Photo Credit: Social Media HQ
With so many trendsetters and influencers on Instagram, it’s perhaps no surprise that every week seems to bring some new social media trend that’s “blowing up” and “going viral.” But what was the one big Instagram trend that seemed to be everywhere this summer?
Potential choices for the Instagram trend of the summer
Of course, there were many different “trend of the summer” candidates to choose from, just as there are always different choices for “song of the summer” (that one song you can’t get out of your head during July and August). We’ll leave aside some of the more dubious Instagram trends (male rompers, anyone?). We’ll also ignore some of the Internet trends that were shamelessly designed to get people to click – like the whole trend of “belfies” in glass-walled swimming pools. (Yes, that really is a trend. Just ask the tabloid New York Post, which has had a thing for belfies recently) We’ll also have to ignore any Instagram trend with the word “challenge” in it. (We’re so over those silly Internet challenges.)
And, unfortunately, we’ll have to pass on anything involving Beyoncé – although her Instagram photo posted on July 13 – the one showing her posing with her new twin babies Sir Carter and Rumi – has to be the most liked, as well as the most commented on, Instagram post of the summer. In just two weeks, it’s racked up over 9.9 million likes and 300,000+ comments. Beyoncé, you won Instagram this summer. We’re just glad you didn’t break the Internet in July.
The watermelon dress
With that in mind, our pick for the Instagram trend of the summer has to be the #watermelondress. What exactly is a watermelon dress, you’re probably asking? Well, if you’ve spent any time at all on Instagram this summer, you’ve probably seen babies in watermelon dresses, young girls in watermelon dresses and even pets wearing some variant of a watermelon dress.
A watermelon dress is just a fun way to create an Instagram-worthy special effect with a slice of watermelon. The classic #watermelondress calls for you to carve out a wedge of watermelon and hold it up in front of your camera so that it appears to cover the person’s torso in front of you. The more artistic you are, the more clever you can become in creating a dress that fits just so. Once you’ve seen one, you’ll want to see more.
Why this Instagram trend took off
The trend caught on because it’s so fun and it’s so, well, “summery.” You don’t eat watermelon during winter, do you? And what could be better for Instagram than a mix of fashion and food, all Instagrammed to perfection? You’re taking the two things that Instagram does incredibly well – fashion and food – and combining them together in a creative way.
The #watermelondress is also incredibly democratic. Moms with new babies could do a #watermelondress. Incredibly hot girls in bikinis (aka Instagram influencers) could do them. Even female TV newscasters got into the game, creating their own watermelon dresses while on set.
How brands and other users can get in on this trend
Go to Instagram right now, and you’ll find 9,000+ photos tagged with #watermelondress. The good news is that there’s still time to get in a great photo this summer, especially if you’re planning one last summer vacation fling in August or one last big corporate rooftop party in the city. Buy a watermelon, spend a few minutes carving a small slice, and you’ve got pure Instagram gold. Just remember to tag it with #watermelondress.
