Baby-bump fashion, Gorp-Core and the rise of the foodie trendsetter

When did the baby bump become a fashion topic? That is one of the questions raised in the latest episode of “Is This a Thing?”, alongside a broader look at lifestyle trends that blur the boundaries between fashion, food and outdoor wear.

The hosts begin by debating “shadeless shades”, or brightly tinted glasses. They inspect a shoe that tries to combine a moon boot with a cowboy boot and consider the appeal of celebrity spirits, including Sarah Jessica Parker’s “Spicy Jalapeño White Wine”.

Food has moved beyond the kitchen and into pop culture. Cooking and physical pleasure now appear in highly stylized images, while people working between cuisine, art and fashion have become trendsetters. In Austria, cake artist Sophia Stolz and chef Lukas Mraz have built recognition not only through their food but also through their style. The episode asks whether food could replace fashion in the lifestyle universe, or whether audiences may soon suffer from food fatigue.

Pregnancy is another focus. Anne Hathaway recently attracted attention during a promotional tour in an outfit by designer Prabal Gurung that prominently framed her baby bump. The look even prompted conspiracy theories. The hosts debate whether displaying pregnancy proudly represents emancipation, or whether pregnancy itself has become another performance designed to attract attention.

The episode turns to the mountains as a fashion setting, particularly the Dolomites, which have become popular on social media. Outdoor brands such as The North Face, Salomon, Arc’teryx and Patagonia now appear in city streets as well. Gorp-Core, named after “Good Old Raisins and Peanuts”, has won over creative trend followers and luxury brands. The closing service question asks where on the head a ponytail should be worn.