Why Fashion Never Dies
Photo by Pixabay
Everyone has heard the line, “The history book on the shelf is always repeating itself” from the 1974 ABBA hit single, “Waterloo”. Fashion trends from over the decades have made an startling return. Throughout the ’90s, animal patterns, specifically the iconic cheetah print, made front stage again and again but eventually died down, as many trends do. Now in 2024, the look of cheetah print tops and bottoms have made its grand return, with famous singer Rihanna consistently being seen sporting a cheetah print dress or jacket.
The fashion styles of the 90s closely compare to the recent ones. This is because the memories tied to clothing tend to bring these items back. As popular bands, movies, or celebrities rise to popularity, trends they embody draw people back to older fashion trends. In 1995, the movie “Clueless” starring Alicia Silverstone made its mark on not only the movie industry, but also the fashion industry. From the plaid skirts to the blazers, many fashion blogs reference the movie due to its influence on many young girls of the ‘preppy retro’ style. Now, Olivia Rodrigo, popular singer-songwriter among Gen-Z, is a prime example of the plaid skirt aesthetic. Toward the end of her iconic music video “Good 4 U”, she sports a purple plaid skirt, similar to ones in “Clueless.”
Social media has created an emerging community of people who thrift for clothes, attempting to find vintage pieces. Late 20th century bands such as AC/DC or Nirvana are commonly featured on these vintage tops. Many teenagers now spend hours in local thrift stores or online resellers, finding authentic clothing to embrace the style of the past. Thrifting clothes allows people to uniquely express themselves despite the fast fashion industry.
One of the biggest factors of resurfacing trends is the popularity of social media platforms. The likes of Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest inspire revivals of a certain style, or even a slightly altered restyle. TikTok has been one of the biggest contributors to fashion recently, popularizing many trends such as the early 2000’s jorts. The trends within social media have brought what was past its prime, back to life into the stylish clothing of today.
The influence of social media and the drive of nostalgia has been the reason as to why fashion trends regain popularity after decades in the grave. Fashion will always find a way to snake back in from the past and shine in the spotlight once again.