As time goes by, fashion trends come and go—or they simply come back trendier.
Fashion does evolve, but within our own individuality. Some of us may even take some inspiration from our younger selves, and style what used to be trendy with our current style. Of course, some things are better left behind like the sneaker wedge, or even tiny sunglasses. We can easily make an item trendy or newly fashionable again.
This happened to the choker. Although what’s ‘in’ at the moment is the chain choker—like the ones Billie Eilish wears—the choker, a slim strip worn around the neck, was very popular during the grunge era of the 90s. It was able to stay for a while during the early 2000s and, somehow, it managed to return in 2015. But chokers existed long before the 21st century.
In a March 2016 article in the National Jeweler, Yvonne Markovitz, the Curator Emerita of Jewelry Museum of Fine Arts, explained that chokers were worn by women in ancient civilizations, such as Ancient Egypt and the Sumer Civilization in Mesopotamia. Chokers brought these women a sense of power and gave them a sense of security.
The Nike Air Force 1s that you see everywhere you go? This shoe staple was inspired by the original 1982 Nike Air Force 1, which was initially a basketball shoe. I myself have a pair and what’s great about these shoes is that they never go out of style and can be worn with everything. They still serve a classic look.
These items have found a way to blend in today’s society. We tend to look at past trends to get inspired. These old trends evolve with the style that we have been able to create and with the person we have become.
It may take some time to find our personal style, but I think that I’m at a stage in life where I believe I have found mine. As a child, I remember wearing sneakers with everything, even when it didn’t fit with my dresses. I would wear my soccer team’s jerseys at school with earrings and bracelets. When I was a teenager, I would wear my father’s dress shirts with short shorts, which made it look like I was wearing a dress. I felt like menswear was more appealing to me, and I managed to look feminine by adding accessories, such as golden bracelets. Today, I like to wear long high-waisted trousers or loose track pants with a T-shirt and a vest or blazer that matches in colour with my pants. My golden rings add elegance to my outfits. I never take my rings off now.
When you grow up, you meet new people, you listen to new music, you look up to different people, and that can influence your style. I used to look up to Twiggy—the top model from the 60s—so much that I chopped my hair like hers when I was 13. I decided to never do it again; I have wavy hair and I had to use gel so that my hair would stay straight. Today, my fashion icon is 90s Lauren Hutton. Just to give you an idea: long windbreaker coat with matching pants, a white T-shirt and a pair of sneakers.
I have evolved: I am inspired by runway looks from the late 90s to early 2000s. I always love to mix and not wear only one style. The only item that hasn’t changed is my shoewear—I wear sneakers with everything.
We have the power to make old fashion trends into new ones and combine them with our individuality. Therefore, no trend is ever really lost, as someone will always manage to make it work.
Graphic by @sundaeghost