People love to keep track of the latest celebrity fashions. We buy fashion magazines, stalk Hollywood gossip blogs, and watch E! to get our latest fix on what celebrities are up to. And we love to copy their fashion habits as well. It seems the moment someone like Orlando Bloom dons a new hat, everyone in my town is also wearing it.
So why is it we are so drawn to whatever it is celebrities are wearing? And why have celebrities started wearing Rubber Bracelets of various colors? And is this going to start a new fashion trend, that might not be as new as we think?
Copycat
So why do we love to copy celebrities? Well, there are a number of reasons. The first is, of course, status. Our society has placed a significant value on celebrities, assuming they are above us all in social status. This does play on a larger issue of class division. But in terms of fashion, those in the upper echelons of society have always dictated what is fashionable and what isn’t.
So copying the latest fashion dictated by celebrities is a way to feel connected to our favorite stars. It allows us, for a moment, to imagine we are part of that world. And it makes sense. One of the most common dreams people have is to be a famous Hollywood star, attending glamorous red carpet events and being the talk of the town.
The Rubber Bracelets
So why is the latest trend rubber bracelets? And is it actually a new trend?
The truth is, it isn’t. You might remember some time ago, in the early 2000s, that these rubber bracelets were all the rage. You couldn’t visit a single shop without them being on display by the till. But what was the purpose of these wristbands?
They were actually for charity purposes. Many different charities produced these branded silicone wrist bands. The idea was two-fold. The profits for their sales would go directly to the charity to help those less fortunate. And the bands themselves would raise awareness as people wore them, essentially providing free advertising.
They blew up when they first arrived on the scene. People were competing to see who could buy and flaunt the most wristbands. And while their motivations for buying them may not have been pure, the money still went to a good cause no matter what.
Resurgence
So why have these rubber bands suddenly reappeared now. And why is it Hollywood celebrities that are leading the charge on this?
Times are tough. No one can deny that. And the world is seemingly getting worse by the day. And those who were suffering before and now harder hit by the effects of poverty and political turmoil. And because of that, it seems charity organizations are doubling their efforts to raise awareness and funds.
And celebrities are some of the most charitable people on the planet. While you could argue they only donate as a PR stunt, you can’t deny the good their donations do. And they are experts are raising awareness and getting the public involved.
So it makes sense they would be the first to adopt the rubber wristband trend again. It is twofold. They are giving money to charity and using their significant influence in the world of fashion to get the general public back on board. And already we have seen the effects of this awareness campaign. Oxfam has reported that, since the rubber wristbands made a resurgence, charitable donations have increased by ten percent. Which is a fantastic start to what we hope is a new wave of charity.