Why is it that the more anxious people are, the more popular the dark style becomes?

Who hasn't been amazed by the "Day and Night" suit at the VOGUE 2024 Fashion Gala? The contrast from innocent to dark is simply captivating.

The dark and contrastive style seems to be the new trend among young people, as they are no longer pursuing the naive and sweet image. The recently popular "Black Myth: Wukong" essentially tells a game narrative that is intertwined with good and evil, and is filled with darkness and mystery. From the previously trendy "Office Siren" style to the "Dark Chaebol Heiress" style popularized by Korean dramas, the overall fashion trend is increasingly leaning towards the charming and dangerous dark style. Even among young people visiting Universal Studios and Shanghai Disneyland this year, they prefer to collect stamps and take photos with the villains, not even afraid of being scared by the clowns.

Why are we increasingly fond of the dark and villains?

Perhaps it is because the villains possess certain personality charms that heal us. Cruella de Vil has the courage to be hated, and Maleficent in "Maleficent" appears cold on the outside but is warm-hearted. More importantly, Living a "crazy" life like a villain actually protects the vulnerable and timid self within our inner world. The contrast from innocent to dark is a form of self-protection under pressure.

In fact, horror and darkness can be a form of therapy. The fear, violence, bloodshed, conflicts, screams, tension, and unexpected surprises make us nervous when in a haunted house or watching a horror movie, but the "survival after the disaster" feeling at the end releases dopamine in the brain, making us excited and comfortable. This is a kind of "benign masochism" that helps us release stress and negative emotions. Unhappy people can find happiness again in the darkness.

In this issue of "This Stuff Is Interesting", we bring you a new product recommendation with a dark style, focusing on the "Dark Life Plan". It extracts elements such as mystery, fierceness and cuteness contrast, and villains. From clothing to accessories, food, and beauty products (and of course, the indispensable ugly things), allowing you to experience the thrill of being a villain on the other side of life.

There is also a blind box lottery from Pop Mart at the bottom (not available in the market anymore). Scroll to the bottom, friends!

Wicked & H&M Collaboration Series

Hourglass-shaped Casual Suit

$56.48

Asymmetric Dress with Embroidery Pattern

$71.06

Belt

$18.38

October is the most fashionable month. From the Paris Fashion Week at the beginning of the month to the 2024 VOGUE Fashion Gala at the end of the month, the fashion circle is bustling. Naturally, the new product recommendation must start with trendy outfits.

In the dark style outfits, the cool and sassy suit dress deserves a spot on the list.

This time, H&M launched the Wicked & H&M collaboration series, inspired by the upcoming movie "Wicked". The iconic character, the so-called "wicked witch" Elphaba, with her black dress and tall pointed hat, has established many people's impression of the black witch.

This hourglass-shaped casual suit, with its upright shoulder pads and waist-cinching design, has a neat cut that perfectly outlines the lines of a dark female protagonist. The wide lapel exudes a powerful aura, even Gao Qiqiang would be impressed. With the belt fastened, the tall and slender figure is easily achieved.

However, a neatly dressed dark witch might be too rigid. Since we want to play with contrasts, the dress inside the suit needs some quirky details. One side of the asymmetric dress adds folds, appropriately revealing the legs, showing the mischievous and trendy spirit of a rock girl. It turns out that under the skin of the dark female knight is a trendy and fashionable spirit.

@SealDonkeyTurtle

I really want to buy it. The asymmetric black dress catches my eye!

@czs

For others, it's an hourglass shape. For me, it might be a sandbag.

Nike "Halloween Skull" Limited Edition

Air Force 1 Low in Black and Red Colorway

$141.78

Dunk Low in Black and Green Colorway

$141.78

Seeing Adidas and PUMA making a strong comeback with their thin-soled shoes, Nike is not willing to miss any opportunity to sell well. Recently, in line with the Halloween atmosphere, Nike has launched the "Halloween Skull" limited edition.

This festival limited edition is mainly based on two classic shoes, Air Force 1 Low and Dunk Low, with adjustments in color and details. The shoe upper texture has a mottled treatment, and the toe cap adds a bizarre and eye-catching skull embossed element. The Swoosh design on the shoe side is so three-dimensional that it looks like the hook in the hand of the Grim Reaper. Once you put them on, you have the ghostly temperament of emerging from the soil.

The black and red colorway of Air Force 1 Low and the black and green colorway of Dunk Low, colors that are usually prone to looking tacky, are now handled to be mysterious and dark. I haven't decided what to cosplay as yet, but my feet have already embraced the Halloween theme in advance.

@GreenWeedOnTheBank

Mom asked me why the new shoes are cracked so badly (LOL).

@z**kk

This is a very stage-like pair of shoes, suitable for rappers.

COACH Halloween Print Tote Bag

$411.62

COACH is an old hand at updating prints.

This time, it has launched the US version limited Halloween print. Grinning pumpkins, black cats closely sticking to the pumpkins, and white chubby ghosts floating around. The brown leather tote bag is a bit cute. Perhaps the other one is a bit darker. There is a black cat scared to the core on the crescent moon, and the ghost face print is slightly惊悚 (I assume this is a typo or a word that couldn't be translated, and the intended meaning might be "thrilling" or "spooky"). This is the bag that truly fits our dark style magnetic field.

The two styles are surprisingly contrasting. Both have a capacity of 33×16×29cm, and they are as always spacious and durable, making them a top choice for commuting.

@CAROL H.

My cat can just fit in it, and I resonate with the printed kitten.

@Shannanzi

This little black cat is really cute! I fell in love at first sight!

Disney×Pandora Villain Collaboration Series

$56.86 - $85.29

With the design concept of "encouraging individuality and self-expression, believing that everyone has their own unique story", the Danish jewelry brand Pandora naturally would not miss the dark trend in October.

Loving villains is because we lack some of the self-consistent and brave charm of the villains in our personalities. Pandora provides an opportunity to return to individuality through villain jewelry. In this collaboration with Disney, it chose to present the stories of four villains: the Evil Queen, the Dark Witch, Cruella de Vil, and the Queen of Hearts.

The poisoned apple of the Evil Queen is bright and诱人 (I assume this is a word that couldn't be translated precisely, and the intended meaning might be "tempting"), but the skull head still has a villainous气质 (I assume this is a word that couldn't be translated precisely, and the intended meaning might be "temperament"). The staff of the Dark Witch emits a夜光绿 (I assume this is a word that couldn't be translated precisely, and the intended meaning might be "luminous green"), but she believes that love is the magic that melts away evil thoughts. Cruella de Vil is a true female protagonist who is not afraid of being hated, not afraid of the outside world's gaze, and only does what is right for herself. The Queen of Hearts' exclusive heart-shaped gem and ace have a super high recognition.

Too exaggerated and complex designs might scare me and my wallet, but as charms, they are just right! Each one has a distinct personality. Being a princess is no longer the only choice. Being a dark villain can also shine with colorful light, and a free life needs a good celebration.