They're hanging from backpacks, lined on shelves or dangling from necklace chains. Regardless of whether you find them in your local store or in your own bedroom, there's no denying that trinkets are back.
Strolling into your campus Urban Outfitters will have you bombarded with cute paraphernalia like Sonny Angels, Miffy blind boxes or Calico Critters. It might elicit the question: why are we so obsessed with little objects? As adulthood becomes a dreary, beige-tinted image, Gen Z's emerging adults are searching for something more visually appealing to fill the void.
This resurgence of color could be a response to the stressors of adulthood that are only becoming more intense for young people, like inflation, global warming and overall safety. When darkness emerges, color will always find a way — even if it is through the form of a figurine.
"I feel like there's a revival of childhood cartoons and stuff like that," said Sam Bouchie, a sophomore studying mechanical engineering. "I think a lot of it's nostalgia and also the ideas of cultivating an aesthetic."
These little objects take up little space, but when crowded on a bedroom shelf or heavily stocked in local markets, they can project an image of overconsumption. Trinkets are a hot commodity for fashion brands to start incorporating into their markets. Even small businesses are participating.
This commercial success can beg the question whether this phenomenon is fueled by the consumers' interest or by the pioneers of overconsumption. Many agree with the latter.
"There's an aspect of collecting that makes me scared of consumerism," said Evie Henry, a sophomore studying materials science and engineering. "But it honestly just boils down to, if I see it and it makes me happy, I like to surround myself with those kinds of things."
READ MORE: The Cost of fitting in: The phenomenon of fast fashion and overconsumption in college
But in the end, trinkets aren't something that hold bad intentions — at least from the people buying them. They help us to express ourselves and show solidarity with others who share similar interests, a process that connects us back to a pure and childlike state of being.
"It cultivates an atmosphere that reflects me," said Jordan Payne, a sophomore studying mechanical engineering. "I look around my room or my living space, and I'm like, I'm here, bro."
It is easy to imagine that trinkets will experience an even higher rise in popularity after the results of the 2024 election. Many young people have felt confused, angry or depressed, and retail therapy is temporarily curing these difficult feelings.
"It's like when a bird picks up a bunch of shiny stuff and puts it around their nest (and) shows the other birds." said Payne.
After all, a Sonny Angel isn't going to demand anything from you. It's just going to sit on your shelf, with a cute, innocent smile on its plastic face. If the fourteen-dollar purchase holds up its promise, you might just smile back.
Edited by Andrew Dirst, Sophia Ramirez and Madeline Schmitke.
Reach the reporter at ebmosier@asu.edu and follow @eleribmosier on X.
Like The State Press on Facebook and follow @statepress on X.
Eleri is a senior studying interdisciplinary studies, english and sociology. This is her second semester with The State Press. She has also worked in retail.
