Fashion Trends That Just Made Sense Growing Up

Although we reminisce and obsess over Britney Spears’ and Justin Timberlake’s full-kit denim, low-rise jeans (absolutely criminal) and frosted tips, we have to admit that we grew up in a different time. 

When we were old enough to start caring about fashion, we were introduced to some questionable fashion statements that genuinely makes me cringe to this day. But that’s exactly what trends are, no matter the context - with fashion, it was just an easy way to express ourselves, even if we were all wearing the same bow headband from Supré. 

Fashion is all about making a statement - no matter how dreadful these trends were, they slapped at the time. Great fashion is all about expression and being unique amongst the crowd, so who knows? Maybe today’s checker box print, high waisted pants and Birkenstocks will go out of fashion soon enough. As Calvin Harris says, they were acceptable in the 2000’s.

Let’s kick back to these nostalgic threads that defined our generation:

Power balance bands

Now, they weren’t necessarily a fashion statement but the amount of times I bumped into a kid with one, it could have been. Every kid with a P&C parent had one of these. I borrowed one from my friend in a crunch and sip break and I frothed over them. It was essentially a silicone wristband with a holographic sticker. 

My parents thought they were a placebo and looking back, I agree too and although the company says it “improves flexibility, balance, and strength”, studies have shown that they have no positive effect. Grateful for my parents not spending their hard earned cash on one of these.

Bow headband from Supré

Since we’re bringing up these bad boys, let’s flashback to:

Oh, the scenes.

I bought these neon, thin and scalp irritating buggers with the little money I had (after I worked up the courage to ask my mum if I could go late night shopping). But in all honesty, I just want to go back to those simpler times. They served no real purpose in holding your hair back but these headbands were the only thing to take your outfit from low to slightly above average.

Coloured skinny jeans

If it wasn’t trendy enough to wear skinny jeans, things had to be taken to the next level with making them in every primary colour. Almost every colour was safe to wear. But why was this acceptable? Why did my parents buy them for me? I thought they were banging in Year 7 and wore them everywhere but good riddance.

Twilight themed everything

As of recent, Twilight is making a bit of a comeback.

@flexmami

Edward and Bella 4ever xx #twilight

♬ original sound - flexmami

Like… for real. Twilight was not a moment, it was not a trend - it is timeless but back then, it was a little cringy. We were all expressing our inner emo with songs like Decode by Paramore on the soundtrack. We read those books from cover to cover. People would ask us, team Edward or team Jacob? None honey, we ALL had a hidden crush on Bella’s dad.

Fluro slogan tees

Okay, but how did these even exist? We went back to back from “Keep Calm And Carry On” tees to “Sorry For Party Rocking” - printed knock-off shirts from markets went flying off the racks. And for what? Celebrities weren’t wearing it. Fashion is expressive in itself, it never needed massive words plastered in calibri font.

Punk rock studded belts

These came in metal and plastic coloured studs. Mum, it was never a phase, it was a lifestyle. I never had one because it felt illegal to look that heavy metal but they were absolutely heinous.

Jeggings

There was a period where every girl was rocking these - something about the elastane that got people excited. You can still buy these from Ally or in those “as seen on TV” infomercial stores but let’s talk about how they don’t have any pockets (even though they have that design)? That’s a crime in itself.

Sportsgirl duffle bags

Back in the day, if you didn’t bring one of these on school camps, you weren’t cool enough. Ngl, they were a simple enough duffle and probably the only item we could ever afford from that store (outrageous) but as we got older, we jumped on the Country Road bandwagon and haven’t looked back.

Camo print 

Why though… Were you John Cena? Were you embodying the You Can’t See Me a little too much? You’re standing under a spotlight in the middle of a packed Westfield babes, you’re not camouflaging at all.

They may not make any sense now but these trends were some great staples back then. The fashion trend cycle is always coming back around (Y2K has taken over right now) but let’s just make a pact to never bring these ones back in style.