Past trends frequently resurface in the mainstream, like bell-bottoms and big brows, but not all comebacks are welcome. Many people cringe as mullets and low-rise jeans attempt to weasel their way back into our lives. Let’s explore the fads that should be left in the past for good.
Mullets
Once the hallmark of ‘80s rock stars and rebel youth, the mullet hairstyle is making an unexpected comeback. Sporting short hair at the front and sides with a long party in the back, this style often clashes with modern fashion tastes.
JNCO Jeans
JNCO jeans, known for their excessively wide legs and deep pockets, were a staple of ‘90s skater culture. As fashion attempts to recycle these giant denim trousers, one must question the practicality and aesthetics of such a bold choice.
Neon Windbreakers
Neon windbreakers, once the epitome of sporty chic in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, are trying to make a fluorescent return. Their loud colors and often unflattering cuts can be overwhelming in today’s more minimalist and neutral-colored fashion trends.
Cassette Tapes
The revival of cassette tapes as a medium for music is more about novelty than quality. While vinyl has its audiophile appeal, cassettes are prone to degradation and tangling, making them less practical. This trend is better left behind.
Platform Sneakers
Sky-high platform sneakers are inching back into fashion, reminiscent of the late ‘90s pop culture. However, their impractical height and bulky design pose risks of ankle injuries and falls, overshadowing any style statement they might make.
Low-Rise Jeans
Low-rise jeans are creeping back into fashion circles, threatening to expose more than just poor taste. This early 2000s trend often leads to an unflattering silhouette and discomfort, making them a controversial choice for a comeback. High-waisted jeans have proven more flattering and comfortable for various body types.
Overplucked Eyebrows
The ‘90s trend of over plucking eyebrows to pencil-thin lines is flickering back to life in certain beauty circles. These severely styled brows can detract from natural facial expressions and take years to regrow fully if regret sets in. Fuller, more natural brows enhance facial features better.
Ed Hardy T-Shirts
Ed Hardy’s heavily graphic t-shirts, bedazzled with rhinestones and metallic prints, symbolized extravagance in the early 2000s but lacked relevance in today’s more understated fashion ethos. The brand’s ostentatious designs can appear dated and overly busy against modern minimalism.
Frosted Tips
The hair trend of bleaching the tips, popularized by boy bands in the late ‘90s, is one that many are experimenting with again. However, this style might be best left as a quirky footnote in history.
Tamagotchis
The revival of Tamagotchis taps into ‘90s nostalgia, where these digital pets were a craze. Despite their quaint appeal, these electronic pets demand constant attention to avoid virtual demise, which can be more distracting than delightful in today’s fast-paced lifestyle.
Popcorn Ceilings
Popcorn ceilings are notoriously difficult to clean and can harbor dust and allergens. Some older installations may even contain asbestos, posing health risks during removal. Modern alternatives provide both better aesthetics and functionality without health concerns.
Heelys
Heelys, the sneakers with a hidden wheel in the heel, is rolling back into some niche markets. Despite their novelty, they pose a safety risk on public surfaces and can lead to accidents. As a fun gimmick, they may work, but for everyday footwear, their practicality rolls away.
Butterfly Clips
Butterfly clips are fluttering back into the hair accessory scene, primarily driven by a resurgence in all things Y2K. While cute for occasional wear, they can appear juvenile and out of place in a professional setting.
Vests Over T-Shirts
The trend of wearing vests over t-shirts, a quintessential ‘90s look, does not mesh well with current fashion lines that favor more cohesive layering. This mismatched style often disrupts the silhouette, creating a disjointed appearance. It’s a fashion relic that serves better in sitcom reruns than in modern wardrobes.
Harem Pants
Harem pants, with their exaggerated drop crotch, are once again appearing in fashion lookbooks despite their polarizing nature. They offer comfort but often at the cost of a flattering fit, which makes it challenging to integrate stylishly into modern wardrobes.
Chain Wallets
Chain wallets are resurfacing, reminiscent of 90s grunge and skater subcultures. Although they add an edgy touch, their practicality is questionable in an age where minimalism and digital wallets prevail.
Dial-Up Internet Sounds
The infamous screeching and buzzing of dial-up internet is oddly being used in some retro tech circles for its nostalgic value. In the era of high-speed internet, this is a sound that should remain silenced.
Shutter Shades
Popularized by Kanye West in the late 2000s, shutter shades are making appearances at music festivals and parties. These sunglasses are impractical and purely cosmetic. As a fashion statement, they are more of a novelty than a functional accessory.
Silly Bandz
Silly Bandz, the silicone bracelets that took the form of different shapes, are being sported again for their quirky charm. However, their appeal is limited primarily to children, and they offer little in terms of style or function for adults. This trend might be best left to the playground.
Trucker Hats
Trucker hats are inching back into fashion, often adorned with ironic or retro logos. However, they can come off as dated and clash with modern, streamlined attire. This headgear might be best reserved for themed events rather than daily wear.
MSN Messenger
Some tech enthusiasts are reviving MSN Messenger as a retro alternative to modern messaging apps. While nostalgic, this platform lacks the features and integrations that current communication tools provide. It’s a fond memory, perhaps, but inefficient by today’s standards.
Rat Tails
The hairstyle featuring a long, thin braid or lock of hair at the nape, known as a rat tail, is creeping back into some fashion circles. This look often receives mixed reactions and can be difficult to integrate into a professional appearance.
Baja Hoodies
Baja hoodies, with their distinctive striped patterns and rough texture, are reappearing in casual wear. While they’re celebrated for their bohemian flair, they often lack the comfort and style of modern alternatives. This trend generally offers little in terms of fashion or practicality.
