by Mia Zarrella, Entertainment Contributor
“Everything comes back into style” has been said so often that it is verging on cliche. Every time you hear it, you nod your head in agreement and proceed to toss your beloved, but “outdated” clothing.
Then, a year passes and you start seeing 20-something-year-olds parading around in the same high-waisted jeans that you sported in your “glory days.” And they aren’t wearing them ironically. Those jeans are actually back in style. So, you race to your closet to pull out your favorite Levi shorts, but you come up empty-handed.
You gave those shorts away years ago. It is a casualty, but you learn from experience and move on. The lesson to be learned: Fashion is cyclical. What goes around comes back around and this year, styles from the 1970s, ’80s, and ’90s are coming back.
Let me guess, you just cringed.
Skepticism about the revival is understandable, considering the seemingly ridiculous outfits in old sitcoms and our parents’ yearbooks, but these clothes aren’t coming back without a makeover.
The high-waisted pant and crop-top trend has been established and modernized for a couple years now, but those aren’t the only clothes getting a second wave.
The 1970s’ extreme bell-bottom jeans are getting revitalized and so are funky printed fringe kimonos and flower headbands. And denim on denim is now acceptable, along with overalls, and “Dad Jeans” (if you don’t know what Dad Jeans are, think of Bob Saget). Also springing back into style are scrunchies. What’s more hip than a scrunchie? How about a fanny pack.
If you’re wincing at the fanny pack, “Interstellar” and “Dallas Buyers Club” actor Matthew McConaughey sports one and high-end designers are giving fanny packs a makeover.
Tevas, a sport sandal “crafted for the young-at-heart” are also being reimagined. Once considered childish, dorky, or sporty, these shoes are now being sold at locations like the bohemian-hipster clothing corporation, Urban Outfitters and the trendy retailer, Nasty Gal. Worn with and without socks, these ’90s-throwback sandals now come in all different styles and are being welcomed back with open toes by men and women, alike.
American clothing manufacturer, American Apparel, is another retail company famous for revamping retro Americana styles with today’s cuts and hems.
Though it may seem like it, the Millennial generation is not borrowing styles from the past by lack of creativity. This is a natural fashion progression. Designers and fashionistas are thinking of fresh ways to wear clothing that was popular years ago. And the sprouting appreciation for all things vintage like, shopping second-hand, buying vinyl, and using Polaroid cameras explains the retro clothing takeover.
So it might be time to watch some reruns of “Saved by the Bell” and “Full House” to inspire tomorrow’s outfit. The styles of the past are finally being re-understood and appreciated for the perfect trainwreck that they were.
