Water Bottles: Our Newest Hyperfixation
Water bottles, what’s all the hype about? Lately, the biggest trend has been reusable water bottles. And sure, they have been around for as long as I can remember, but they have never been this big of a deal. Companies are coming out with limited editions, accessories and so much more. The trend has created a new way to express oneself through their water bottle, which is such a cool concept. However, there is a fine line between expression and overkill.
I have always been a Hydro Flask girl. I love it when I get to pick a new color every few years and dress it with new stickers, and I recently fell victim to the Stanley craze. Though I got a Slim rather than a Stanely, it is still the same concept; I can now fit my water bottle in the cupholders in my car. Now I have two water bottles, one for when I am out and about in classes and one for when I am home and/or in the car.
When my roommate got her new Owalla bottle, I tested out all the features like a new car. When talking to her about when we think a good time to replace our water bottle is, I said every 2-3 years. My current Hydro Flask is approaching the 3-4 year mark however, I have been weary of getting a new one simply because I do not want to spend the money. The fascination behind water bottles has gone to the extreme. My TikTok has been flooded with women picking a Stanley Cup out of their collection for the day. They decorate them with chains, custom name plates, phone holders and much more.
When the Valentine’s Day colors came out, I remember thinking, this is pointless, why get another water bottle when I already have two? But many rushed to their local Targets and Walmarts to pick up the limited-edition bottle. The concept behind limited-edition items is so interesting: we are more inclined to buy something because we like the idea of being a part of a special group of people who own a rare object.
But water bottles are made to be used, possibly dropped and worn out. The craze begs the conversation regarding overconsumption. Yes, the water bottle has always been the accessory but in a different way. The accessory used to be the stickers, the way you decorated your singular water bottle. Now, it is the bottle itself plus the additions. It’s the color of the bottle, the name plate to match said bottle, the mini backpack to attach to the bottle and so much more.