Being cool is a complicated concept: it has far more substance and longevity than a trend, isn’t always dinted by mass recognition and ultimately depends on perspective and personal taste
(l-r) Singer Charli XCX has proven to be more than a flash in the pan; the Labubu trend was one of many mini-fads in 2025; the Prada fashion label maintains its cool through integrity; exposure to new artists through Spotify’s Discover Weekly playlist can help predict trends
So what does it mean to be “cool”? It’s a complicated concept – hard to define, yet instantly recognisable, the kind of thing you just know when you see it. And while it can be highly subjective, there are certain people we can all generally agree are cool, whether it’s Robert Redford or Rihanna.
Today, however, it can be hard to keep up with the zeitgeist. Last summer, the phrase “Labubu matcha Dubai chocolate” circulated rapidly online, a meme about the overload of mini-fads that hit peak popularity in 2025. With trends coming and going at lightning speed, what’s really worth our attention?