In the past few years, society has seen a severe increase in older fashion trends coming back around. Gen Z especially have been the leaders in changing the status quo. They’re bringing back trends that date all the way back to the late 80’s. From low-rise jeans to feathery eyebrows and even mullets, older generations are getting a blast from the past.
Let’s start with what could be the most popular current fashion trend—low-rise jeans. This popular pant style first came about in the 90’s, however, they quickly gained popularity in the early 2000’s. This is thanks to popular celebrities like Britteny Spears and Paris Hilton. Even Lindsay Lohan who starred in the movie Mean Girls wore them to the red carpet multiple times during the Y2K era. Similarly, it was popular celebrities such as Bella Hadid and Hailey Bieber who have bought these jeans back in style. They’ve paired them with cropped sweaters and tight tees which are also very popular in today’s fashion world.
Another rising trend that’s been making a comeback is feathery eyebrows. This makeup trend is very different from previous eras like the very thin eyebrows from the 90’s, super highly arched eyebrows in the 2000’s, and bold brows from the 2010’s. The reason for this resurfacing is because of how it flows with other current makeup trends. In recent years, the super heavy and matte makeup trend has faded out and more natural and glowy makeup has returned. People have typically opted for more of a thin lip gloss rather than a matte red lip. They’ve turned to thin mascaras instead of fake eyelashes or lash extensions. And this is for a lot of reasons. Mainly because it takes less time and effort. It’s exhausting to wake up every day and put a full face of heavy makeup on. Plus this look is very in line with other current trends that have arisen via social media in the past few years. One of these being the “clean girl aesthetic.” This aesthetic focuses on simplicity such as glowy skin, neat and slicked back hair, and neutral toned clothing.
So far we’ve talked about makeup, we’ve talked about clothing. Now let’s talk about hair. Mullets were on the rise back in the 70’s and were most popular with famous musicians such as David Bowie, Mick Jagger, Rod Stewart, and Keith Richards. Even female rock stars like Patti Smith and Joan Jett took on this look. While mullet’s never completely disappeared, they definitely got a lot less popular between the 90’s and 2000’s. However, I’m sure that if you look around, you’d see a lot more mullets today than you’d expect. Many think the reason for this is because of the COVID-19 pandemic where many people were unable to get their hair cut. This resulted in shorter haircuts growing longer on the sides and in the back. When hair salons and barber shops reopened more regularly, stars like Miley Cyrus and the Tiger King “Joe Exotic” seemed to have already brought the trend back. Another rising hair trend which is seen more in women is the super short bob. Back in the day (like in the 1920’s and 30’s) it was normal for women to have super short hair. While this may be a chic look, the reality is that a super short bob is hard to maintain. You either have to cut it regularly, or take the time to grow it out where it may get stuck at an awkward length between the chin and shoulders. However, if you scroll on pinterest for some hair inspiration, you’ll see more and more celebrities with an ultra short bob. Just look at pop star Gracie Abrahms or actor Lily Collins.
Don’t think we’ve skipped past the shoe industry. Although these may be some of the most shocking trends yet. It’s no surprise that over the past ten years, Converse Chuck Taylors have been making a comeback. With a variety of colors and patterns, I find it hard to believe that some people have never owned a pair! They’re pretty stylish, comfortable, and not too expensive when compared to Nike’s brand new Jordan’s. Another shoe that is interestingly on the rise are Adidas Sambas. While some may say they look like shoes you’d find at the bowling alley, others say that they’re the perfect trendy fashion sneaker that elevates any outfit. They give a retro look with a modern feeling.
To conclude, there have been many trends resurfacing from the 1900’s. From clothing trends, old shoes with new vibes, and fresh haircuts- the fashion industry has come a long way in the past few decades. Which of these trends is your favorite? Or what kinds of trends from the past do you hope to see resurface in the future?
