Trendy or Tacky?
Fashion trends come and go, and more often than not, they're recycled. The styles we used to see in the '90s and 2000s have been steadily making a comeback, and we've wholeheartedly embraced their resurgence. Some trends, on the other hand, were major misses, and we continue to cringe at them (even if, deep down, the nostalgia makes us a bit fond). With that said, here are 10 evergreen fashion trends and 10 embarrassing ones.
1. High-Waisted Jeans
Low-waisted pants might be the current popular trend, but high-waisted bottoms will forever be part of our wardrobes. The main reason for this is that while low-waisted options might suit certain body types, high-waist flatter every silhouette.
2. Denim Jackets
Denim jackets, whether cropped, fitted, or oversized, are evergreen; they go well with just about any outfit and can be worn in any season. Don't let others judge you for pairing denim with denim, either—we say it's a great trend.
3. Leather Jackets
Like denim jackets, leather jackets are also here to stay. Vintage ones, with faded washes and embroidery patches, might be the look you'll see lots of people wearing, but plain oversized leather jackets are just as trendy.
4. White Sneakers
Nothing beats a pair of white sneakers. You might have seen New Balance "dad" sneakers recently come back in trend, and while it might stay, it's most likely for the current aesthetic only. White shoes, on the other hand, are popular no matter the season, year, or generation.
5. Crop Tops
Like it or not, crop tops are here to stay. Popularized in the 1940s and still widely seen in the market today, these tops are a testament to their status as an evergreen fashion piece. Whether it's a tube top, a chopped tee, or a cropped cami, they're basic must-haves for any closet.
6. Leggings
Leggings are another fashion staple that continues to hold strong. In fact, flared leggings have recently made a comeback, which led to bootcut and bell-shaped bottoms being brought back into the spotlight as well. And since leggings are versatile, they can complement any outfit.
Ambitious Studio* | Rick Barrett on Unsplash
7. Varsity Jackets
Aside from denim and leather jackets, varsity jackets are also in the limelight. You might think that they're only suited for younger generations, but these jackets can pair well with anyone's outfit, regardless of age. After all, they're stylish, timeless classics.
8. Polo Shirts
Polo shirts are a great basic to have. Not only are they comfortable to wear, but they also flatter everyone, no matter their body shape. They're also easy to style since their versatility means they go well with just about everything, whether you're dressing up or down.
9. Camel Coats
Who says you can't be both warm and stylish in the colder months? Though camel coats look similar to trench coats, their plus is that they're thicker and made from a blend of wool or cashmere, which will protect you from chilly weather.
10. Sweater Vests
Some people might argue that sweater vests look outdated and difficult to create outfits with, but they're much more flexible than you think. In winter, you can layer pieces underneath and over it; in summer, you can wear them on their own. Plus, you can rock sweater vests for both business and casual fits.
Those are the 10 evergreen fashion trends that will continue to stay. Now, here are the 10 fashion trends that we'll forever be embarrassed about.
1. Saggy Pants
Popularized by rap and hip-hop artists in the 1990s, saggy pants are exactly that—pants that sag below the bum. It's a style that's claimed to have originated from prison, where inmates were often clad in ill-fitting uniforms with no belts, which resulted in a sagging look.
2. Popcorn Shirts
If you ask us, these odd ruffled shirts can go straight to the bin. You might have seen them called bubble shirts previously. The "charm" to these was that they were the size of your hand but stretched to fit your body—though anyone who has ever worn these will tell you they were extremely itchy.
HU HAEILL EYHALU 1112 on Wikimedia
3. Crocs
Crocs are still all the rage even now due to their comfort, but we can probably all agree they're not the best-looking shoes on the market. It's unclear whether these will continue to stay in trend, but given that they've been popular since the early 2000s, it's a safe bet they'll continue to be a staple—just an embarrassing one.
4. Big Shoulder Pads
Do you remember when super wide shoulder pads were a thing? Back in the '80s (and even earlier), blazers, coats, sweaters, and blouses used to come with built-in shoulder pads in them, typically in womenswear. It was a style meant to symbolize female empowerment, especially in the workforce.
5. Furry Boots
No, we're not talking about Uggs. We're talking about the super puffy faux-fur boots that were stylish back in the early 2000s. Contrary to how they looked, they weren't exclusively worn in the winter. In fact, they were worn over jeans or with skirts and shorts.
6. Big Hair from the '80s
Another fashion trend hailing from the '80s was gigantic hair. These poofy perms and mullets were hairstyles with maximum volume, often doubling the size of your head. They eventually fell out of style as people embraced their natural locks again—probably because these hairdos caused a lot of damage.
7. Velour Tracksuits
These velvet-soft tracksuits were extremely popular in the 2000s. They often came as a set, with matching hoodies and pants, and were in monochromatic shades like pink or purple. Perhaps even more iconic than their look and feel were the words written across the bum.
8. Sequin Shirts
Sparkly sequin shirts are another fashion trend we're glad is in the past. Not only were these itchy to wear (and noisy), they were next to impossible to wash. The only time you'd wear these shirts was to a disco party—and that's if you wanted to rival the shine of the glittering ball.
OurWhiskyFoundation on Pixabay
9. Bubble Skirts
You may have seen Princess Diana or Madonna wearing these poofy skirts. They bunched up at the hem like a semi-deflated balloon (you're welcome for the imagery) and were occasionally paired with leggings underneath. Though no longer in style, who knows—you might still come across someone wearing it to a dance party.
10. Neon Workout Clothes
We all know this fashion trend—the retro bodysuits with neon leggings and matching headbands, socks, and leg warmers from the '80s. These workout fits were memorable, to say the least. It wouldn't be surprising for people to still be fond of the style, despite how wacky it looked.
