There are only so many fashion ideas coming from the top designers. After a while, designers backpedal into styles that were popular before, pretending they are new.
The most obvious example, of course is blue jeans. Baby Boomers, Gen Xers and even some Millenials considered jeans an unalterable uniform. Jeans were so central to young people's fashion identities, employers even tried to attract workers by advertising "blue jean" jobs.
But for the last decades, leggings and yoga pants replaced blue jeans for women because they were more comfortable, offered a sleeker look and you could work out in them. Also, in the summer they were cooler. Now jeans are back. What a novel idea. Some are pre-torn--again just like before.
Are flared jeans--aka bell bottoms--just around the corner? And overalls--equal opportunity "sacks" that occluded the body shape of everyone who wore them, both men and women? Already blue jean jackets are re-appearing, sometimes with gauze peasant skirts and jeweled flip flops--an old/new look. Can we soon expect sweat pants to come back which were workout attire before leggings and health clubs?
Dresses disappeared for a long time (except for summer sun dresses) but there are signs they are back too. Especially mid-calf print acetate chemise dresses that once upon a time were called "house dresses" and associated with mothers and aunts. Yes, "old lady" dresses. Will they be paired with anklets and flats in keeping with the retro spirit?
Blue, pink and green hair has been around for a long time but it is not new. Colored hair actually debuted during the punk era along with nose rings, piercings and tattoos. One of these days, colored hair will become so deja vu, it is entirely possible that poodle perms will resurface as featured in 1987 yearbooks everywhere. (Think heavy metal and Twisted Sister.)
There are other fashion trends that could return thanks to the lack of new runway ideas. It is possible the "inverted triangle" of the first wave of militant business women will return. Blazers, shoulder pads, Reeboks the size of snow shoes and 20 pound briefcases swung like machetes. Read: I have a JOB.
And what about the shiny tights, high cut leotards and headbands immortalized by Olivia Newton-John in the hit "Physical"? Already luxury workout clothes are on the horizon--watch out.
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