11 for 2K11: trends to watch out for in 2011

Be ahead of the game, as Jasmine Gardner and Victoria Stewart reveal the new year's next big things

The Age of Revolt
"We're very likely to see wildcat strikes [for those under 40, this means not authorised by trade unions] in the coming year, with a possibility of a much bigger general strike. There will be a resurgence of the Left and the far Left such as we haven't seen for a generation," says chronicler of the protests, New Statesman writer Laurie Penny. Dan Jones, author of Summer of Blood: The Peasants' Revolt of 1381, believes the conditions mirror those of 1381. "The real progression this year will be the generalisation of popular anger. Protests against specific issues such as student fees or tax avoidance will congeal and combine to create a more general sense of popular anger against "the system" at large. People won't necessarily know why they are protesting — just that "something must be done". Heads will definitely roll, if only metaphorically, in 2011."

Anti-social networks
Forget having 1,576 Facebook friends. James Layfield, director of the Lounge youth marketing agency, predicts that 2011 will be the year we begin to personalise our online friendships. "We will choose to tighten our friendship circles, turning to the likes of Path, which allows a maximum of 50 contacts, and Diaspora, which sorts your connections into aspects' so that any private information you post will only be shared with the people you really know," suggests Layfield.

The EyePad
Apple sold more than two million iPads in the first 60 days of their release onto the market, so when the iPad 2 (or whatever it actually gets called) has its expected unveiling in 2011, it will, of course, be the year's most coveted item. Rumours say it will have two cameras (front and rear-facing), a USB port (lacked on the first), more memory, a faster processor and a bigger, clearer display. Prepare for the rush.

Super-maxis
Ultra-wide dresses on Etro, Jil Sander and Costume National S/S 11 catwalks are setting a new mood for this year's maxis. "There are a lot of looks that are about comfort and ease," says Jaana Jatyri, CEO of forecasting company Trendstop. "The Lady Gaga look feels like too much effort and we need a break from high maintenance. These are easy pieces, based on simple T-shirt shapes and flattering for all body shapes."

Food on sticks
Having watched the rise of the cake-pop this year, food futurologist Dr Morgaine Gaye predicts more food on sticks next year. "Fashion is undergoing a Seventies revival and food is starting to nod to that. The idea of sharing comes into it so we will return to eating the likes of sausages on cocktail sticks and fondues. But this will be taken up a notch with ideas such as pizza-pops [little mini pizzas on sticks] and more savoury things. These are playful, new and easy to eat."

Sensible sandals
At first glance they may look rather ugly but there's little question about what will be on your feet this summer as Jesus-style sandals appeared on the Marni, Stella McCartney, Leonard and Bottega Veneta catwalks (to name just a few). Soon, we'll all love them. "These are an example of a return to minimalism and simplicity," says Jaana Jatyri. "Above all, they are comfortable and practical. Some of them are almost frumpy, a summer version of UGG boots."

Virtual sharing
When times are hard, it makes sense to share, and sites designed for that function are cropping up for every aspect of life. Flattr takes monthly donations and shares out funds between all the participating sites you click to say you'd like to support, Landshare hooks up people with unused land with those who want space to start planting, and GiftFlow is a network of reciprocity for trading unwanted items or exchanging skills. Even mobile phones are turning to the community. GiffGaff is a phone company run through its members — pricing, support and operational functions are all determined by the users.

Linked-up TV
"The Americans have had it for years and, with UK broadband now super-fast, we're crying out for on-demand video streaming," says Camilla Grey at Moving Brands. This is the year for it. We will finally truly be able to watch any film we want to at any time with better and subscription-free movie-streaming services set to launch in the UK and major manufacturers such as Sony and Philips building internet into their TVs. The BBC-partnered YouView set top box is also arriving soon, which will allow you to bypass the computer and get any programmes you have missed straight to your TV.

Speed listening
Having experienced 2010's obsession with speed-dating, Alice Shyy, founder of The Note Well charity, predicts that speed listening will be the next big social trend (inset left). The idea is that people bring an iPod and speed-listen to each other's five-song playlists. "We brought this idea to The Book Club because it is a different way of attracting people to music socially. There is always a spin-off story because of the way people react personally to music. It's a one-to-one experience but also it's quick moving and fun — a combination of pride and being able to curate what someone else is listening to," says Shyy.

Dirty Martinis
"Last year was all about the whisky revival and whisky on the rocks in Mad Men style, and 2011 will be about the rebirth of the martini," says Joe McCanta, mixologist and brand ambassador for Grey Goose vodka. "Currently the Brits don't appreciate the martini in the way the Americans do, but next year all the swanky places will be doing the Dirty Martini — with the olive (inset above). Just recently I was doing an event for Lily Allen's sister and the Dirty Martinis I made went down really well — even though nobody would have thought to order them, yet."

Mobile money
This year Square was launched for iPhone, meaning anyone can take a credit card payment from anyone else — via their phone. In August, Apple hired an expert in near-field communications — wireless technology which allows mobile phones to communicate with other devices. Google's latest Android phone, the Nexus S, comes with this ability ready built-in. Its uses? Mobile payments — which means we will very soon be using our phones as our Oyster cards or to pay at machines.