100-Teen Poll: What Is Really Cool to Purchase in 2021?

We surveyed high schoolers around the country. Here,xix takeaways about how teens shop.

Photograph-Illustration: by The Strategist; Photos from Amazon, Women Fitness, Ulta Beauty, Levi's, Peepers, Nordstrom, Mango, Chunks, Nintendo, Getty, @dejafoxx, @menswearsoph, @goodwoodx, @k2sneaks, @dojashaw

Photo-Illustration: by The Strategist; Photos from Amazon, Women Fitness, Ulta Beauty, Levi's, Peepers, Nordstrom, Mango, Chunks, Nintendo, Getty, @dejafoxx, @menswearsoph, @goodwoodx, @k2sneaks, @dojashaw

Photo-Analogy: by The Strategist; Photos from Amazon, Women Fitness, Ulta Dazzler, Levi's, Peepers, Nordstrom, Mango, Chunks, Nintendo, Getty, @dejafoxx, @menswearsoph, @goodwoodx, @k2sneaks, @dojashaw

When nosotros final polled a hundred or then teens near their shopping habits — 2 years and a pandemic ago — American Eagle mom jeans were the thing, as were square sunglasses. From our puddle of responders (78 percentage of whom identified every bit female, vi per centum every bit male, 5 percent every bit nonbinary, and 11 per centum didn't specify), we learned a lot tin change in a couple of years, and we're not just talking most the fact that Levi's are at present the preferred denim make. Perhaps the biggest evolution since nosotros last canvassed this age group has been the emergence of TikTok as, essentially, an adolescent HSN. The platform has inspired purchases of everything from Hydro Seal Band-Aids and Highland moo-cow stickers to Chromatica Oreos and weighted Hula-Hoops. Another big source of inspiration: micro-influencers, who came upwardly more than in this year'south poll than huge stars like Kendall Jenner or Hailey Bieber did in the 2019 version. As for what's stayed the same, Brandy Melville and all things Nike are as popular as e'er; and Glossier mostly is, too, although a dazzler brand that's hot on its tail is The Ordinary — teens seem to be reading their ingredient labels more than and more than closely. And, significantly, the '90s-inspired claw clip has snuck upwardly on the '80s-inspired scrunchie — the look right at present, according to one teen, is that Phoebe Buffay–esque "wacky merely cool archetype."

If you consider a sweatshirt a "peak," then yeah, that was technically the winning manner in this year's poll — as 49 per centum of teens reported it as their most-worn detail for Zoom schoolhouse. But otherwise, at the opposite end of the silhouette spectrum, the superlative-top mentioned most (by an enthusiastic ten percent of respondents) was the corset. We heard nearly "the Bridgerton corset," owned by teen Carley; a Victoria'due south Clandestine version noted by Zoë; an Urban Outfitters one bought by Mimi C.; and this Amazon find by Dylan, who said the buy was inspired past TikTok, considering "I was not in the best place with my body and I felt that these would make me more confident …[It'south] decently good quality, although I can't completely breathe in it."

Zhitunemi Women's Satin Underbust Corset

In reply to the question: What is the item of clothing you lot've worn most this year? Sweatpants were the most common response for bottoms (no surprise in light of quarantine, of course). When pressed to name the virtually comfortable sweatpants, specifically, the answers barbarous all across the price spectrum.

Fruit of the Loom Men's Elastic Bottom Sweatpant
Brandy Melville Rosa Sweatpants
Aviator Nation 5 Stripe Sweatpant

Graphic: by The Strategist

A respondent named Aida bought this Hula-Hoop later on seeing information technology on TikTok. "I like it because it's not an intense workout and instead it's a more relaxed one you do for a long period of time," she says. "I watch TV while I exercise it sometimes." Just don't look to magically get a waist like the girl in the video, Aida says: "Definitely not the realistic issue of hula-hooping for, similar, 30 mins a day." Plus, she added, TikToks like that one "are quite triggering," and the platform is "very toxic when it comes to body positivity."

 Auoxer Fitness Exercise Weighted Hoops

Sixteen per centum of teens said they purchased bluish-lite glasses to brand Zoom school easier. Ava bought this pair from Peepers considering she was "getting pretty bad headaches every solar day doing altitude learning," which was September through April. So far, she says, "They're really quite comfortable and non heavy or tight. The artillery have a really wide rotation so they don't stretch when I put them up on my head."

Peepers Center Stage Blue Light Glasses

As teen Claudio put it, LED strip lights are "a fun alternative to conventional lighting and very laid-dorsum for a night in with friends." And, aye, they do happen to be very TikTok-friendly considering of their versatility (you tin can stick them pretty much anywhere) and color-changing options that tend to catch your middle more than dainty twinkle lights.

Philips Hue Bluetooth Smart Lightstrip Plus 1-Meter Extension With Plug

Although square sunglasses received some strong endorsements in our concluding poll, teens this time skewed more in the ovaloid direction. Ava feels "funky" in this pair from Mango; Caroline just bought this pair from Urban Outfitters; and Mimi H. and Leigh store at Shein for theirs. "Shein has been upping their sunnies game," Mimi says.

Mango Rounded Sunglasses

They ranked loftier on the coolness scale (pictured below), and one of the go-to brands is Free People, according to teen Mimi C., who said that her friends and teachers also buy them hither; another fan named Caroline has been eying the ones specifically for thick pilus at Kōv; and Margot said to get that "Phoebe Buffay or whatsoever daughter who fits the wacky artistic-but-absurd archetype" await, she goes to Chunks or Lisa Says Gah.

Graphic: by The Strategist

Teens still dear Glossier — 31 pct of teens surveyed telephone call it their favorite dazzler brand — only in terms of pare care, they seem to prefer archetype drugstore brand Neutrogena forth with The Ordinary, which launched in 2016 with a focus on straightforward formulations and not so awash in millennial-pinkish packaging. "I beloved The Ordinary's products because they are not too expensive and consist of simple ingredients," says Ciara, who likes its hyaluronic acid the most. Dylan thinks the brand makes it easy for skin-care newcomers to experiment with unlike ingredients, and says it'southward a pace in a higher place drugstore brands for a comparable price. "My favorite so far is the Caffeine Solution. This is because I never get enough sleep and I similar to make information technology look like I do," she adds. Information technology'southward also the preferred brand of ex-Glossier superfan Margot: "I used to like [Glossier] more than but they are kinda outdated and boring now," she said. "They continue releasing boring products that are but copies of each other."

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

A breakdown from 15-year-old Jaden, pilus entrepreneur and viral TikToker, on the products she uses for herself and her (mostly teen) clients.

Heart lemonade braids by Jaden, which she says is i of her almost requested styles right now. Photo: Jay Marie Stylez

Ampro Pro Styl Shine 'N Jam Conditioning Gel

"I use this to keep the braids really neat and make my parts crisp and precise.

Nairobi Wrapp-It Shine Foaming Lotion

"When I'one thousand done, there may exist a couple pieces of hair sticking out, just when I put this on there, it always lays downward the flyaways, and it doesn't flake."

Style Factor Edge Booster Strong Hold Water-Based Pomade

"Edge Booster properly slicks downwardly edges. This is the perfect extreme hold for all pilus types."

Cottagecore, a back-to-the-state aesthetic that peddles in picnics, frilly dresses, and crafting, took over during the pandemic — most of the teens nosotros spoke to say information technology's the superior cadre.

Graphic: by The Strategist

LoveShackFancy Chai Mini Dress
LoveShackFancy Desra Silk Mini Dress

The platform is the reason our respondents said they bought everything from fake buttons that make jeans fit better to a hat that "is then much fun to throw on," whether it's "while driving" or "in therapy." TikTok also inspired their purchases of Chromatica Oreos, Pit Viper sunglasses, Velcro hair rollers, Flintts Mints, Squishmallows, and a gua sha, too. But equally for the TikTok products that were mentioned most, those would be Hydro Seal Band-Aids (every bit an acne-treatment hack), the Revlon hot-air brush for super-smooth blowouts, and LED strip lights (see above).

Graphic: by The Strategist

A substantial departure between this year's poll and the 1 nosotros did ii years agone is that teens, when asked to name the people who most inspire their shopping habits, seemed far less interested in big celebrities and influencers with millions of followers (similar, say, Devon Lee Carlson). Instead, they tended to bring up smaller social-media presences with follower counts in the 10,000 to 200,000 range. We talked to a handful of these so-chosen micro-influencers to find out what items accept gotten them the most engagement after posting about them organically (no make amalgamation involved).

Cailey Ork: "They're from the boys' department at Walmart."

Wrangler Boys 4-16 & Husky Stretch Cargo Pants

Sophia Jaramillo: "I purchased them from Pretty Little Thing a while back! Unfortunately the verbal pair I take aren't available anymore, just these are similar in fit and style, they're only cream."

PrettyLittleThing Cream Pu Ribbed Detail Chunky Sole Sock Ankle Boots

Deja Foxx: "I posted about my experience with the [Nexplanon birth control] implant and had so many people in my comments and DMs sharing their own stories, asking questions, and wanting to know more. Some shoppable products that get along with that: flex menstrual disks, which are a must when switching nativity controls; sustain condoms because the implant doesn't protect against STIs; and Curology, which helped me keep my skin in cheque with hormone changes."

Sustain Ultra Thin Latex Condoms

Sophie Wood: "Some of my most asked about items are my NY/LA hat from Holiday the Brand (resale from Grailed) and my VonDutch hat (from eBay). One of my nearly major fashion staples is adding men'southward hats to my outfits; I commonly find them in the men's department, in my boyfriend's closet, or by thrifting."

Holiday Brand NY LA Holiday Hat in Green

Doja Henshaw: "I got bombarded with questions about this cream silk clothes. I typically wear it with my pearl Vivienne Westwood necklace, an oversized leather jacket and heels or my platform Docs depending on my mood! I honey the feel of the silk and how it's on the thicker side, so non see-through at all or wrinkle-prone."

[Editor's Notation: Doja's dress from REYÈM is currently sold out, merely this one from Fleur du Mal is like.]

Fleur du Mal Cowl Neck Slip Dress

Kaleb Keller: "The one question I go the most is 'Where do you become your pants?' After posting a photo wearing some vintage Ralph Lauren cargo pants I got a lot of comments request this question. Unfortunately, there is no directly link. Most of my favorite pants are sourced from secondhand/vintage stores. I love sourcing vintage pieces because I feel that they are unique, timeless, and commonly great quality."

Polo Ralph Lauren Vintage Military Brown Cargo Pants

Lauren Wolfe: "I similar to habiliment cowboy boots with all kinds of outfits from summer dresses to shorts, and anytime of the year. While some all-leather boots can exist really expensive, you lot tin buy them secondhand, or there are also constructed ones that are much more affordable that besides look dandy."

ROPER Women's Riley Western Boot

Kate Glavan: "Everyone is request nigh what's on my feet for my runs around NYC!"

Hoka One One Women's Bondi 7

Alivia McKenzie: "The items I get asked near about are probably my sweatshirt and sweatsuit from @okaytorest. They are a small female-owned brand out of Vancouver with thoughtful messaging and the perfect relaxed fit."

Okay to Rest Universe Hoodie

Magda: "When I showtime started wearing these rings, simply before the brand got huge, I was getting a lot of DMs from people asking where they're from and how they could get their hands on i — some people even asked if they could purchase them off me since they were selling out so quick."

La Manso Pinky Promise Ring

Brandy Melville came up the almost in response to the question: "What is your favorite clothing make?" with xiv percent of the votes, and more than than a dozen mentions elsewhere in the poll. The label, per the teens, let them try out trends for inexpensive, though many were quick to inform us that they weren't fond of its less-than-ideal sustainability practices: "I love the clothing, but I don't love the brand because of unethical practices," said Mercedes of Brandy Melville. "Their stuff is only really cute, and it sucks," said Alyssa.

Brandy Melville Connor Tank
Brandy Melville Christy Hoodie

While non mentioned quite every bit much as Brandy — and more so for accessories than clothes — Shein did come up up frequently, likewise, for the same trend-focused reasons. And its price points happen to be fifty-fifty lower.

Shein Yin & Yang Pattern Heart Shaped Earrings
Shein Allover Print Bandana Halter Top

When it comes to buying and selling online, Depop still reigns over the other platforms, a takeaway that hasn't changed since our terminal poll in 2019.

Graphic: by The Strategist

Although more than expensive than, say, Shein, several teens said they like the quality and sustainability of Ana Luisa pieces, specifically its chain necklaces, which Sophia called "easy to layer." They also come in a pearl option, which was indicated multiple times elsewhere in the poll as the gemstone of option these days.

Ana Luisa Esme Slim Necklace
Ana Luisa Mini Naomi Necklace

Scrolling through the responses nigh the best thing teens say they've splurged on, a trio of Gucci items emerged.

Gucci GG Pattern Tights
Gucci Brixton Horsebit Convertible Loafer
Gucci Eden Small Backpack

With the popularity of shoes similar Air Force 1s and Air Jordans, we're not surprised to see Nike keep a comfortable lead over Converse and the others.

Graphic: by The Strategist

The Strategist is designed to surface the well-nigh useful, good recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments , rolling baggage , pillows for side sleepers , natural anxiety remedies , and bath towels . We update links when possible, but notation that deals can elapse and all prices are subject to change.

100-Teen Poll: What Is Actually Cool to Buy in 2021?