You know how Crocs became a thing? Well, the guy who did that is now behind the new must-have ugly accessory of the moment – the Stanley water bottle (or ‘cup’, as the cool kids call it…). The Stanley Quencher, a 40oz (1.2ltr) stainless steel/vacuum-insulated jug with a straw, has become a hot ticket item that’s helped the 110-year-old brand’s sales skyrocket to over US$750 million in 2023 – that’s compared to an average of US$70 million a year before 2020. Experts say the trend reflects a broader shift towards health-consciousness and maturity among Generation Z – but the more than 7 billion mentions via savvy influencer marketing on TikTok might have also helped… Before you rush out to buy one, get your elbows out because crowds got pushy at a recent new colour launch in the US. And remember to switch the hand you use to carry it to avoid shoulder strain…