If the trend cycle is still spinning, it’s only a matter of time before these vintage trends hit the runways and our favorite stores again! As a result of social media and fast fashion, trends are popping up and falling off with a speed we have never seen before. We’ve had our fair share of flops (think: poodle skirts and shutter-shades), but also our fair share of beloved trends that come back every so often (think: flared-jeans and color-blocking). Here are some trends from yesteryear that I would love to see make a comeback.
Y’all hate to hear it, and hate to see it, but I’m going to say it anyway: shoulder pads.
But don’t click away just yet! I’ve got a case to make for this 80’s does 40’s trend. Now that lots of people are going back to work in-person, they’re going to need office wear that will boost their confidence and shake up their wardrobe. When women began entering the workforce in large numbers in the 1980s, they relied on shoulder pads to bring them that confidence and capability to their j0bs. They called it “power-dressing,” and I think that is something we can bring back for today. It doesn’t just apply to blazers! Everyone can rock a sweater, dress, or blouse with shoulder pads. Bringing back shoulder pads is like throwing a grenade into the fashion world. We’ve already seen shoulder pads and boxy, masculine designs make their way back to the runway. For Gucci’s Fall/Winter 2023 show, we saw multiple designs with strong shoulder pads and silhouettes. The best part about bringing back shoulder pads is that we already have the stock for it. Hundreds of great designs are already hanging on the racks at your local thrift store for a great price, making the shoulder pad Renaissance affordable for everyone. For those who are reluctant to adopt the shoulder pad right away, don’t knock it ’till you try it!
Gloves are the most over-looked fashion accessory out there. Worn during the winter, and overlooked during the other seasons, they bring a touch of old-world elegance to a chic design. I’m not talking about bringing back Minnie Mouse style white gloves, that archivists use when handling ancient artifacts. I’m walking about sheer, lacy gloves that have been slowly growing in popularity. They can be opera-length gloves, or gloves that stop at your wrist. We’ve seen Olivia Rodrigo rock the glove trend in concert and on the red carpet already. Anthropologie, Gucci, and For Love and Lemons are selling these ultra-feminine style gloves too. The best part about these gloves is that they give off “fashionable, mysteriously wealthy aunt who travels the world” energy. If that’s not what fashion is all about then I don’t know what is.
Hats are already in style, but I want them to come back into everyday wear. When people think of hats, sometimes they think of the outdated Easter bonnets that their grandmothers wore to Church. I’m talking about a modern twist on cloche hats, cowboy hats, and little Jackie-Kennedy pillbox hats. We can recycle old designs with new fabrics and texture, and style them to fit out modern day wardrobes. We have already seen it happen with bucket hats! Bucket hats are being made out of everything, from leather to faux-fur. The twee-girlies of the 2010s did it with bowler hats and fedoras. (Tread carefully when it comes to fedoras.) It’s high time we do the same for other designs. Hats are great because they shield our faces from the harmful UV rays of the sun, and also cover up bad hair days. They keep loose hair out of our faces, and add a thoughtful touch to an otherwise plain outfit. Hats are super versatile, and can be incorporated into different outfits. Matching your purse to your hat can be add a retro-cute twist to your outfit. For the fall and winter, felt and wool hats keep your head warm. For the spring and summer, light, woven, straw hats prevent sun damage. Hats can come in all shapes and styles, and there is always something for everyone. Even a simple baseball cap can do the trick! There are some people who say “I don’t look good in hats” but I think they haven’t found the right one yet.
“On olden days, a glimpse of stocking was looked on as something shocking, but now God knows, anything goes!” once crooned Cole Porter, and then again years later by Sutton Foster. The world has changed a lot since then, and in the process we’ve left our trusty hosiery behind. There is so much more to the world than the beige pantyhose our grandmothers used to wear. I would love to see a comeback of colorful tights and fishnets. Think of the bright and delightfully tacky tights designs of the 1960s and 1970s. They’re just campy enough to spice up any look, without looking too garish. I am a big fan of lace-patterned tights! Target sells multiple bold patterns for an affordable price. You can also splurge on a fancy pair of tights from Calzedonia. Tights can add an extra sparkle to any outfit. They can keep us warm in the winter, allowing us to wear more daring hemlines and mini skirts. You can buy a pair of wool tights, or find a fleece-lined pair of tights that trick everyone into thinking you’re wearing translucent tights. Tights aren’t something completely new, but they’re just out-of-the-box enough to express yourself. Tights are already making a comeback, as seen on Instagram, by the black-translucent-tights-wearing pioneers. Something I love to do is to wear a black pair of tights, and wear legwarmers over them, or a pair of long socks.
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