Star couple Dua Lipa and Callum Turner were spotted at London’s St. Pancras station earlier this year looking straight out of a stylish 1960s film – a fitting nod to the idea that the 1960s had the best fashion.
They wore matching leather jackets and sticker-covered luggage – a style quickly embraced by fans worldwide. Fashion trends shift so fast that keeping up can be a challenge, but the constant evolution keeps things fresh and exciting.
Wanting to keep up with the latest fashion trends is nothing new. As soon as clothes were invented, choices about materials, fabrics, colors, and designs became a part of our lives. The first ever fashion magazine was called Le Mercure Galant. It was founded by the writer Jean Donneau de Visé in 1672 and shared news about fashion, luxury goods, etiquette, and court life under Louis XIV.
It’s true that some fashion trends have been beyond disappointing, though. Just because everyone is hopping on the bandwagon to wear a certain style, it doesn’t mean the trend in question is an actual winner.
To gather this list of fashion fads in history that are slightly weird, 24/7 Tempo consulted several fashion-forward sources including Urban Matter, Society 19, Budget Fashionista, and Who What Wear.
Corsets – 1900s
Whilst it’s true that we still wear corsets, they are nothing like those that our ancestors endured around 1900. The original corsets were made from hard materials such as bone and were pulled so tight that the wearer could hardly breathe. These days, corsets are made from much softer fabrics.
Hoop skirt dresses – 1910s
The logistical reason behind women wearing hoop skirt dresses during the 1910s makes a lot of sense! Still, this style is still something modern individuals would raise their eyebrows over. Back in the day, women wore hoop skirt dresses to keep the heavy fabrics off of their legs as a way of keeping their body temperatures down in hot climates. These days, a hoop skirt dress would be a cumbersome and obnoxious thing to wear in a public place.
Boater hats – 1920s
In the 1920s, boater hats rose in popularity among both men and women. Men wore them for outdoor activities like playing cricket or going sailing. Not long after, women started wearing them to protect their faces from the rays of the sun. Today, boater hats simply don’t have the same appeal. They don’t compare to modern hat styles that offer more coverage like sun hats and fedoras.
Heeled oxfords – 1930s
Heeled oxfords were popular in the 1930s, but they aren’t considered a fabulous or attractive footwear choice today. Back then, these shoes were meant to be worn in formal settings. They helped women show their peers how sophisticated and chic they were at that time. These days, heeled oxfords can be swapped out for simple close-toed pumps in a solid color.
Mini bowler hats – 1940s
The mini bowler hats of the 1940s served no practical purpose. They kept very little sun off the face and were not even waterproof. It’s no wonder that they went out of fashion. You would never see someone wearing a bowler today unless they are in fancy dress.
Bullet brassieres – 1950s
During the 1950s, bullet brassieres were considered super trendy among women. These days, most folks only think about bullet brassieres when they think of edgy musicians like Madonna or Katy Perry. They’re known for wearing eccentric stage outfits during their over-the-top performances. Bullet brassieres make a woman’s chest look sharp and pointy! Modern bras offer a more rounded result.
Paisley patterns – 1960s
Paisley patterns were all the rage in the 1960s, but they weren’t able to maintain that level of love and admiration as time progressed. Modern fashionistas would certainly raise their eyebrows at a person wearing a paisley-patterned outfit from head to toe. Style-crazed individuals have used words like “tasteless” and “ugly” to describe paisley when discussing pattern options.
Bellbottoms – 1970s
Bellbottoms were considered trendy in the 1970s during the hippie movement. Bellbottoms were often made of denim, cotton twill, or linen. These days, pants that have straight legged bottoms or skinny bottoms are more common. If someone wore bellbottoms in public today, fashionistas would definitely raise their eyebrows in judgment.
Parachute pants – 1980s
Parachute pants are slightly similar to bellbottoms aside from one significant detail. They remain billowy from the hip to the ankle – all the way through. Bellbottoms are tighter over the thigh and looser below the knee, which makes parachute pants a tad more dramatic to look at. They were beloved during the 1980s, but not anymore.
Exposed underwear – 1990s
The trend of wearing trousers that sagged so much that they showed the wearers underwear was made popular by 1990s hip-hop musicians. It was mainly confined to men and was called sagging. However, some women also wore low rise jeans to expose their g-string or thing.
Jeans under dresses – 2000s
This look was made popular by celebrities such as Ashley Tisdale, Lindsey Lohan, Miley Cyrus, and Vanessa Hudgens. It was perfectly acceptable to turn up to red carpet events with a pair of jeans under your dress. Today, leggings or tights are more popular options.
Crocs – 2010s
The argument for Crocs is that they’re super comfortable to wear. The argument against them is that they’re horrendously unappealing to look at. Regardless of where your opinions fall on the matter, Crocs were rose to fame throughout the 2010s following their 2002 release. If you choose to wear Crocs today, prepare to be judged by members of the younger generation.