Oh boy, “The New York Times” has done it again—taken a stroll through America’s spiritual front yard, tripped over a centuries-old tradition, and then shouted, “Hey, look! A trend!”
Yep, we’re talking about the headline-making moment where the Gray Lady decided to declare that “cross jewelry”—yes, that cross, the one Christians have been wearing for “literally” over 1,600 years—is apparently “in vogue.” Welcome to journalism in 2025, folks, where rediscovering common sense is a front-page revelation.
Let’s rewind for a second. The article in question tried to package this sacred emblem as the newest “hot accessory,” spotlighting celebrities like Sabrina Carpenter and even political figures like White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who were recently seen donning cross necklaces.
Now, while the piece “does” briefly acknowledge the cross’s religious and historical meaning—it also leans heavily into how it’s being “spotted” on influencers and sold at fashionable boutiques like Ssense and Kendra Scott. And that’s where things went sideways.
Cue the outrage—and rightfully so. Readers immediately pounced on the absurdity. One commenter, age 76, pointed out she’s been wearing a cross since her “First Communion”.
Another chimed in sarcastically, “Wow! People wore crosses when I was a kid too. Good job, NYT, for finally noticing.” And the jabs didn’t stop there. Memes rolled in, and the article was lampooned as yet another tone-deaf miss from a publication whose “Style” section has previously waxed poetic over $690 flip-flops and $190 soap dispensers.
But here’s what really hits: For many people, the cross isn’t a seasonal statement piece—it’s a constant. It doesn’t come in and out of “vogue” because it’s not about trends. It’s about “belief”, identity, and often, heritage. The idea that it’s just another accessory to be rediscovered every couple of decades like flare jeans or butterfly clips? That’s what stung the most.
Of course, “The Times” has played this card before. They wrote a nearly identical take back in 2001, calling the cross “trendy” as worn by the likes of Mary J. Blige and Paris Hilton. So maybe this isn’t so much an editorial revelation as it is a recycling of fashion-meets-faith clickbait.
Either way, this latest piece triggered a wave of side-eye from people of faith—and really, from anyone who knows that calling a cross “in style” today is like calling fire “trendy” during barbecue season.
So here’s a pro tip for editors: before you slap a “trend” label on something, make sure it hasn’t already been a cornerstone of civilization for two millennia. Just saying.
