Although some trends are timeless, most of them end up being fads. The idea of what’s “in” is always changing, and when you look back at things from different decades over time, a lot of it seems, well, ridiculous. From conservative looks to the overly revealing, these are the tackiest trends that were once considered the most popular.
scarves in scarves
No matter what kind of weather it was outside, scarves had a serious moment in the past, both indoors and out. From bold bold colors to patterns like stripes and polka dots, these scarves often clash with outfits. Today, they are seen more as an accessory that complements an outfit in a neutral way or keeps you warm, rather than standing out.
Pants with excess pockets
Cargo pants suffered especially from this, but they were really all kinds of baggy pants, which were all the rage from the ’80s to the early 2000s. They were the opposite of fashion and made everyone look like they weighed more than they really did. JNCO jeans were the worst. No one actually used these extra pockets, but they were somehow considered cute in the past.
Leggings with shorts, skirts or dresses
Today, not a few people would raise an eyebrow at this combination. These things are usually worn on their own, nowadays, or with leggings, and can look a bit chaotic and busy when combined. Nowadays, leggings are quite a trend on their own!
leg warmers
These unique leg pieces first went viral in the ’80s, when fitness icons and actresses like Jane Fonda wore them all the time. They were often paired with leggings and bright colors, and although designed for actresses, many girls and women wore them with sneakers, boots, and flats. Some even carried them in their arms!
Layers of many bracelets
Today, it is a single bracelet or, at most, a few minimalist bracelets. But women used to wear tons of different bracelets, sometimes in similar styles, and sometimes completely different from each other. From silicone bracelets to chunkier monstrosities, this accessory was everywhere, once.
hair feathers
It may be common to wear hair extensions today, but you won’t see many women with feathers in their hair. Although models, celebrities, and fashionistas wore these nature-inspired accessories in their hair a couple of decades ago, more modern styles have replaced them.
Net/mesh clothing
From mesh shirts, dresses, sleeves, and other fishnet-like clothing, this style was a way of layering textures and looking punk rock back in the day. However, they fell apart easily and were difficult to maintain. Today these looks would be considered just beachwear.
bandana shirts
Tube tops and sleeveless shirts are still being interpreted in new and creative ways, but bandana tops were definitely a thing in the ’90s. I mean, they could perfectly rock a belly button ring and paired with those baggy jeans with pockets, so why wouldn’t you use them? Many girls also wore them with low-rise jeans for a cringe-worthy combination.
wedge sneakers
In the mid-2000s, everyone had a pair of wedge sneakers, but they’re not exactly at the height of popularity in the fashion world today. They were a solid way to add height while maintaining the sneaker look and being more comfortable than a heel. But today, it’s more common to see chunky retro sneakers or different types of running shoes.
Designer Trucker Hats
Remember when Von Dutch hats were all the rage? They were overpriced, ugly and in your face. But we never saw these hats come back; instead, they were slowly disappearing. Everyone who has had one of these will probably admit to being embarrassed by it.
furry boots
Everyone can have a pair of Uggs in the winter when they’re feeling lazy and just want to keep warm, but you’ll rarely see a pair of fuzzy boots, which were poplar at the same time as Moon Boots. Snooki popularized them back in the day, and other celebrities rocked this weird trend as well, oddly enough.
platform flip flops
Platform flip-flops were popular back when the Spice Girls were considered relevant, and if you grew up in the ’90s, you probably owned a pair. They were an uncomfortable recipe for a sprained ankle, and they looked ridiculous, too.
