On Wednesday, President Donald Trump announced a 10% tariff on all imported goods. Following the announcement, the stock market dropped. Although high tariffs and the stock market dropping at alarming rates are signs of a potential recession, the state of pop culture can indicate a recession as well.
One of the major signs a recession is looming is in the fashion world. Previous years' fashion trends have revolved around short skirts, crop tops and overall party culture. Recently, this trend has changed; business casual wear seems to be the new normal. Searches for longer skirts, modest tops and neutral colors are on the rise. These searches last peaked in the mid-2000s. Brands are switching their collections to fit this trend. The brand PrettyLittleThing has been known to produce pieces for vacations or clubs, but now they focus on business attire. The brand even changed the colors on their website from bright and fun to neutral colors. The decline in clothes meant for going out also means people are going out less.
Last summer, people everywhere were having a messy, carefree “Brat Summer” filled with partying and having fun, but now, people cannot afford the party lifestyle. Trump's recent tariffs affect European spirits and canned beer imported from Mexico. These tariffs will affect the costs of drinks at the bar; going out is already expensive, and the rising costs of drinks are forcing more people to stay in. However, some people predicted the decline before the tariffs were announced. There is a new unofficial index to measure the economy called “The Stripper Index.” This implies if strippers are going a long time without making money, the economy is struggling. Currently, dancers in Vegas are struggling to make ends meet, which means dancers everywhere are struggling.
The current state of pop music is also a sign a recession may be looming. Recession pop refers to the music made during the recession from 2007-09. The moment of pop music was dominated by artists such as Kesha and Lady Gaga, who both are back releasing similar tracks to those they made in the late 2000s. These tracks are characterized as being feel-good songs and centered on living in the moment. The return of the indie sleaze genre, which was popular in the 2000s, could also be a sign.
The film industry also has some signs the U.S. may be coming onto hard times. Box office numbers have been on a steady decline since the rise of streaming. People are less likely to go see a movie that will be available for free in the coming months. But now, people are less willing to spend the money to go to the theater because of the cost. Paying for a movie ticket, snacks and the gas money to get to the theater is simply not worth it anymore. The rise of reality TV is another potential sign. In the U.S, 79% of people watch reality TV. Since the writers' strike, more reality shows have been made. These shows provided escapist entertainment people crave during dark times. Not to mention, these shows are also cheaper to make, meaning the labor costs for them are lower.
J.P. Morgan raised the probability of a recession to 40%. It was 30% at the start of the year. The U.S. is not in a recession yet, but one cannot ignore the signs the U.S. may be heading towards one. From changes in fashion and pop music to the rise of inflation, interest rates and the slowdown of the global economy, recession indicators are everywhere.
Cassie is a junior studying communications at Ohio University. Please note the views expressed in this column do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk to Cassie? Email her at cb086021@ohio.edu.
