Fashion trends, just like history, tend to come back from time to time. While there are timeless fashion trends that we still love, some of them should stay well in the past. For anyone who wants 2021 to get worse than it already is, try resurrecting some of the fashion trends on our list. So, let’s take a look at the silliest fashion trends to date that should never ever make a comeback!
80s Workout Clothes That Make Us NOT Want To Workout
From multi-colored leotards and neon leg warmers to stirrup leggings and sweatbands, this aerobics-themed workout fashion trend from the 1980s didn't make much sense at all. But who are we kidding? It was an era when voluminous hair, giant afros, and nylon tracksuits were the most popular trends. So one can see why it was a fashion must have at that time. After all, who wouldn't want to see women working out in tight leotards, right?
And just to be clear, not everyone wearing these workout clothes in the 80s looked like Jane Fonda, the queen of at-home workout videos. Her first exercise video, Jane Fonda's Workout, became a massive hit and sold over 17 million copies.
The Shoulder Pads Trend
The 1980s was the era where broad shoulders and huge hairdos were life goals. So naturally, people had to do something to achieve a wide-shouldered look. This urge paved the way for a grand entry of shoulder pads. Maybe women at that time thought of it as a way to knock everyone out of their way, but we're not going to assume that it was the case. Although this fashion trend hasn't made a real comeback so far, fashion designers try to remind us of their existence every now and then.
So, will it ever make a comeback in the coming years? Only time will tell. Would we embrace it like in the 1980s? Again, only time will tell.
Garter Belts
Garter belts became fashionable from the 1940s onward and reached new heights in popularity in the 1960s. At that time, these belts were considered functional women's undergarments and didn't carry the taboo connotations they do today. Garter belts became so popular in the mid-20th century because stockings worn under skirts did not stay up well and most would fall.
Garter belts turned out to be a more effortless and effective solution. However, the belt was mostly associated with eroticism as most pin-up models at that time featured wearing bras, garter belts, and stockings.
Bathing Suit Dresses
Oh boy. This 1930s women's swimsuit looks like a combination of a baby doll nightie and a modern-day swimsuit. The swimsuits at that time were cut to show off more leg and back skin than ever before. Swimwear was a real fashion for the women of that time. The swimsuit was designed to reveal a woman's crotch for the first time. It is interesting how the bathing suit dresses were all the rage because women were policed over the modesty of their beachwear.
The style became outdated after the introduction of bikinis in 1946. While some would say that it was a flattering style for women, we might never see it make a grand comeback.
The Hobble Skirt
Jessica Brown Findlay once said, "There's a reason hobble skirts are called hobble. You literally can't move very far in them." Well, she is right. This is exactly what wearing a hobble skirt feels like. It is so tightly fitted that the wearer feels that it will tear every time they walk. That’s how the women in the 1910s felt. Unsurprisingly, this short-lived fashion trend stayed in vogue for just a few years.
So how did women’s fashion get to these silly skirts? Well, it had a lot to do with what was considered the popular silhouette at the time. It was also designed to ensure women took only the tiniest steps. We imagine whoever designed these didn't want women to get very far.
1980s Prom Fashion
The '80s were a lot about voluminous hair as the focus was mostly on getting a big, wild look. While women took pride in perming their hair with lots of hair spray to reach new heights, the men didn't stay behind. Seeing this perfection makes us wonder why this ever went out of style.
Kids today are experimenting and doing almost everything in the name of fashion, but this hair monstrosity from the 1980s is something we really don’t want. So imagine if it does make a comeback.
Psychedelic Patterns
Psychedelic Fashion became popular in the late '60s and stayed till the '70s. Looking at groovy, psychedelic patterns can make anyone feel a bit dizzy. It became a trend in San Francisco at first, which was the hub for hippie culture at that time. Moreover, it was a symbol of the reordering of political, social, and artistic structures.
Although combining psychedelic experience and fashion was a fashion trend at first, it became a way to promote participation. That being said, we must admit that Raquel Welch effortlessly pulled the dress off. However, we’re not sure everyone else can do the same.
Way Too Much Blush
In addition to colorful contouring and high-volume hair, most women in the '80s couldn't go out without their blush. Call it an obsession or making up for the lack of natural color, one thing we know is that women loved their blush and exaggerated makeup styles. Women of that time didn't believe that less is always more, even if they looked unnatural.
While ancient Egyptians were fans of using blush, its use dropped significantly in the Middle Ages as red cheeks were associated with prostitutes. Since then, we have come a long way and have also learned our lesson when it comes to overusing the stuff.
Furry Obsession
The 2000s fashion was a global mash-up of different trends with previous vintage styles. It was the time when fake fur and recycled fashions became more popular than ever fbefore. Of course, many young women rocked the furry look, but it seems pretty clear that we've not missed this trend at all. There's fake fur, sure, but real fur was on trend for decades, including the 2000s.
While wearing fur isn’t unknown to humankind as it dates back to 170,000 years ago, do we really need it back in fashion? Even if it does come back, we hope it isn’t Chewbacca-inspired fashion like Paris is wearing here.
Denim-On-Denim
Whenever the words "denim-on-denim" come up, terrifying visions flash before our eyes. Only in recent years have we learned that celebrities could wear denim-on-denim and look good without inexplicable rhinestones. However, that wasn't the case in the 2000s. Back then, even major celebrities couldn't really pull off the look. This picture pretty much explains it all.
In recent years, celebrity couples have tried to bring back the matching denim outfit trend. It all started with Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake. Do we need it now, especially during the pandemic? Maybe we'll accept the denim-on-denim trend with open arms eventually, but we ask again, do we really need it?
Petticoats
Petticoats have been around since the 1300s and were fashionable in the 17th century before women started to wear them primarily as underskirts. After the mid-eighteenth century, most women wore petticoats as a form of underwear. It was until the 1950s when petticoats came back into fashion and were worn under the knee or calf-length skirts. Given the flattering feminine shape of these, we’re not surprised why they stayed in fashion for this long.
Although petticoats are not so popular in the 21st century, they were around in stores up until the 1970s. Who knows, this look might make a comeback in the coming years.
The Poodle Clip
Okay, this is one of the worst vintage hairstyles we're glad to leave behind. It's hard to believe how women were crazy about this hairstyle in the 1950s. They would rush to the salon and pay good money in an attempt to look like pet poodles. Such was the craze of this hairstyle that 3 out of every 5 women had the poodle clip by 1952.
The poodle clip became a trend mainly because of Lucille Ball's hairstyle on the show I Love Lucy. But, interestingly, men at that time didn't like the poodle cut at all.
Flapper Girl Style
The flapper can be instantly recognized as the style of the '20s. Although the trend has an enduring appeal, it was considered provocative at that time. After World War I, it became a trend because women started to feel empowered and experimented with modern haircuts and loose-fitting dresses. It was seriously unheard of not long before, in the stuffy Victorian era. Ah, those brave women!
The feathered accessories and beaded designs have since gone out of style, and we are pretty sure that a fully fringed-out flapper dress won't make a comeback anytime soon.
Colorful Track Jackets
Yes, the era of track jackets. The 1980s saw the rise of the brightly colored travesty that no one should attempt to revive now. After all, we have been through enough and this is the last thing we want. We can understand that the 1980s was an era full of amazing innovations, but the track jacket trend is probably one of those things that should never make a comeback. NEVER!
But maybe we are a bit too harsh on the track jacket trend. Okay, it should be reserved for athletes only. That’s the best we can do.
Transparent Plastic Clothes
Fashion fans were not impressed by the entry of transparent plastic trousers in the 2010s. Most of us breathed a sigh of relief as the trend faded and didn't become too popular, but then it made a comeback. Thinking that the plastic trend is redundant is right. After all, who wouldn't want to wear see-through plastic trousers and boots in hot weather, right?
And did we forget to mention that a person also has to wear an oversized denim jacket with these plastic monstrosities? Just look at Kim here! To make matters worse, these so called clothes are made from a material that is seriously damaging the environment. Wow!
Short Bangs
Many actresses of the 1950s favored shorter, less voluminous hair and it prompted many women to fashion their hair the similar way. Although short bangs look unconventional and not suited for every face, the style became popular mainly because of Audrey Hepburn, one of the gorgeous actresses of the era. If only we had those beautiful eyes and eyebrows.
At least short bangs are much better than the poodle clip. The trend has made several comebacks and it seems like it will stay for many years.
Patchwork Jeans
The patchwork jeans trend was a bit of a mess. Although the trend first soared in popularity back in the '70s in the form of hand-stitched DIY patches, it really boomed in the '90s. As expected, this trend wasn't just limited to jeans. Seeing this makes us wonder why someone would come up with such a look. But then again, the fashion world at that time had no problem with its existence.
Now that DIY isn’t really involved in patchwork jeans, brands have started to bring this trend back in a more professional way by collaging together different denim washes.
Neon
The 1980s were all about craziness and uniqueness, and this trend is no exception. It seems like the main goal behind every '80s style was to do everything in excess. Well, the neon trend perfectly depicts that, as it was definitely excessive. Fashion ran the gamut from neon-pops of color on everything from jackets to belts almost everywhere. You just couldn't escape it.
In that era, bright colors such as yellow, hot pink, electric purple, green, and orange were everywhere. To make it extra special, people would wear matching tops and tracksuits.
Wooden Swimsuits
Well, these were well-thought-out swimsuits for sure. Whoever designed these swimsuits was really worried about the safety of people who went to the beach. After all, wood floats on water. So someone thought, why not make swimsuits out of wood so that no one drowns? Wearing a hard-barrel-like swimsuit sounds so much fun. Who wouldn't want to wear this creation and enjoy a relaxing day at the beach?
The only drawback of this swimsuit is that it doesn't dry quickly. Yeah, we tried our best to look for other disadvantages, but we couldn't because it is almost perfect.
Butterfly Clip
The '90s butterfly clip brings back the memories of how so many models, pop stars, tweens, and almost every girl rocked the look. When this trend first started, it was considered cool and effortless and celebrities made it ever so popular. While the trend faded away in a few years, it is expected that it might make a comeback soon.
With a variety of trends resurfacing from the '90s, we can expect this fashion trend to reappear in upcoming years. Everything comes back eventually in the fashion world.
Acid Washed Denim
Love them or hate them, one thing we know for sure is that there was a time when acid-washed denim was popular and at the forefront of fashion. The practice of acid-washing started in the 1960s when surfers turned to chlorine bleach after getting tired of faded jeans in the sun. After that, the trend soared to popularity in the '80s punk scene.
Given the popularity of the trend within subcultures, it keeps trying to resurface from time to time. One has to admire that it has remained persistent. Will we ever get rid of it? Maybe not!
Leather Dresses
The 1960s were the era when men were regularly sporting leather jackets and women were also rocking leather dresses. It is hard to imagine a fashion show like this one taking place if PETA had been around at the time. Thankfully, many manufacturers started using faux leather for the production of clothing in 1963.
While pure leather is still high in demand in the luxury market, the use of leather in fashion is declining due to consumer sentiment toward its use. So, we seriously hope this trend doesn’t resurface or become popular again.
High Platform Shoes
Oh, these shoes don't look good at all. They might even bring back some really bad memories. We are not big fans of the name high platform shoes. They should really be called "Break-Your-Ankle-Shoes," as wearing these drastically increases the chances of breaking an ankle or a leg. Unfortunately, they were popular in the 1990s. Women wore them with tight mini dresses or sporty pants, and paired those with a crop top.
If anyone wants to bring back this trend, they must be stopped at any cost before people start breaking limbs again. So where do we sign a petition to ensure this trend doesn’t make a comeback?
Bandannas
Bandannas, a go-to hair accessory of the ‘90s, aren’t for everyone. While some people really know how to pull these off, we haven’t seen many people succeed. Of course, we are big fans of Jennifer Lopez, but her low-rise jeans, bedazzled belt, and bandanna kind of prove our point. In the 1970s, Hippie women first popularized the ‘90s trend of wearing bandannas.
While sporting bandanas disappeared in the early 2000s, they seem to be making a comeback in 2021. And no, the comeback is not because of some brand trying to relive glory days. Instead, the bandanna trend is resurfacing in fashion because of teens on TikTok.
High Waisted Jeans
If anyone gives us an option to choose between high waisted jeans and low-rise jeans, we'd happily choose the first option in the blink of an eye. Do we need to explain why even after seeing this ad for Pepsi that looks more like an ad for high waisted denim? This trend rose to prominence in the late '80s and has been making comebacks ever since.
It is not a surprise why we're pretty okay with the comeback of this trend because although it's not that flattering on everyone, it is a thousand times better than low-rise jeans.
Cargo Pants
If Kate Beckinsale couldn’t make cargo pants look cool, what chances do we have? After the comeback of low-rise jeans and slouchy denim, cargo pants also tried to squeeze their way into the fashion world. The truth is that cargo pants are the single worst item any person can wear. That's not what we're saying. A lot of people strongly feel that cargo pants are a really bad choice.
While cargo pants can be polarizing, models and actors have started to wear them. That’s why it wouldn’t be a big surprise if they become a fashion trend again.
Slip Dresses
After the neon travesty of the '80s, some might have expected that a new trend would be more excessive than the previous one. However, the 1990s saw minimalism become the new fashion with slip dresses ruling the runways and the MTV generation following the trend. When the likes of Kate Moss and other celebrities wore silky slip dresses, it was understandable why the trend grew in popularity.
We have to admit that slip dresses are one of those trends that could make a strong comeback, even if some people disapprove of it. We have a feeling that both women and men can get on board with this trend.
Miniskirts
Mary Quant was the creative mind behind the miniskirt. It turned out to be an era-defining look of the 1960s. She was inspired by street fashion, which led to the creation of the miniskirt. Many considered the style daring at that time, but it still became popular among women and men. It won’t be wrong to say that the controversial and revolutionary miniskirt has played an important role in changing fashion history.
In the early 1970s, the miniskirt fell out of fashion. We won’t mind if it doesn’t make a comeback, but there’s no denying that miniskirt has still managed to maintain its timeless freshness.
Low-Rise Jeans
Low-rise jeans were all the rage in the 2000s. Like many horrible trends of the '80s and '90s (yeah, we cannot stop hating acid-washed jeans and cargo pants), this trend was a huge disappointment for so many reasons. The low-rise pants are uncomfortable to wear while traveling or sitting, and some people even claimed that it resulted in poor digestion. The pants add a lot of stress to the waistline and there are so many other reasons why it is the worst fashion choice.
And have we mentioned the dangerously low navel exposure and how it compromises style, class, and comfort on so many levels? In short, this trend is a big NO!
Athleisure
Athleisure didn't start a few years ago. In fact, it evolved from a century-long history of American sportswear. Some would say that Athleisure is wearing gym clothes but with no intention of going to the gym or working out even at home. It is true to some extent, but experts believe that this industry will grow exponentially in the coming years. The term athleisure was first used in 1979 to describe shoes and garments designed for people who want to appear athletic.
Whether we like athleisure or not, it seems like it is going to stay for a long time. Jump on the bandwagon or don't wear them; the choice is yours to make.
Plaid Madness
Fashion enthusiasts are familiar with the plaid madness of the 1990s. The undeniable reality is that plaid has stuck around for decades and has been mostly associated with punk, preppy, and grunge styles. Some claim that it is a versatile fabric, while others simply don’t like it. Over the years, it has become a style of cooler seasons.
One of the reasons behind the popularity of plaid is the stunning actresses in the movie Clueless: Alicia Silverstone and Stacey Dash. Don't they look adorable in matching plaid sets?
Bandage Dresses
French fashion house Hervé Leger introduced Bandage Dresses in the 1990s, and they have been in fashion ever since. The popularity of these dresses started to decline at the end of the 1990s. Still, celebrities like Meghan Fox, Victoria Beckham, Rihanna, and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, kept people's interest in it. Even Kim Kardashian was a big fan of bandage dresses.
Given that these dresses are super flattering and versatile, they are ideal for those who want to put their sexy curves on display. So, it is safe to say that this trend won’t go away too soon.
Bias Cut Dresses
The aftermath of the Great Depression in the 1930s also meant progression in new ideas for designs in women's wardrobes. It also meant women started to wear long skirts with zig-zag seams instead of loose flapper dresses. With a diagonally cut fabric, these dresses focused on accentuating the curves of the wearer. As these dresses were for the women of the '30s, they were pretty modest.
One thing can be said with certainty that women felt relieved as bias-cut dresses marked the welcome return of the waist.
Babydoll Dress
As the babydoll dress became popular in the 1960s, it has somehow found ways to come back into fashion decade after decade. No matter how many times people try to forget a babydoll dress, it always comes back. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that the babydoll dress has a history of somehow rooting in gender politics.
Interestingly, babydoll dress has transformed from lingerie into couture. The incarnation of the babydoll dress truly happened when Twiggy - a British cultural icon and once a prominent teenaged model - wore the look.
Long Gloves
Women in the late 1950s liked wearing long, white gloves to look glamorous and fashionable. Some took it to the next step by wearing gloves that matched their outfit's color. They were cool at that time, but we don’t feel the same way now. However, it might change because celebrities like Rihanna and Beyoncé are trying to bring it back into the fashion world. Not that we need it, but if the queens want it, what can we say?
While women wore long gloves solely to look ultra-fashionable, Marilyn Monroe didn’t need to wear them. After all, she was the queen of glamour.
Geometric Fashion
The world of fashion has always been fascinated with geometry and geometric shapes. Be it triangles, squares, or circles, fashion designers found ways to use them and make clothes look stylish and fashionable. Back in the 1980s and even the '90s, designers were obsessed with geometric shapes to the point that we found them on jewelry, shoes, and bags.
When other fashion trends are making comebacks, we might see this one in the coming years. At least this fashion trend will be perfect for people who feel nostalgic about their high school days and mathematics homework.
Peasant Tops
The peasant top trend has an interesting history. During the late 1960s, young women decided to reject traditional fashion for more original, eccentric styles. And one of those styles was the peasant look. The trend is also associated with American hippie culture. It is interesting how such an unconventional trend managed to stay alive all these years. Maybe it has something to do with its versatility.
Some would say that this trend should stay in the past, but others could argue that it’s bohemian and relatively modest, making it ideal for giving the wearer a rustic yet cool look.
Animal Prints
Fashion designers have been using real fur and animal print for many decades. While we have reached a point in fashion where using real fur in designs is not acceptable, will animal print ever go out of style? Probably not. Once considered a symbol of high status and wealth, animal prints were initially expensive and exclusive. However, animal prints became popular during the Bohemian movement of the '60s.
We have a love-hate relationship with animal prints. We love animals, but we do not want to look like them. Plus, animal prints can look tacky, especially the crazy cheetah-like print.
Patterned Tights
This trend from the 1960s had only one rule: the crazier the better. From psychedelic diamond patterns to pixelated rainbow squares, this trend is bound to make anyone feel a bit dizzy. If anyone wants to dress weirder in 2021, they should go for patterned tights. After all, who is going to judge their outfit when most human interaction happens on Zoom, right?
Honestly, with all the chaos and instability of 2021, we really don't want this fashion trend to make a comeback. But, maybe we’ll welcome this trend in 2060.