Gen Z Goes Analog: The Rise of Offline Hobbies and Analog Bags
Gen Z is trading screens for offline pastimes, fueling a trend of 'analog bags'—totes packed with journals, books, crafts and puzzles to encourage real-life hobbies and phone-free moments. The trend, amplified by TikTok and Instagram, blends nostalgia with mental-health goals, as people swap smartphones for flip phones, snail mail, and analog tools; L.L. Bean reports a surge in tote sales with monogrammed options, while fans share 'what's in my analog bag' videos to connect over non-digital pursuits.