Fashion Reincarnation: The Trends That Must Return

By Amanda Cohen on February 15, 2016

Once high-rise shorts and pants came back into style, a trending thought among all fashionistas’ minds was what other styles can we bring back from past decades?

Now, I am not saying that it’s time to bring poodle skirts and bloomers back in haute couture form, but rather I’m thinking of trends that can be revamped to fit our 21st century image.

1920: Gatsby-Like Fashion and Prosperity

Most of those in generation X think of the 1920s strictly through the large green eyes on the billboard of the film The Great Gatsby. I love the party scenes in the movie just as much as the next person, but fashion in the 1920s goes so far beyond that.

I’m talking about a time of fashion where women looked completely badass with a string of pearls around their necks, extravagant hats or headdresses on their heads, and flapper dresses that would allow them to swing and dance till they dropped.

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I think we can all agree on the fact that pearls never go out of style, so it will never be an issue convincing the general population that pearls have to make a comeback. However, the flapper dress poses an issue in the sense that why would anyone want to wear these to their next cocktail party or Thursday night outing with the girls? I don’t think that we necessarily have to reincarnate the flapper dress, but we should create some flapper-inspired outfits.

Flapper dresses are essentially dresses that are covered with fringe. So, why not start incorporating fringe into our everyday looks? Seriously, it can be as simple as adding fringe to the sleeves of a blouse or jacket, or maybe even a purse and shoes.

In addition, instead of wearing your usual necklace, opt for some pearls instead (not saying you have to go out and buy real pearls because, let’s be real, no one can afford that on a college budget). Also, the hats and headdresses might be a little much for today’s style, but why not try a hairstyle that incorporates an extravagant pin? You can seriously take this 1920s trend and make it your own!

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1970: Turn the Beat Around

When one thinks of disco fashion, they usually think about lots of sequins and go-go boots. In reality, disco attire was so much more than that (not to mention so much cooler). It’s time to bring back flare pants and hot pants paired with body suits.

Flare pants (also known as bell-bottoms) are slowly, but surely, making their way to runways and clothing stores worldwide. However, the comeback isn’t going fast enough, so, I am here to declare that flare pants are back! No longer do women have to constrict themselves to skinny jeans that barely go up their ankles … think about how much easier it is to dance in bell-bottoms!

Whether you want them to be patterned, solid-colored, denim, or stretchy material, you can’t go wrong!

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Hot pants are cool, flattering and stylish, but still not entirely socially acceptable; this needs to change immediately. We are halfway there with bringing high-rise shorts back into the game, but hot pants are a little bit different. Yes, they are tight; yes, they are short; yes, they are high-rise, but what’s wrong with that? There are a multitude of ways to wear these shorts because they come in so many different styles, colors, patterns, and materials. Maybe you want a pair with some ruffles at the end to look both hot and adorable. Maybe you want tight leather hot pants so that you can give off more of a hardcore vibe. No matter how you decide to wear them, the bottom line is that hot pants need to be brought back ASAP.

I live in a house with 60 girls and the item that is most sought after on Thursday nights is body suits. There is something that makes you feel so stylish when you put on a body suit rather than just a regular top. Body suits perfectly tuck into just about anything and you don’t need to worry about it looking sloppy because it is all in one piece.

Body suits paired with flared pants and hot pants are the move 100 percent. Since flared pants have a lot of material, the body suit will ensure that you don’t look like you have as much material on the top half of your body. Essentially, the complete outfit will look like a one-of-a-kind jumpsuit. If you are going to wear hot pants, you have to look sleek and ensure that everything looks like it is in place correctly. The body suit will tuck into the pants without leaving marks or creases. Instead of a jumpsuit, you will put together an extremely unique and trendy romper!

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1980: Giving Metallica and Nirvana a Run for Their Money

Looking like a “badass” goes further beyond just wearing a leather jacket and some studded boots. The 1980s brought about “rock-glam” fashion for women, which combined the best of high fashion and grunge-styled clothing. The best part about this sort of attire is that you don’t even have to be going to a heavy metal concert to sport the bests of this look.

Looking for an outfit to go to the bars on Thursday night? Look no further. Find a leather jacket, some black leather or studded booties, black or waxed skinny jeans, and a dark colored top and you’re golden! Glam-rock fashion can be dressed up or dressed down, and you will look cooler than the T-Birds and Pink Ladies in Grease!

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In order to complete the glam-rock look, hair and makeup must be on point! You want to stick with the rock and roll theme of the outfit, but you also don’t want to wear too much makeup. Combine dark charcoal and light grey eyeshadows for the perfect eye filler. Instead of using eyeliner, take a thin brush and use the charcoal as eyeliner (it looks less harsh). A high ponytail also complements the look perfectly. Don’t make the ponytail too slicked back; take a small comb and tease your hair a bit to give it some volume!

If you want to make your outfit look a little more Fashion Week-esque, I suggest adding some lace to your look. Adding lace can be as simple as wearing a lace bralette underneath a loose or shear top. Since the lace accent will be so subtle, you can add some color to your look. Deep plum, dark red, cream, light grey, or even emerald green will both allow you to stick with the rock and roll theme, and give your outfit a pop!

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With these suggestions in mind, I am also going to caution against some styles that must be kept in the past. Just to name a few, jelly sandals, crocs, dungarees, and perms all need to remain a distant memory. Also, just saying, the only people who can pull off denim on denim are Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake … no one butcher this iconic look by trying to recreate it!

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