Unicorns Aren't Going Away, And I'm Sort Of Okay With That

If we can't beat 'em, we might as well join 'em.

By Courtney Thompson Feb 28, 2017, 3:10 PM ET

Unicorns are a thing, guys, and they’re not going away. Really. We collectively saw them resurge in pop culture last year after a three-and-a-half-decade snooze—who didn’t have a unicorn barette or backpack in the ’80s?—and a year later, they’re still here. Most recently they’re being embodied in the culinary world, popping up in the form of hot chocolate, milkshakes, cakes and more.

But here in the fashion world, golden-horned horses are still a mainstay. Seriously. Search the term “unicorn” within any of your favorite retailers’ websites (from Boohoo and Forever21 to Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s) and a laundry list of related products will surface.

But here’s what’s most surprising: I’m actually okay with it. I started researching this story when I heard the millionth person report on the ongoing unicorn mania and I thought, “Okay, no more avoiding it, it’s time to finally cover this trend.” So I began wading through the sea of unicorn paraphernalia to be had and somewhere in between an inflatable headband (which, btw, would be perfect for a bachelorette party) and a gorgeous balloon clutch, I realized…hot damn, I am hearting all of this so hard. I mean, who can’t use a dose of glittery, rainbow-infused whimsy in their life? And it all just makes me so nostalgic for my adolescent years, when Debbie Gibson was blaring on the radio, I was doing the running man in my bedroom and a unicorn poster hung on the wall. We’ve come full circle, people. And to celebrate that—and to convince you that this never-ending, bizarre trend is actually one you should give a chance—I’ve rounded up a slew of unicorn-approved products you just might be able to make room for in your closet. (And your heart.)