- Fashion trends have changed dramatically over the years.
- In the '60s and '70s, people experimented with styles such as bell-bottom pants, unbuttoned shirts, and flowing jumpsuits — all of which were influenced by music and social movements.
- By the '80s and '90s, people favored celebrity-inspired ensembles, especially those worn by icons like Naomi Campbell and the late Princess Diana.
- Throughout the 2000s, designers have borrowed heavily from clothing trends popular in past decades, like animal-print garments and tiny handbags.
Former Miss America winner Henrietta Nesser wears a swimsuit in August 1953. Harold Valentine/APWomen's fashion in the 1950s was all about fitted waists, halter tops, and wearing summer attire all year long, according to Vintage Dancer, a style website and online store created by author Debbie Sessions, who researches the history of fashion.
People also favored rompers and high-waisted pants that were designed to complement swimwear.
A woman wears an ensemble from the Marucelli fashion house in January 1960. Anonymous/APIn the early '60s, many people still sported styles that were popular in the '50s. During this time, women often layered loose-fitting coats over matching dresses and completed their ensembles with coordinating hats, gloves, and short heels.
Onassis and John F. Kennedy head to his inauguration on January 20, 1961. Uncredited photographer/APThe former first lady also often wore tailored coats, elbow-length gloves, and strapless gowns — all of which became huge fashion trends in the '60s and '70s.
Today, this style of collar is fashionable once more. Uncredited photographer/APAccording to Paste magazine, bow collars were commonly worn by women entering male-dominated work fields in the early '60s. The look was said to blend masculine and feminine styles.
The style is still worn frequently today — sometimes even as a political fashion statement.
Two models sport matching beehive hairstyles in January 1964. Popperfoto/Getty ImagesDuring this time, neutral colors were replaced by daring prints and fitted silhouettes gave way to more loose-fitting tailoring, according to the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Sheer fabric was also used more commonly throughout the 1960s, according to vintage pop-culture blog, RetroWaste.
Suits this period featured eye-catching prints, like those worn by The Beatles. Fotos International/Getty ImagesMod, short for modernism, was a subculture known for its focus on music and style. The mod movement is said to have originated from a small group of London-based young men who listened to modern jazz, according to the BBC.
Men who participated in the movement often dresses sharply, donning tailored suits and sophisticated ensembles inspired by British R&B and rock bands.
Models Judy Golm, Cherry Randall, and Jackie Bowyer pose in October 1965. Fox Photos/Stringer/Getty ImagesRather than wearing sleek suits, women donned polka-dot ensembles, black-and-white paneled dresses, and boots inspired by the streamlined designs of André Courrèges, among others.
Twiggy models a dress with a hemline above the knees. Popperfoto/Getty ImagesBut the style was rarely worn over bare legs. Instead, women often styled short skirts with colorful tights, fishnets, and other hosiery.
Three men model suits designed by the German Institute for Fashion in 1968. picture alliance/Getty ImagesThough the film was released a year prior in 1967, fashion inspired by "Bonnie and Clyde" was still prominent throughout 1968. In particular, men often wore pinstripe suits paired with hats in solid colors.
Two women model designs from Javic and Top Style in November 1969. Reg Lancaster/Getty ImagesMany shoes from this period featured short and chunky heels, were made of leather, and reached just above the knee.
Scottish football player Peter Marinell shows off his outfit in March 1970. M. McKeown/Stringer/Getty ImagesAccording to Vintage Dancer, fashion in this decade "couldn’t decide what direction to take or what past decade to emulate." As a result, men wore a mix of everything, including turtlenecks, neck scarves, and wide-legged pants.
A model wears a halter-neck jumpsuit at a photo shoot in December 1971. M. McKeown/Stringer/Getty ImagesThe neckline was seen as risqué at the time. However, it was still commonly found in a variety of ensembles, including jumpsuits, dresses, and swimsuits according to Fashion Era, a blog about the history of women's costume and fashion run by Pauline Weston Thomas.
Four people wear a variety of styles in August 1972. Evening Standard/StringerThroughout 1972, people blurred the lines between men's and women's fashion. They also merged styles from previous decades.
R&B singer Major Lance wears a disco-inspired outfit in October 1973. Michael Putland/Getty ImagesThis year, men often wore bell-bottom pants and platform shoes.
Men and women in New York City wear suits in September 1974. Ernst Haas/Getty ImagesWomen's suits featured a wide range of styles in 1974. Suit-style dresses became fashionable, as did suit jackets paired with skirts.
According to a New York Times report from 1974, the most popular style for men at the time was "leisure suits." The style was meant to look casual and be worn "anywhere but in the office or on formal occasions."
A model wears a jumpsuit during a photo shoot in New York City in 1975. Anthony Barboza/Getty ImagesSince disco-inspired styles were still popular in 1975, many jumpsuits featured wide-legged pant legs and voluminous sleeves.
Two women walk through London in June 1976. Keystone/Stringer/Getty ImagesThe style was a nod to the '20s, when buttons were sewn onto dresses to create a nautical aesthetic, according to Vintage Dancer.
Musician Michael Henderson rocks a plunging neckline in January 1977. Archive Photos/Stringer/Getty ImagesIn 1977, it was common practice for men to fasten only the bottom-most button of their suits and shirts.
Similarly, women gravitated toward bikinis with plunging necklines at the time.
Two people dance in a disco club in January 1978. David Redfern/Getty ImagesDisco music continued to rise in popularity at the end of the '70s, and the release of movies like "Saturday Night Fever" allowed the music-inspired fashion trend to stay strong.
People attend a punk concert at London South Bank University in May 1979. Virginia Turbett/Getty ImagesPunk fashion originated in the UK around 1975 and continued to influence clothing trends toward the end of the decade and into the '80s.
A model poses in New York City in 1980. Anthony Barboza/Getty ImagesWomen also wore a mix of fitted and loose styles throughout 1980, and paired their ensembles with chunky jewelry.
Princess Diana attends the Braemar Gathering in September 1981. Anwar Hussein/Getty ImagesEverything from dresses to blouses featured puffy shoulders in the early 1980s.
Models Marie Helvin and Jerry Hall pose in the UK in 1982. Kypros/Getty ImagesA Macy's catalog from 1982 shows that the two colors were typically worn together in formal ensembles and paired with lace accessories.
Musician Rod Stewart sports an Adidas hoodie in 1983. Dave Hogan/Getty ImagesClothes that represented sports teams were also popular, especially those featuring logos from the National Football League. The trend eventually spread over into women's fashion as well.
A male model wears pinstripe pants at a Jean-Paul Gaultier show in 1984. Pierre VAUTHEY/Getty ImagesAccording to Bustle, most pinstripe pants worn during this time were loose-fitting.
Two women wear layered outfits in 1985. Kerstin Rodgers/Getty ImagesSome women opted for miniskirts paired with tights, while others chose long skirts that flared out at the bottom, according to a 1985 report from the New York Times.
A man attends a rock concert in the '80s. Kerstin Rodgers/Getty ImagesIn the mid to late '80s, men's fashion was influenced greatly by the decade's many glam-rock bands, spawning accessories like leather jackets and studded belts.
A man wears suspenders and high-waisted pants at a club in the '80s. Kerstin Rodgers/Getty ImagesOver the years, suits have never gone fully out of fashion. Instead, people put new spins on the classic style, like adding suspenders in the late '80s.
Model Barbara Smith poses during a photo shoot in the '80s. Anthony Barboza/Getty ImagesA digital copy of Elle magazine from 1988 is full of advertisements for sports attire and athletic-inspired ensembles.
Princess Diana was ahead of her time, wearing a faux-fur coat in November 1987. Tim Graham/Getty ImagesIn 1989, many people protested the fashion industry's use of real fur, which resulted in a number of faux-fur designs becoming trendy, according to Elle.
Naomi Campbell wears a fuzzy black coat in January 1990. Mick Hutson/Getty ImagesAccording to Retro Waste, during this time, "recession-weary shoppers chose to spend money on clothes that would stay in style as long as possible."
As a result, many women opted for fashion basics in subdued colors, such as simple black jackets.
Director Spike Lee wears an athletic jacket at a film premiere in April 1991. Ron Galella, Ltd/Getty ImagesBomber jackets and athletic coats became popular in 1991. The trend was often associated with the growing popularity of hip-hop music.
Naomi Campbell walks the runway at Chanel's Spring/Summer 1992 show. Bertrand Rindoff Petroff/Getty ImagesThis year, vintage styles from the '60s like platform shoes and long skirts became fashionable again.
People wait in line for a music festival in 1993. UniversalImagesGroup/Getty ImagesOveralls were popular among both men and women, and varied in style depending on the season, according to Mental Floss.
In the winter months, people wore overalls with long pant legs, but "shortalls" took over in the spring.
Mariah Carey wears a plaid miniskirt during New York Fashion Week in 1994. Ron Galella, Ltd./Getty ImagesThe print peaked in popularity in the mid-'90s thanks to grunge musicians who wore the trend, such as Nirvana.
The Spice Girls attend the 1995 Brit Awards in colorful outfits. Dave Hogan/Getty ImagesAccording to a Baltimore Sun article from 1995, people began to ditch all-black ensembles in favor of multicolored looks during the mid-'90s.
British pop group Menswear sport loose-fitting clothes in 1996. Martyn Goodacre/Getty ImagesFrom T-shirts to loose-fitting jeans, people preferred comfort over high fashion in 1996.
A high school student wears a pair of boots by Dr. Martens in 1997. Bob Grieser/Getty ImagesAt the time, the brand's classic black boots were among the most popular shoes on the market.
That style of shoe is still trendy, but Dr. Martens now makes footwear in a wider variety of colors, styles, and leather options, including vegan leather.
Members of Destiny's Child wear head-to-toe Tommy Hilfiger in June 1998. Marion Curtis/Getty ImagesClothes that were emblazoned with logos became all the rage in the late '90s.
This trend has recently come back into style, with celebrities now donning looks from brands like Fendi and Gucci.
Rapper Ja Rule wears a bucket hat. Frank Trapper/Getty ImagesThis trend has also become fashionable again in recent years. Celebrities like Rihanna frequently wear the retro look.
Salma Hayek attends the Academy Awards in March 2000. KMazur/Getty ImagesSatin halter tops were particularly popular, according to Bustle. Halter tops with thin, string-like straps were also common.
Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake attend the 2001 American Music Awards. APThis trend was likely influenced by Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake's iconic matching all-denim looks at the 2001 American Music Awards.
Jessica Alba wears low-rise jeans in December 2002. SGranitz/Getty ImagesThe Cut recently predicted that low-rise jeans will soon make a comeback in the fashion industry.
Beyonce attends the 2003 MTV Europe Music Awards. Jeff Kravitz/Getty ImagesLingerie-inspired fashion has become stylish again in recent years.
Actress Traci Bingham models a Von Dutch shirt in May 2004. Jean-Paul Aussenard/Getty ImagesThe brand's trucker hats were particularly popular — nearly every celebrity in Hollywood had one.
Usher wears a Livestrong bracelet to the 2004 Teen Choice Awards. Gregg DeGuire/Getty ImagesThe bracelets were created to raise money for Lance Armstrong's cancer-fighting charity, the Livestrong Foundation.
A.J. McLean from the Backstreet Boys layers a polo over a long-sleeved shirt. Chris Polk/Getty ImagesWhile some layered multiple polos on top of one another, others wore the collared shirt over long-sleeved tops.
Corbin Blue wears a vest to the Disney Channel Games in April 2007. Charity deMeer/Stringer/Getty ImagesSome women put their own twist on the trend by wearing vests as shirts, according to Cosmopolitan.
Rihanna dons shiny leggings while out and about in June 2008. Marcel Thomas/Getty ImagesAt the time, leather and latex leggings were particularly popular.
Models walk the Ed Hardy show at the 2009 Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival. Don Arnold/Getty ImagesThe brand was known for its tattoo-style graphic T-shirts and acid-washed jeans.
Jennifer Hudson wears a peplum top at the 2010 Grammy Awards. Jon Kopaloff/Getty ImagesThe trend swept red-carpet events, business-casual fashion, runways, and more.
Hilary Duff wears a skull-print scarf in February 2011. Marc Piasecki/Getty ImagesThe unique accessory added an edgy touch to any outfit.
Jordin Sparks attends Variety's Power of Youth event in September 2012. Michael Tran/Getty ImagesMarc Jacobs helped popularize the shoe in 2012, according to Elle, and the look quickly caught on with celebrities.
Alicia Keys rocks a black dress with geometric cutouts in January 2013. Francois Durand/Stringer/Getty ImagesGlamour described the trend as "the little sister to the sheer panel," another daring look that was popular at the time.
Rihanna attends the 2014 Met Gala. Charles Sykes/APRihanna was one of at least five stars who wore a crop top to the 2014 Met Gala, proving that the trendy style worked in both casual and formal settings.
Kanye West released his apparel line, Yeezy, in 2015. Randy Brooke/Getty ImagesKanye West's first-ever Yeezy apparel launch in February 2015 was a great example of this trend.
The line's debut collection was full of distressed clothing in a variety of neutral shades, starting a fashion movement that is still popular today.
Gigi Hadid wears an off-the-shoulder dress in November 2016. Jordan Strauss/APAccording to Seventeen magazine, searches for the style increased by 238% in 2016.
Shawn Mendes attends the 2017 American Music Awards. Jeff Kravitz/AMA2017/Getty ImagesToday, colorful, printed suits are often worn on the red carpet by both men and women.
Gigi Hadid wears head-to-toe orange in New York City in December 2018. Splash NewsModels like Bella and Gigi Hadid were some of the biggest fans of monochromatic looks, a style that's comprised of wearing apparel in a single color, or different shades of the same hue.
Bella Hadid wears the "no pants" trend in New York City in January 2019. Splash NewsFans of the daring look include Bella Hadid, Rihanna, Hailey Baldwin, and more.
Tess Holliday wears the popular, strawberry-print dress at the 2020 Grammy Awards. Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/Getty ImagesAs Insider's Palmer Haasch previously reported, cottagecore is "an aesthetic movement that draws together all of the best parts of going off and living in a cabin in the woods."
The rustic and idyllic lifestyle became extremely popular around March 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic began, and has now extended into fashion trends — particularly flowing dresses, embroidered accessories, and neutral colors.
A strawberry-print dress designed by Lirika Matoshi — and worn by Tess Holliday at the 2020 Grammy Awards — is arguably one of the most popular garments from the year that fits in with the aesthetic.
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