In and Out Lists As A Metaphor

What happened to developing your own taste?

This article is part of The G Spot, a weekly segment where criticista Gordistotle gives insight into the pop culture happenings of now through opinions or anecdotes on his life living in Toronto.

Photo by Shauna Summers, Graphic by Sierra Madison

To start off—Happy New Year!

We have collectively made it to another year, despite everything seemingly going wrong. From my own experience, 2024 was amazing, but on a sociopolitical level, what a shit show. With 2025 marking the beginning of the 21st Century’s Q2, let’s hope making it to Q3 is even in the cards.

Let’s Talk About The Dreaded In and Out Lists

The New Year is historically a time for resolutions: when people convince themselves that “Yes, this year I will wake up and go to the gym before work everyday!” Who are you kidding, and also, why would you do that? But in the digital age, when sharing one’s resolutions is no longer en vogue (you could say it’s an out), the general public has found a new New Year’s tradition.  

At this point, it’s routine for savvy individuals to take it upon themselves to share their take on an “Ins and Outs” each January. In the age of social media, of course, our resolutions must be publicly broadcast—how else would your followers know that you’re cutting out seed oils this year? For some, this meticulously crafted list is only shared on their Close Friends story, for mutuals to laugh at and enjoy. For others, it’s shared with hundreds of thousands of followers clamoring for their favourite influencer to instruct them to consume and discard. 

The “What’s In and Out” format isn’t a new invention. It’s actually been around for quite a while. Now I’m sure there’ve been people sharing their lists amongst close friends and family for decades, (ex: 1950s; Out - Cities, In - Suburbs), but the concept was first published (going off Wikipedia) as part of The Washington Post’s Style Section in 1977. So we can thank the paper’s fashion editor, Nina Hyde, for inspiring many a posteuse to take it upon themselves to inform us that vaping, is in fact, out. 

I, however, am growing tired of these lists bombarding my feeds.  Everyone wants to be Miranda Priestly, but what makes her so influential is that there’s only one of her. If I read one more general list that says:

In: Accessorizing to the max

Out: Being mean to myself

I might just report it as spam, and then block you.  

Why Hate The List?

This may be controversial, but Ins and Outs lists are out in general and have been for a while now. I groan any time I see one. I know, I know, they’re fun to make, but even more fun to keep to yourself. Sorry! Someone had to say it, and I don’t mind being a Scrooge. If you insist on making one, instead of unleashing it for all your followers’ scrutiny (I’m doing the scrutinizing, it’s me, hi, I’m the problem it’s me), save it for yourself and avoid the silent judgments. Close Friends is fine, of course, it’s a safe haven. 

If I’m being honest, I never realized people were actually following these types of lists. I’ve only ever perceived them as the creator’s attempt to prove how tasteful or insightful they are. Be it through style references, niche internet bits, or their knowledge of bars across the city—Ins and Outs authors always try their hardest to come off as all-knowing and clairvoyant. An influencer claiming “x will be in in 2025”, based on a little bit of research into what’s trending (or worse, what’s never actually gone out of style; obviously a good pair of jeans will always be in, come on now) isn’t impressive and comes off as a regurgitation of what the For You page told them is popular. 

Now I’m not trying to target those who share these lists among their friends, you have your fun. “Derp - In, Looking Both Ways Before Crossing The Road - Out” is hilarious, and honestly I want to know what trends my friends will be embodying as we descend into a new year My sights are on the influencers (a word that makes my hypothetical 2025 Outs) that position themselves as arbiters of chiqueness. First and foremost, you post TikToks– which are inherently unchic– in an attempt to capture Nina Hyde’s essence almost half a century later. What was once a novel idea which has since been driven into the ground. You’re telling me ‘BRAT’ is out? You are one interesting chica.

With how quickly trends come and go,  the pendulum has picked up speed, which means, you’ll always be behind unless you’re the one coming up with truly unique ideas. I hate to break it to you, but deeming “Minimalism - Out” isn’t reinventing the wheel. If you’re even seeing it in an “Ins and Outs” list—you’re probably part of the late majority (This is me using my business degree). 

You’re basing your predictions on well-established trends that anyone with a TikTok account and 30 minutes of after-work free time probably noticed weeks ago. Anyone who is paying attention to online culture could probably write the exact same list, it’s unfortunately not revolutionary. For example, maximalism has been en vogue since the pandemic, but really, it boils down to who you are as a person. If you prefer a tidy space, embrace the minimalist lifestyle. If you’re alright with a bit of clutter, call yourself a maximalist! It really doesn’t matter—none of this does—these people (and their opinions) only exist inside your phone. If you want to develop your own sense of taste, you have to figure out what you like and dislike–no one can tell you that but you. 

If you’re sure of yourself, you don’t need someone to tell you what’s In and Out, you don’t really care. 

Besides, what qualifications do these people have? Who are they? What’s the point of taking style and taste advice from someone you’ve never even met? What’s in in 2025 is developing your own style and seeking things out. Let’s stop succumbing to an algorithm’s suggestions to determine how we dress, act, and think. You’re more than what TikTok tells you to be. Pick up a magazine (cough cough, wink wink), take inspiration from people who you admire. It’s really that easy. More of that in 2025, another hypothetical in if you will. 

Listen, I’m not shitting on these lists as a whole–Ins and Outs lists have become a fun tradition to share among friends, and that one Twitter mutual you really want to impress, but I’ve noticed some people take them too seriously. Let’s keep them fun and silly, but using it as a way to vaguely show off your resolutions or assert your nicheness is out. People will of course continue to make them, and I’ll continue to scoff and roll my eyes at them.  

My own ins and outs:

Ins

Forming thy own personality 

Outs

In and Out lists not made by Gordistotle