z avoided luxury purchases and expensive gadgets, but now they have compiled stricter blacklists of forbidden items. No extra clothes, cosmetics, jewelry, alcohol, subscriptions to paid services, taxis, food deliveries, restaurants, beauty salons, books, or any other non-essential items. The main goal is savings, but it’s also about mindfulness and liberation from excess.
The key to the No Buy trend is not to set overly strict limits, as excessive restrictions can lead to breakdowns and impulsive shopping. What do you find hardest to give up? Share in the comments!
