It's a new year, and along with new stylish resolutions, we're reflecting on clothing of the past. A new Vanity Fair article claims that while music, technology, and other creative fields have made leaps and bounds over the past 20 years, fashion is in a serious rut.
While many style experts claim the '90s are back, we're wondering if they ever really left. In 1992 there were no DVDs, MP3s, or wireless Internet (most of us didn't even GO online, let alone do our shopping there). Forget about iPods - even cell phones were scarce. But in 1992 our closets looked a lot like they do today.
The style of previous decades can be easily defined. The 1950s showcased full skirts, sheath dresses, neckerchiefs, poodle skirts, cardigans, Chanel-style women's suits. The 1960s were dominated by mini skirts, mod shift dresses, go-go boots, tie-dye, paisley, psychedelic prints, and bell bottom jeans. The '70s had jersey wrap dresses, polyester leisure suits, wide lapels, platforms, and high-waisted flared trousers. The '80s had an abundance of color, preppy polos, shoulder pads, pegged and skinny jeans, leather jackets, Wayfarer sunglasses, big earrings, lace, pumps, Members Only jackets, and spandex garments like leggings and leotards.
When you watch "Dynasty" or "The Brady Bunch" you take one look at the outfits and know which era the show is from. But what about "Friends" or "Will & Grace" or "Sex and the City"? The '90s and '00s are much tougher to pin down. There was the grunge movement with plaid flannel shirts, Doc Martens, Converse sneakers, and straight leg jeans like Levi's 501s, but all these items are still incredibly popular. Floral dresses, neon, denim shirts and jackets, and graphic print t-shirts never went away, and the cropped tops of the '90s have made a comeback. Overalls and cargo pants have gotten the boot, but really not much else has changed in 20 years. The biggest fashion trends of the last decade are Ugg boots, Ed Hardy, hoodies, track suits, and jeggings. Not exactly stylish items we can be proud of.
While designers keep recycling trends from decades past, garments fit better than ever. The over-saturated denim market means there's a cut for everyone making dreaded "mom jeans" essentially nonexistent. We also love having lots of variety. Skinny jeans, flared jeans, trouser jeans, black jeans, colored jeans, high-waisted jeans, low rise jeans -- if they're all equally popular, we'll no longer look back at photos and laugh at our dated denim. And thanks to those great advancements in technology we can have everything delivered to our front door with the click of a button. That innovation in itself may be enough to tide us over for a little while, but our buying fingers are getting anxious.
While many style experts claim the '90s are back, we're wondering if they ever really left. In 1992 there were no DVDs, MP3s, or wireless Internet (most of us didn't even GO online, let alone do our shopping there). Forget about iPods - even cell phones were scarce. But in 1992 our closets looked a lot like they do today.
The style of previous decades can be easily defined. The 1950s showcased full skirts, sheath dresses, neckerchiefs, poodle skirts, cardigans, Chanel-style women's suits. The 1960s were dominated by mini skirts, mod shift dresses, go-go boots, tie-dye, paisley, psychedelic prints, and bell bottom jeans. The '70s had jersey wrap dresses, polyester leisure suits, wide lapels, platforms, and high-waisted flared trousers. The '80s had an abundance of color, preppy polos, shoulder pads, pegged and skinny jeans, leather jackets, Wayfarer sunglasses, big earrings, lace, pumps, Members Only jackets, and spandex garments like leggings and leotards.
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