Fashion Forward: A look into fall fashion trends and their origins
With fashion trends constantly cycling through, not everyone may know where they originally began. In light of some recent fall fashion trends, the ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s and ‘00s are analyzed.
November 21, 2022
Mellow ‘70s
Today, the revival of ‘70s fashion can be seen in the popularization of crocheted goods, trends to make your own clothing, and flare jeans back in style. What is most apparent is the correlation to social justice topics such as the anti-racist uprisings in the summer of 2020 and LGBTQ rights and representation in pop culture.
“Fashion is a way of expressing yourself, to try something different and fashion definitely has a big impact on that,” Maya Prince, senior, said. “In general, everyone knows me for being like the hippy crystal girl. I like to influence other people to dress however you want, you are you.”
‘70s fashion was a reflection of the ‘60s and the rise of “hippie” fashion in the mainstream. Representative of the rejection of consumerist ideologies, crochet, patchwork and embroidery worked its way into fashion collections. Women and men began genderbending clothing: women’s formal and informal clothes began to blend together and men had the “Peacock Revolution” when men could wear bright colors and prints.
“I like that decade because of the music,” Tatum Hernandez, senior, said. “Some of my favorites are Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac, The Who and obviously Queen. They are my biggest inspiration.”
Electric ‘80s
Now, the normalization of athleisure wear can be seen as rooted in the ‘80s, as well as power suits, legwarmers and oversized glasses.
“I’m big with bright colors, so I’d say I take most inspiration from the ‘80s. It’s more of just the ease of chic and trying to put everything together to make it look cute,” Alexis Perez, senior, said. “I literally own like 12 Blazers because of Heathers. I still wear them if I go out to a nice place, I love them.”
Known for their sports wear, the ‘80s was the beginning of women’s bodies shaping the clothing rather than the clothing creating the shape for them. Besides sportswear, a “New Romantic” look took over—puffed sleeves, oversized accessories and an overall more eccentric look for both genders. There were women wearing shoulder pads as they entered a male-oriented work environment and men wearing more feminine clothing that had a theatrical touch.
“I really enjoy the ‘80s because of all the bright colors and neon,” James Ferguson, senior, said. “I like neutrals on me, but if everyone was wearing neon, I’d love to wear neon. But no one really wears neon anymore, unless you’re a middle schooler.”
Neon ‘90s
With the rise of the “grandma” look and oversized sweaters, it’s clear that the ‘90s still has influence today. Not only that, but slip dresses, corduroy and sweater vests are coming back into style.
“I would say I find my fashion inspiration from like ‘90s music artists, I think one of them is definitely Aaliyah,” Ari Jamerson, junior, said. “I just love that whole era. I love ‘90s fashion, I love this baggier look but we’re also making it chic and feminine.”
The 90s were not as vibrant as the ‘80s, more muted colors and minimalist styles became popular; although the oversized sweaters did stay. Biker shorts with oversized shirts, overalls and bucket hats were popular, and halfway through the decade the schoolgirl look became more popular because of pop stars like Britney Spears. Subcultures that are still popular today are ‘90s streetwear—baggy jeans, graphic tees and statement sneakers were staples.
“My favorite trend right now is corduroy,” James Ferguson, senior, said. “The fact that it has a visible texture where you can see all the lines, it’s fun.”
Retro ‘00s
Although the Matrix look is not what is fashionable today, the y2k trend has gained traction. Leather skirts and pants, low rise pants and claw clips are back in style, as well as baby tees with simple designs.
“The early 2000s is a style that I admire because I feel like it was so eccentric,” Evvy Kikkert, sophomore, said. “It was an era where people didn’t necessarily know what they were doing and I find that almost comforting since the early 2000s doesn’t have as obvious of an aesthetic than earlier eras did.”
It was the start of the new millennium, and they sure tried to look like it. The early 2000s went for a futuristic look with leather prints, mesh shirts and metallic or shiny materials. To top it off, the ultra-low rise, ultra flared jeans paired with a crop top were the go to of the decade, showing off as much of the midriff as possible.
“If I could go back in time for the fashion, probably by the way I dress now, I’d go back to the ‘90s or early 2000s,” Angelica Rzeznikowski, senior, said. “It feels powerful to wear what I want to wear and not have anybody be able to say anything about it.”
