Fashion is art. It’s love and passion and filled with statements. Although there are various fashion trends at any given time, usually a few dominate a decade. What are the fashion trends now? What about 80 years ago?
These are all questions we will answer in this slideshow as we celebrate Fashion Day. In 2016, fashion enthusiasts established Fashion Day, an annual day/holiday held on July 9. Interestingly, there is also a World Fashion Day, although it falls on August 21.
This day is more about what we wear compared to what celebrities and runways wear, which tend to be very different.
Do you have a favorite design or fashion trend? Which decade does it come from? Maybe it’ll make it on our list. Click through the slideshow for unforgettable design trends for Fashion Day.
To compile this information, we used online fashion history resources like Fashion History Timeline andHistory.
1940s
World War II had a profound impact on fashion during the 1940s. Both men and women wore conservative clothing, hiding skin. The most known trend of the 1940s was practical outfits, specifically utility dresses. They were made quickly and cheaply and were very similar to men’s suits, except for the skirts. Another popular trend during this time was the knee-length shirtwaist dresses with caps on the sleeves.
1950s
1950s fashion drew inspiration from the 1940s, but it was distinctly different, especially in terms of hairstyles (the beehive and shot bangs). During this decade, dresses were not fit. Instead, the more popular dresses and skirts had volume. Menswear during this decade was different. They moved towards a youthful and casual look, wearing t-shirts and jackets.
1960s
The 1960s was incredibly different than just two decades prior. It was filled with playful colors and shorter hemlines for both men and women. Social movements like the Civil Rights Movement and anti-war sentiments influenced clothing, leading to rebellious looks.
1970s
The 1970s was the era of peace, much like the 1960s. The fashion, though, took a drastic change. Popular trends during the 1970s included long, flowy skirts, jumpsuits, hot pants, flared pants, bell bottoms, and crop tops. Men’s clothing remained colorful during this decade.
1980s
Fashion during the 1980s was very different. It was a mix of conservative and bold. Bold colors were used, and prints were used for going out dresses and outfits. Punk rock experienced rapid growth during the 1980s, with a significant surge in popularity in the 1990s. Popular trends for this decade included shoulder pads, leg warmers, scrunchies, corset belts, spandex, and sequins.
1990s
While clothing during the 1980s was more tight-fitting, this trend ended in the 1990s and 2000s. Suddenly, everything was baggy. Men’s clothing was also toned down in color and patterns. Common trends during this time were band t-shirts, leather, grunge, velvet fabric, straight jeans, baggy jeans, and bandanas.
2000s
Y2K fashion came and went—and showed up again. Its influences are seen in modern fashion today. So, what were people wearing during the 2000s? The 2000s was known for dresses over jeans, baggy denim shorts for men, tub tops, chunky belts, chunky highlights, claw clips, and mini skirts. Think Britney Spears.
2010s
During the 2010s, fashion pieces were nostalgic. Thrifted and vintage wear became popular, leading to interesting styles. The 2010s were also marked by a trend towards business casual clothing, which was sometimes worn on nights out. Other trends of the 2010s included skinny jeans, narrow sunglasses, bandage dresses, cropped jackets, and flower crowns.
2020s
We are only halfway through the decade, so it’s hard to tell what it will look like at the end. For now, however, many different trends have emerged since the Covid-19 pandemic began. Many of the trends are nostalgia-based and blend different decades together. It isn’t uncommon for someone to wear a mini skirt resembling something from the 2000s and a vest as a top, similar to how people wore them during the 1970s.
Celebrity Fashion
Celebrity fashion, excluding what is worn on a runway or at an award show, isn’t too different from what non-celebrities wear every day. The 2020s seem to be about comfort and ease, and this is reflected in celebrity fashion. They wear flowy dresses, jeans, tube tops, and boots.
2025 Trends
So, what is happening now in 2025? The answer is short – nostalgia and comfort. People are wearing pieces inspired by different decades and staying comfortable and consistent. Bright patterns are no longer as common. Trends that are on the rise include cottagecore, Y2K revival, and modern retro.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Master1305 / Shutterstock.com.