The Uncommon Life

Trends We Loved in 2016

December 26, 2016

No one can say that 2016 is a year we’ll easily forget. In between the highs and the lows (and the revamped TV shows and movie reunions), our Instagram feeds were full of trends that made us want to de-clutter our homes, dress in head-to-toe athleisure gear, and challenge ourselves to freeze into crazy poses. Here at UncommonGoods, we fell in love with a few of these trends right alongside our customers. We took a look back at some of our favorites from the past 12 months, and provided a preview for the year ahead!

Solar System

Maybe it was because NASA’s Juno spacecraft finally reached its destination after much anticipation, or because we witnessed the largest “supermoon” in nearly 70 years, but many of us found inspiration from our place in the cosmos this year. From our Moon Phase Earrings, to our Solar System Bibb Necklace, it was clear that out-of-this-world fashion was very in.

Check out the Planet Lollipops featured in Hello Giggles’ “Out of this World Gifts for Chicks Obsessed with Outer Space.

Llamas

This year, the newest additions to our llama lineup, Lucy, Llana, and Larry (and his friends), taught us that the alpaca’s cousin is endlessly lovable.

See Llana the Llama Mug featured in Buzzfeed’s “Amazing Gifts for People Who Love Coffee.

Tacos

We can’t taco bout’ 2016 without a thumbs up for Tuesdays (and most every other day) filled with tortillas, hot sauce, and guacamole. From our Taco Truck Playhouse and Taco Dreams Mobile, to our Hot Sauce Lover Pillow and Taco and Hot Sauce Earrings, this beloved Mexican staple definitely spiced up our year.

See the Taco Booties featured in a taco-lover roundup on Delish.com.

Mismatched

There’s nothing we love more than designs that go against the norm. That’s why when we discovered Christine Schmidt’s mismatched designs, we couldn’t wait to work with her to create more canny combos. To our delight, mismatched turned out to be the perfect match for our quirky customers.

Check out the Books & Eyeglasses Mismatched Earrings on Brit + Co’s favorite holiday hostess gifts of the season.

Empowerment

Now more than ever, we’re proud to offer products that empower others to use their voice, particularly products that empower women. It’s likely you have more than a few strong women in your life, and this year has affirmed that women have the power to lift each other up, learn from one another, and stand strong together. We know that this movement is more than a passing trend, and we are committed to offering products that support one another as we continue on our journey toward a more progressive world.

We believe so strongly in female empowerment that we created a gift guide to celebrate the strong women in your life.

Smart(er) Products

With every passing day, we’re using more and more products that are transforming the way we move through our lives. During this year alone, the Aurora Smart Lighting Panels helped you to become the design masters of your domain, the LED Smart Jump Rope flashed your fitness data in mid-air while you skipped, and the Smartphone Charging Reversible Tote allowed you to always stay charged on the go. Through it all, 2016 has made us faster, smarter, and more efficient in almost everything we do.

Check out the Aurora Smart Lighting Panels in Inc.com’s “Coolest Products You Don’t Have Yet (But Will Totally Want).”

Nostalgia 

After we launched our first Kickstarter project this year for the MLB Game-Used Baseball Beanie, we met many customers who are looking for a new way to commemorate the timeless connection of America’s Pastime. If the popularity of pop culture reunions is any indicator, sports fans aren’t the only ones craving creative ways to preserve memories. Whether it’s reminiscing about your favorite National Park, or re-living classic lessons from the Mad Hatter, analog mementos aren’t going out of style anytime soon.

Rewind to earlier this year when the Personalized Mixtape Pillow was featured on the TODAY Show!

And in 2017 we look forward to…

(More) Goods that Give Back

While many of our makers rely on sustainable practices at one point or another in their process, we’re especially excited about those who place the wider world at the forefront of their craft–those who are making an uncommon impact.  Products like the Counting Beads Necklace, which helps raise money for the International Rescue Committee (our newest Better to Give partner), and the SolarPuff Collapsible Light, which provides light to communities damaged and displaced by disaster, continuously inspire us. During the next 12 months, we plan to introduce more products that benefit the world in a positive way.

Never-Before-Seen Designs

In the year ahead, we’re introducing you to more creative designs that you’ve never seen anywhere else, like our new Beating Heart Wall Clock (which is currently available for pre-order!). Stay tuned for more products that are made from interesting materials, that solve a problem, stun us with their beauty, serve a purpose, and make you wonder why no one ever thought of it before.

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