What’s In and What’s Out as We Head into 2024
A look at the trends we're anticipating, and those we're super excited to bid adieu to (hello wasians, buh-bye nepo babies)
Words by Vandana Pawa
New Years is a time ripe with opportunity. We have the chance to welcome new people and relationships into our lives, as well as set new goals and intentions for ourselves. With every ending also comes the opportunity to check in on what worked and what didn’t. With this energy of renewal in mind, JoySauce took stock of everything that happened this year and made some decisions about what we collectively need to leave behind in 2023, and what we’re going to embrace in the new year. Here’s everything that’s in and out for 2024:
IN: Emeralds
We’re welcoming the Chinese Zodiac’s Year of the Dragon, specifically the Green Wood Dragon, in 2024. This fantastical animal is embodied by a deep, rich, and bold emerald green color. As a gemstone, emeralds represent an energy of abundance and refinement, with a special connection to the Earth. This year, emerald green is in, whether it's in jewelry, clothing, or home decor—we’re channeling the vitality of the green dragon even if we don’t actually feel all that rich or bold. Fake it til you make it, right?
OUT: Nepo Baby Discourse
"The Archies" features a number of Bollywood nepo babies.
Courtesy of Netflix
Nepo babies had a big year. Netizens were uncovering entire family trees rooted in nepotism for the first time as children of the rich and famous had their big debuts, major successes, and undeniable flops. They went viral for wearing “nepo baby” t-shirts in paparazzi snaps, gave interviews where they explored how sad the label made them, and did some of their best work in convincing audiences that they work really hard, too, okay? Alas, the discourse surrounding their work, and whether or not they deserve their success, appears never ending. In 2024, we’re leaving the conversation behind for something more exciting, like whether or not they have “smartphone face” rather than their mom’s face.
IN: Wasian Art
Olivia Rodrigo attends Universal Music Group’s 2023 Grammy after party on Feb. 5, 2023 in Los Angeles.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Wasians have seen a major pop culture come up in the last few years, whether it was in movies, music, TV, or books. Could you go anywhere without hearing an Olivia Rodrigo song? If you haven’t read Michelle Zauner’s memoir yet, where have you been? And don’t deny it, Charles Melton is all over your FYP these days too. This year, Rodrigo told Rolling Stone that Zauner and fellow musician Karen O were “the coolest girls in the music industry,” which led Zauner to proclaim the three of them as the “cool wasian club.” In 2024, we’re bringing the cool wasian artists to the front.
OUT: Designer mahjong sets
Haven’t you ever wished that your family’s at-home mahjong set was made in Italy, wrapped in saffiano leather, and stamped in repeated logos? Me neither. Last year, gift guides across the world were littered with designer mahjong sets by the likes of Prada, Hermes, and Gucci, that would set a consumer back tens of thousands of dollars. Mahjong (as we currently know it) originated in 1800s China, and has become majorly globalized since its inception. Nowadays, luxury brands seek to make versions of everyday things that are uniquely inaccessible in the name of elitism and consumption. We’re here to tell you that it’s okay if your mahjong tiles aren’t made of mahogany.
IN: Sanrio-core
Hello Kitty is officially turning 50 in 2024, which means we’re ready to celebrate her (and her friends) all year long. Cuteness is officially back in—from Sonny Angels to Squishmallows, everybody wants to collect the world's most adorable clutter, and we’re totally here for it. Each character in the Sanrio universe has their own story and aesthetic, but connecting the world together is an emphasis on soft textures and bright colors, which is the cozy vibe we need going into the new year. Jewelry, clothing, kitchenware, and knick knacks in all forms—go ahead, let Keroppi, Kuromi, and Pochacco into your home.
OUT: Micro-anything
Small is over. Micro-bags that can hardly fit your keys? Out. Dainty and demure micro-jewelry? Out. Teeny tiny hidden micro-tattoos? Out. This year, we’re going to embrace maximalism, especially when it comes to expressing ourselves. Big, chunky jhumkas that slightly tug at the earlobes are in. That ludicrously capacious bag to rival Doraemon’s Obtaining Bag can come into 2024 with us, maybe bedazzled. And we’ll definitely contemplate that back tattoo. Go big or go home, right?
IN: Extreme couponing
After finding ourselves saying “in this economy?” a record amount of times this year, we’re ready to take matters into our own hands. Inflation is ravaging grocery store shelves, and there’s only one way out of this: couponing. Whether it’s finding deals online, on apps, or the old-fashioned newspaper way, 2024 is all about finding a bargain. It looks like the time has come for us to finally do the thing we said we never would: become our parents.
OUT: White guy novels
Starting in grade school, the only books you’re exposed to are the so-called great literary works of the white male canon. To this day, despite what feels like a renaissance for women and BIPOC writers, white men are still getting their books published more than anyone else. And frankly, haven’t they said enough? It’s time for a metaphorical “shhhh” to the white guy novels in the form of bookstore purchases and library checkouts. For the first time in, well, ever, stories by and about BIPOC folks are actually being sold on bookshelves in the United States. So in 2024, we’re putting away whiteness and reading those instead.
IN: Cheesy rom-coms
In "Love in Taipei," Ever Wong (left, played by Ashley Liao) meets Rick Woo (played by Ross Butler) and romance ensues.
Paramount+
Dystopian dramas are not what we need right now—isn’t real life scary enough? Why isn’t my Netflix list pouring to the brim with romantic comedies? We don’t want one a year, we want 10 a year. We deserve 10 a year. This year, lighthearted stories that make us laugh out loud and re-download dating apps for the tenth time are the priority. Bonus points if it’s starring Dev Patel.
Out: The Ivy League
Strangely enough, I've heard the question "are you aware of what's happening on ivy league campuses?" multiple times this year. The answer has always remained a resounding no, because...who cares? As these conversations continue to maintain their legitimacy, as do myths about affirmative action and model minorities. We're not bringing prestige into 2024, or the meritocratic exclusion that these institutions feed on. What's happening in the ivy-covered buildings filled with the American elite shouldn't be dominating news coverage, social media feeds, or brain cells.
Published on December 28, 2023
Words by Vandana Pawa
Art by Ryan Quan
Ryan Quan is JoySauce's social media manager, associate editor, and all-around visual eye. This queer, half-Chinese, half-Filipino writer and graphic designer loves everything related to music, creative nonfiction, and art. Based in Brooklyn, he spends most of his time dancing to hyperpop and accidentally falling asleep on the subway. Follow him on Instagram at @ryanquans, and check out his work on his website.