Ok I’ve been noticing this for a while (e.g “Al dente” t shirt that was circling IG a bit ago). At the risk of turning this topic from fun to decidedly less fun, a couple things that are nagging at my brain:
1. Is there some kind of fat phobic joke going on wherein superthin (traditional sample size) (read: morally superior) women wear merch of “fattening” (read: morally inferior) food in an ironic way?
1a. Anybody else remember the Kate Upton cheeseburger ads?
1b. Anybody in larger bodies wearing food merch?
1b1. If so, are you getting positive or negative feedback on it?
2. As a person recovering from a fraught relationship with food and body image, I’m steering clear of all of this (except for those Matisse-esque papercut-style fruit silhouettes that are so abstract they’re no longer really food)
Ok SUCH a good point and honestly I can see it being done in a “haha imagine if I REALLY ate cheeseburgers” kind of way so I could see it being interpreted as quirky for sample size girls… but I’d love to get additional viewpoints on this! And thank you for bringing attention to this because it is something that’s definitely a subconscious reaction (not saying it’s good, but it’s definitely there)
I loved this article but how did sardines end up getting a bad rap?! I have loved sardines (anchovies, mackerel etc) - fresh and tinned - since the beginning of time. I have a stack of tins in my pantry that I throw on a salad at least once a week. Rich in flavour and nutrients, they are the giver of life!!
The sardine thing feels like it could be a niche spinoff (derivative?) of the whole 50s Italian picnic and food iconography thing that’s also concurrently happening. (capri, Italian typography, stripes, lemons, etc)
Emotionally, this somehow evokes vintage European Coastal culture in general -like Spain and Portugal which leads to/includes sardines and tinned fish
I don’t know if I’m explaining this clearly but to me it makes sense that it’s all in the same lane
Because being able to both afford good fresh food and have the taste or “class” to appreciate it is the new version of aspirational. It’s like when everyone really wanted to like Negronis last year. Liking them meant you had better taste then a girl drinking a cosmo or a beer or whatever was “basic” then. (This doesn’t apply to hotdogs but I thinks it’s true of olives, tomatoes, and certainly tinned fish.) just my interpretation.
I have been thinking of this so much! How have they actually tricked me into thinking sardines are chic 🥲 I do love all the tomatoes and olives though
Right!? I would never buy sardines but somehow I’ve been convinced I should wear them
Ok I’ve been noticing this for a while (e.g “Al dente” t shirt that was circling IG a bit ago). At the risk of turning this topic from fun to decidedly less fun, a couple things that are nagging at my brain:
1. Is there some kind of fat phobic joke going on wherein superthin (traditional sample size) (read: morally superior) women wear merch of “fattening” (read: morally inferior) food in an ironic way?
1a. Anybody else remember the Kate Upton cheeseburger ads?
1b. Anybody in larger bodies wearing food merch?
1b1. If so, are you getting positive or negative feedback on it?
2. As a person recovering from a fraught relationship with food and body image, I’m steering clear of all of this (except for those Matisse-esque papercut-style fruit silhouettes that are so abstract they’re no longer really food)
2a. Anyone wanna unpack this with me?
Clarification point: “steering clear “ fully out of fear, not bc I’m mad at anyone leaning into what is also a fun and whimsical trend
Ok SUCH a good point and honestly I can see it being done in a “haha imagine if I REALLY ate cheeseburgers” kind of way so I could see it being interpreted as quirky for sample size girls… but I’d love to get additional viewpoints on this! And thank you for bringing attention to this because it is something that’s definitely a subconscious reaction (not saying it’s good, but it’s definitely there)
Also chili peppers! I’ve seen those a lot. Perhaps it’s in line with the pop of red and the everyone’s fav spicy marg
Literally restacked with the note that I can’t believe I missed chili peppers! The number of fine line mini pepper tattoos I saw a few years ago…
Also packaged chorizo! Another long time staple in our household 🫣
Now THIS is the giver of life!!!
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I loved this article but how did sardines end up getting a bad rap?! I have loved sardines (anchovies, mackerel etc) - fresh and tinned - since the beginning of time. I have a stack of tins in my pantry that I throw on a salad at least once a week. Rich in flavour and nutrients, they are the giver of life!!
I think the idea of them has just always kind of freaked me out but you make a strong argument! Is it time I finally try them??
YESSSSSS!!! Sardines, anchovies, etc…. !!
The sardine thing feels like it could be a niche spinoff (derivative?) of the whole 50s Italian picnic and food iconography thing that’s also concurrently happening. (capri, Italian typography, stripes, lemons, etc)
Emotionally, this somehow evokes vintage European Coastal culture in general -like Spain and Portugal which leads to/includes sardines and tinned fish
I don’t know if I’m explaining this clearly but to me it makes sense that it’s all in the same lane
Oh absolutely! And especially in the US, we have this very romanticized view of Europe in general and a desire to match this “euro-girl” aesthetic
Because being able to both afford good fresh food and have the taste or “class” to appreciate it is the new version of aspirational. It’s like when everyone really wanted to like Negronis last year. Liking them meant you had better taste then a girl drinking a cosmo or a beer or whatever was “basic” then. (This doesn’t apply to hotdogs but I thinks it’s true of olives, tomatoes, and certainly tinned fish.) just my interpretation.
This is a really good take and I will now be thinking about this a lot
Kendall this is hilarious and also so insanely accurate. Hot Dog girl 😂 I love her though I can’t be her!
Things get more unhinged every day! It’s exhausting and also kind of hilarious
Loved all of this! Trying to think of what niche food item I’m betting on for fall..
I’m sure it will be something none of us expect but I can’t wait to see😂