10 Vintage Fashion Trends That Are Slowly Making Their Way Back
Fashion trends come and they go, and they somehow manage to find a way to becoming the hip, new thing again. Even the vintage fashion trends that its original generation thought they would never see again have become twice as popular than it was the first time around. Here are 10 of the most iconic vintage trends that are making its way back on the latest fashion list.
1. Crop Tops
Although variations of this first vintage trend have been made over the past few decades, this is by no means a new trend. The crop top made its grand debut in the 1940s but didn’t begin to reach its peak until the hippie movement in the 1970s. Over time, pop culture became a heavy influence, going into the 1980s when aerobics and Madonna were all the rage. Then, artists like Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears became an inspiration for the 90s kids to expose their bare midriff. After a brief break from this popular trend, we begin to see a more sophisticated take on the crop top from various designers in the early 2010s. Since then, the crop has taken on forms of elegancy and casualty for both women and men.
2. Overalls
This next trend has repeatedly come in and out of style. It goes all the way back to the 1890s by designer Levi Strauss, starting as a protective working garment for men. Soon, the bib was added to the mix in 1911, and it wasn’t before long when women began picking up on the trend during WWI. Disappearing in the 1950s, not being used for work or leisure, it made its way back in the 1970s, and then again in the 90s. Since then, we’ve seen various styles of the overalls, including the “shortals”, which are more popular in the spring and summer.
3. Scrunchies
We all know that this next vintage trend is in full swing. The scrunchie was invented in the 1960s but didn’t get patented until 1987. It could either be worn to tie long hair up without the dent from regular hair ties or simply worn to enhance an outfit. Soon after this trend became popular, larger versions of the scrunchie came into play, which helped make its statement until it began to fizzle in 2003. Once sightings of the scrunchie were spotted by celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, the flower of the scrunchie began to bloom once again
4. Slip Dresses
The word slip began as a use for a median between underwear and outerwear, particularly sheer dresses. Before long, this piece soon became a part of the underwear-as-outerwear trend, invented by Madonna in the 1980s with her signature cone bra, and made its peak in the 90s. Since then, slips have become a little more practical and can be worn in many different ways.
5. High Waisted “Mom” Jeans
When this trend was invented in the 1980s, it was considered “uncool” for the younger generation, so it was only mainly seen on middle-aged women. Once low-rise jeans became out of style after their hype in the early 2000s, Mom jeans suddenly went from “uncool” to “super cool” in the blink of an eye. Now seen in stores like Urban Outfitters and Topshop, the stereotype of Mom Jeans being only for old people soon faded, having the very appropriate name stick.
6. Tie-Dye
During its time, no craze was as iconic as tie-dye print. This bright, colorful trend was on the rise in the 1960s as a form of protest to the Vietnam War by promoting peace and love. Though it was the most popular in the 60s, it first rose to popularity in the late 20s, as a way to decorate your house without spending that extra money. Though it keeps going in and out of style every few years, today, tie-dye is as popular as ever. And with the news being as it is today, the counter-movement that is tie-dye is just as relevant today.
7. Grunge
Whenever I think of this next fad, the first things that come to mind are flannels and the smell of “teen spirit.” Most popular in the 80s and 90s, this fashion trend was named after the style of music that emerged in Seattle. If you look at bands such as Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Pearl Jam, you can definitely find one thing in common about their style in the early 90s: their “unclean” fashion made them rebels of their generation. It slowly fizzled but made its way back with a subculture including casual items of this generation and pastel colors called “soft grunge.” Similar to tie-dye, the style of soft grunge has become a form of rebellion to the classier trends.
8. Duster Coats
No, it is not the same thing as a trench coat. They are fitted for the waist and are not waterproof. The original design of the duster was to protect drivers in the 1920s (when their cars had no closed windows) that needed that extra shoulder-to-ankle protection. Nowadays, a girl can put on a cute sweater to go under this lighter garment with a pair of stockings and heels, and it can be a dope AF outfit!
9. Cat-Eye Frames
Invented in the 1930s, as a way to give women’s eyewear a different sense of style, cat-eye frames became a huge trend in the 60s when Audrey Hepburn in the cult classic Breakfast at Tiffany’s. As time passed, the smaller frames, known in the 40s as the “harlequin”, started to get bigger and thicker. Now, with the retro trends coming back in style, the different sizes have started to find their way back as well.
10. Chunky “Dad” Shoes
This is another trend that young people deemed to be “uncool” in their time. Now, they’re making its way back to the list of popular trends, whether you love them or hate them. Giving off all of the 90s dad vibes, designers, and fashion icons such as Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner, began to figure out ways to make them relevant in the 2010s. And, boy, have they become relevant.
