"let’s take a moment to look back at the fashion trends and styles that have passed. And maybe make some predictions of the looks to come…" -- Joaquin Montes de Oca, 7th Grade
From saddle shoes and petticoats to bucket hats and cheetah print, we can all agree that fashion has been very fast moving and fast evolving. As we enter this new decade, let’s take a moment to look back at the fashion trends and styles that have passed. And maybe make some predictions of the looks to come…
50’s Fads
The 50’s was an era of petticoats and swing dresses, as well as pencil skirts and blouses. A less formal look might entail Capri pants or high waisted denim. Footwear would consist of either saddle shoes or stilettos. “I often peruse the vintage inspired clothing stores online, and I like to go vintage shopping and I have a petticoat,” says eighth grader Grace Triantafyllos, “[It’s] just basically the way I want to dress, but it's kinda expensive to get a full 50’s wardrobe.”
As rockabilly appeared more and more in pop culture via Elvis Presley, rockabilly styles became more intertwined with the fashion of the era. Fifties men’s fashion stretched from greaser-style leather jackets and jeans to suspenders and Capri pants. The middle sprinkled with high-waisted trousers, penny loafers and jeans.
60’s & 70’s Style
According to Wikipedia, “Fashion of the 1960’s featured a number of diverse trends. It was a decade that broke many fashion traditions, mirroring social movements during the time.” Drainpipe jeans and Capri pants were popularized by fashion icons, like Audrey Hepburn.
Coinciding with the ongoing Vietnam war, hippie fashion was a growing trend. People could be seen in bell bottom jeans, tie-dye shirts, and sandals. By the 70’s, hippie fashion was still alive and well.
80’s Taste
The 80’s were perhaps the peak of fashion history, a refreshing splash of color and patterns with ambitious hairstyles to match, as well as an introduction to neon, a highlight in fashion. The vogue of the 80's was everything from jumpsuits to over-sized blazers. According to Harper's Bazaar, some inspirations for the robust, swirly retro of the eighties were people like Joan Jett and Joan Collins.
A more controversial aspect of eighties fashion would be shoulder pads. Some would call shoulder pads tacky or outdated; however, Triantafyllos does not share that opinion. “I like [shoulder pads],” Triantafyllos confesses. “I like shoulder pads and that's just who I am.” It just goes to show, everyone has their own opinions.
90’s Looks
It borrowed the same mix of flavorful colors and shapes from the 80’s, with a resurgence of high waisted denim. Plaid was very in, put on everything from skirts to blazers as often replicated after it’s appearance in Clueless (1995). This decade also marked the birth of grunge fashion such as flannel, jeans, high tops or vans and beanies.
Hip hop fashion was also very prominent. “90's Hip Hop artists like TLC and late R&B singer Aaliyah spearheaded the fashion trend among women as they adopted the baggy pants, crop tops, big flannels, and brightly colored clothing in their iconic looks,” says NewIdea.com.
2000’s Trends
There is no one way to describe the fashion of the early 2000’s. Some of the most recognizable 2000’s fashion trends would be tube tops, jean jackets, and (for some reason) velour tracksuits.
Prezi.com says, “Globalization also influenced the decade's clothing trends, with the fusion of fashions from around the world being popular.”
2010’s Fancy
Much of the fashion in the 2010’s was heavily influenced by historic fashion, namely the 70’s-90’s, including the popping colors of the eighties and the skater grunge of the nineties. Athleisure such as leggings or sweatpants were commonplace as well.
Predictions For 2020:
Now that we’ve gone over a majority of the different fashion trends throughout the decades, what are some predictions for fashion in the 2020’s?
“I think that specifically more 70's and 80's fashion is making a comeback at this point in time,” says Triantafyllos. While she admits that 50’s fashion is her favorite, flare skirts particularly, she says, “I don't think the 50’s [fashion] is coming back because that time represented much lack of human rights.” Continuing to discuss predictions, Triantafyllos says, “Well, I think that fashion is going to become a little more androgynous, which I think is cool. Like, hopefully less gendered.”
