From polaroids to digital cameras, Yeti tumblers to Stanleys, and teased hair to heatless curls, it seems that trends always come back. It is clear that what was old is now new again.
With older trends, nostalgia always makes its way back into closets, toy boxes, and daily conversation. Many trends that grew to be “cringe” or “outdated” are slowly returning to our lives. Along with the trends that are already coming back, there are many more waiting for a resurgence.
“Nostalgia causes people to bring back the past, such as older trends, because people often get blinded by nostalgia and relate those trends with a happier time period in their lives,” says Shahmir Tariq ‘28.
Nostalgia plays a big role when it comes to the rise of older trends. As generations get older, people yearn to go back to trends, such as fashion, music, and just a general, overall vibe.
Along with nostalgia, social media plays a role in modern-day trends by allowing fads to move in and out faster than ever.
A popular social media app, TikTok allows viewers to watch videos averaging 35 seconds. With the short-paced videos, people are more likely to watch them. When videos are viewed by thousands or sometimes even millions of people, trends can ebb and flow at a quicker pace than any other source of entertainment beforehand.
In addition, many students mention how the rise of nostalgic trends aligns with the popularization of TikTok in 2020. In 2020, many people were stuck in their homes during the pandemic and moved to TikTok to watch short dance videos. Soon TikTok evolved into an app where people can post, share, and comment on their interests, fashion, and news all within less than a minute.
“I noticed a cultural shift, especially in the 2020s,” said Mia Zapata ‘28. “I think it’s probably the fact that the pandemic was a big change for everyone, which is why there was such a big shift.”
Whatever the reason for the shifts in trends from technology to historical events, many teachers and students say that the fashion trends that are going viral are quite likable.
“The mom jean!” said Mr. Diane Frey, English and Journalism teacher at Edison High. “I am in awe at how cute teenagers can rock these jeans, including my own daughter.”
Mom jeans, which are tapered on the bottom but loose toward the waist, have been among one of the original 2000s trends that have reappeared. They came back in style during the 2020s, but jeans styles are not just limited to wide-legged, bootcut, and baggy jeans; now what’s in style is jeans for everyone’s liking and preferences.
“My favorite trend that came back is flared jeans,” said Yashvi Bhavsar ‘28.
Flare jeans were a common jean style in the 90s and early 2000s, worn by celebrities like Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, and Destiny’s Child. They have recently reappeared with the retro-style aesthetic.
With the good, however, comes the bad. Students also added trends they dislike and wish would stay in the past.
“I have seen a rise of neon yellow hair, and I’m hoping that trend will die down soon,” said Jorelle Enriquez ‘28. “I have seen a lot of sports teams bleach their hair in playoffs, and I do not like the blonde without toner.”
During the early 2000s, teenage boys would bleach their hair. Now bleached brassy hair can be seen in sports like hockey and lacrosse. Many hockey players are known to bleach their hair for championship games as a sign of unity and, sometimes, just for fun. A lot of the time, the bleached hair tends to look very yellow on the players due to the hasty bleaching process. While some individuals dislike the bright yellow color, others believe yellow hair is a unique look that is reminiscent of a carefree and youthful life.
Trends appear from head to toe. Shoes have been a popular topic in recent years too. The term “sneakerhead” describes people who are interested in the fashion world of shoes. Due to this popularity, opinions abound on the many different styles of sneakers.
“I don’t really like the dad shoes that people have been wearing,” said Santiago Zacapala ‘28. “I have seen a lot of Asics and New Balances.”
Shoes like Asics and New Balance were claimed to be “dad shoes” to many in the past. Dad shoes were once popular during the 80s and 90s. During the 2010s, the dad shoe trend died down as those sneakers were seen as “ugly” and looked at as stereotypical shoes your outdated father would wear. Recently, brands like Asics and New Balance, which were once looked down upon, have seen a rise in the popularity of their shoes. Now many people are seen wearing the New Balance 9060 or the Asic Gel-1130s.
With the wide range and variation of older trends, there’s a demand for even more old trends to return.
“Honestly, retro games should come back, maybe like Kirby or Donkey Kong,” said Zapata. “I’m not really sure why they died out.”
Video games were very popular in the 1990s. Compared to current technology, the video games reproduced over forty years ago were simpler and had easier gameplay. Many people now hope for the return of retro video games, which bring back that sense of nostalgia and enjoyment they had when they were younger.
But whether it’s a shoe, jeans, video game, or a vibe, remember to save your current trendy item for the future because the cycle will come back at you.
