Your Mom’s Childhood Closet is Making a Comeback
Norah Ludke and Abigail Ernst
When walking around the halls of T.C., it is evident that trends from the past are back in fashion. Scrunchies, butterfly clips, Reeboks and Converse have all made a comeback. These returning trends pose the question: why bring them back?
“Most of the stuff that is trendy is comfortable, practical, and cute,” said Sophomore Alana Cohen, “Who wants to wear low waisted jeans?”
Many of the trends pull from the freedom 70s and fun of the 80s, however, some come from the early 2000s and 2010s. For example, Birkenstocks were popular in the 60s and 70s, then faded out until the 90s, where they then became a popular fashion trend again, a staple many teenagers’ outfits.
Additionally, chains are back from the 90s and 2000s; Vera Bradley from the 80s; and tortoise shell patterned accessories from the 90s. When it comes to trendy shoes, the most popular types are the throwback style shoes, like Old Skool Vans, Reebok Retro shoes, the Classic Nikes, and the Retro Old School Adidas.
“It is funny how history repeats itself [in fashion], like scrunchies,” said Senior Cherry David.
As a teen, keeping up with current trends can mean finding a fashion “identity” from the aesthetic inspiration from past generations. Similar to the struggle to find an identity in high school, students pull different ideas from different decades to combine into and express their unique self.
However, being with the current trends can come at a price. Birkenstocks alone can cost anywhere from $40 to over a $150. Hydro Flasks, which are insulated water bottles, can cost up to $50, not including all the accessories people use to decorate these bottles.
“These trends can be really expensive [to follow] because everything is high-priced” said David.
The return of these trends demonstrates the long lasting effect of a worldwide fashion. If a trend is popular enough to come back a decade or more later, how many times will they resurface in the future?
In this generation, social media also affects the spread and popularity of trends. Teens draw inspiration from influential people they see on Instagram and Snapchat.
These become the “it” trends that many people follow., and can result in groups of people that tend to dress one way– your modern VSCO girls and E-boys and girls.
“These styles take preppy to another level, it is almost extreme,” said Senior Odalis Del Sid Reyes.
Overall, the trends of this generation have one theme: revival. Most of the clothes and accessories worn are from past generations and mimic older styles. Teens shop at secondhand and thrift stores to find older clothes to wear and re-style. Clothes from all of these decades pile together, so today’s style is a giant, beautiful mix of styles that come together to form can only be described as a revival.
T.C. students wearing a trendy outfit including a scrunchy and tortoise shell necklace
