The American fashion comeback

Previous eras influence the trends of today

Krystal Wu, Staff Writer & Cameron Chappell, Staff Writer

Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures

In the midst of the second year of COVID-19, the snowy winter melts into newborn spring; a time of change is coming upon the world, especially our wardrobes. Suddenly, the cropped puffer jackets and fuzzy sweatpants are too hot for the warm and lively spring weather. In America’s leading fashion industry, new trends are born for the start of a new spring.

A recent American fashion throwback has been the Y2K Era, or the Year Two Thousand Era. The 2000s, a time when many current high schoolers were just learning how to walk and talk, was a celebratory and unique experience to the youth of the time. Bright pops of color and funky patterns paired with blinged-out accessories were the craze. Y2K was a style period dominated by pop culture sensations such as Britney Spears and Paris Hilton, accompanied by on-screen hits Elle Woods of Legally Blonde and Regina George of Mean Girls. To this day, the two box office hits remain childhood staples, forever showstopping, decades after their release. Elle Woods, a popular girl known for her extra personality, often sported pink-centered outfits, with tinted sunglasses (pink of course) and brightly patterned camisoles. Regina Georga, as well, valued pink, sporting her famous velour pink tracksuit and countless pink accessories. As America transitioned into a new decade and COVID-19 hit immediately, the transformation of Y2K has created a new meaning for the youth of today. The uniqueness of their clothing parallels those of the millennials in the 2000s who inspired the return. Popular clothing pieces of the time, including low-cut jeans, embellished camisoles, cropped cardigans, and miniskirts have been making a comeback. Shades of pink and purple and yellow taken from the Y2K era, but also the addition of sage and beige, colors that surged to popularity this year, are now in the style mix as well. Some teenagers are able to search through their parents’ wardrobes of two decades ago, styling the past into the present. 

Besides clothing, the Y2K period emphasized unique accessories like butterfly clips, bandanas, shoulder bags, chunky silver jewelry, and claw clips. These accessories have all been making a comeback, in new styles and forms, such as fuzzy cow print shoulder bags or claw clips in every size and color. On social media, young people are redesigning their wardrobes and redefining this style period with their own unique twists from new, home clothing stores and thrift flips. In a recent trend, teens design chunky colored accessories with plastic beads and flat irons, to create plastic rings with their own twist. 

Now, the ‘70s aesthetic is starting to resurface and gain traction amongst Gen Zers bringing in pops of color and fun with different pieces of clothing. During that time period, the hippie look was extremely popular, and many trends were influenced by disco and rock music. The ‘70s were also a time of freedom, with the women’s rights movement and the push against conservative fashion. Women started to wear looser clothing and shorter bottoms and took more youthful approaches to their everyday wear. Clothing patterns were bold and out there to express freedom in a folk and psychedelic nature. Shoes that are now in demand are platforms in any style, Mary-Janes, go-go boots, loafers, chunky sandals, and clogs. High-waisted jeans, bell-bottoms, halter tops, and jumpsuits are also hot items to get for this season. Accessories such as chokers, scarves, headbands, and floppy hats are making comebacks. Popular clothing store ZARA just released their summer ‘21 clothing collection, which was all 70s inspired. The collection featured various two-piece sets with skirts, shorts, and pants in vibrant colors and iconic floral and paisley prints.

Photo courtesy of Zara

The warmer it gets outside, the more freedom there is in clothing. When paying homage to different decades, we can admire both the fashionably aesthetic and positive messages they express.