Modern Styles Recycled From The Past

By Janey Dike on August 28, 2014

This article is brought to you by CORT, a subsidiary of Berkshire-Hathaway and the world’s largest furniture rental and relocation services company. To learn more about how we can help college students like you, click here.

New styles and fashions are always changing from season to season and year to year. But you probably didn’t realize that a lot of the “new” styles are actually recycled from an earlier time.

The twentieth century brought us such a wide variety of fashions that even those that went out of style still needed to get some more use in modern times.

Take a look at the history and beginnings of your favorite trends. You may be surprised to find that your ancestors probably rocked the styles too.

1920s Style: The popularity of “The Great Gatsby” has done a lot to let people know about the glamour of the roaring ’20s.

While most of the fashions are seen at 1920s or Gatsby-themed parties and feature over-the-top sparkly flapper dresses and headbands, companies have found ways to incorporate a bit of the era into modern day clothing.

Materials like silk, satin and lace represent the fashions of the ’20s as well as bead and feather accents.

image via whowhatwear.com

1930s Little Black Dress: In 1926, Coco Chanel debuted the fabulous LBD. For almost a century, women across the country have been working the little black dress and understanding that simple is elegant and stylish.

The style first gained popularity during the Great Depression when people began to realize that affordable and basic dresses could still be fashionable and make a statement.

1950s Pencil Skirts: Pencil skirts really made a mark on the world of fashion during the 1950s even though they were invented earlier. Popular icons like Marilyn Monroe and Katherine Hepburn wore the figure-hugging skirt.

The trend died down for a while, but came back during the ’80s and still lives today. Its shape and design can work for not only daytime or business attire, but for dressing up at night as well.

Pair the pencil skirt with a pair of heels and you’ll be the definition of feminine and chic.

image via veredmentablog.com

1950s Swimsuits: High-waisted swim suits popped up everywhere this summer. In the past few decades, bikinis have gotten smaller and lower cut, but lately, the high-waisted bottoms have gained in popularity.

The suit gives off a vintage or retro feel and is perfect for those that want to show off their knowledge of the fashion world at the beach or the pool. They can be paired with a bathing suit top that extends lower on the torso or a regular bikini top.

image via wheretoget.it

1970s High-waisted Shorts: High-waisted shorts have been around since the 1940s, but were extremely popular in the 1970s.

Anyone who knows high-school and college-aged girls knows that high-waisted shorts have been a must-have for the past couple of years. While the style might take some getting used to at first, high-waisted bottoms are perfect for crop tops and shirts that look better tucked in.

1970s and ’90s Block Heels and Platform Shoes: Anyone that has worn stilettos knows that thicker block heels and platforms are much more comfortable.

The style was first really made known during the ’70s and Saturday Night Fever era, but also made a recurrence in the ’90s (think Spice Girls). These styles can still be found today especially in the form of sandals and casual heels.

’80s Bright and Bold Colors, Color Blocking: The 1980s hosted an abundance of fun, crazy styles from big hair to leg warmers to leather pants. Decking out in neon colors has its roots planted in this pop music decade.

While dressing from head to toe in hot pink might not be the norm today, you can go for a less dramatic look and just wear an accessory or two in bright, bold colors to add some pop to your outfit.

Try matching neon belts, shoes, purses, or jewelry while wearing more neutral base clothing.

’80s Ray Bans: Ray Bans have been the sunglasses to buy for young adults for the past few years. Those that tend to sit on their shades or lose them in the ocean can choose from a variety of knockoff brands that resemble the Wayfarers.

Believe it or not, these sunglasses were even more popular in your parents’ time. Tom Cruise wore the trendy Wayfarer shades in “Risky Business” and other icons of the era like Madonna and Michael Jackson could also be spotted sporting them.

image via eyeglasses123.com

’90s Parachute “Hammertime” Pants: Parachute pants can be a risky piece of clothing to wear, but with confidence and the right assortment of clothing and accessories, anyone can pull them off.

Recently, parachute pants have been very popular in women’s fashion and are less loose and flowy than in the past. They also come in a varitey of designs and are often paired with heels or trendy boots.

Originally, parachute pants were popular with men and women after MC Hammer during the 1990s. Although the style is a little unconventional, the comfort and fun design are making the bottoms a recurring trend.

image via topknotsandpolkadots.com

’90s Crop Tops: Crop tops can be seen in almost any store today aimed at young women. Popular celebrities rock them and the tops are usually seen paired with high-waisted skirts or shorts.

The ’90s included quite a few styles that probably shouldn’t ever make a comeback, but stars that wore crop tops originally, like Gwen Stefani, Britney Spears and Jennifer Lopez, were really able to pull them off. Today, crop tops may be even more popular among women than they were 20 years ago.

While brand new innovations in fashion are always exciting, bringing back styles from past decades can be a fun way to reconnect with the past. Adding a fresh twist to an older style shows designers’ abilities to be creative while still acknowledging the chic, and sometimes quite bold, styles from the twentieth century.

Who knows, one day future generations may be calling the clothes you’re sitting in right now “vintage” and “retro.”

Looking for a more convenient way to furnish your off-campus apartment? Rent stylish furniture from CORT and save time and money. For more information on furniture rental packages, click here.

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