THE FUTURE OF FASHION: ROOTED IN THE PAST?

Fashion is easily one of the most fast paced and difficult to anticipate industries, with its trends constantly evolving on us. Gurus all over the world work tirelessly to project what will soon be trendy, what is going out of style, and how to be on top of these ever-evolving changes. What’s “in” is purely a reflection of current times. Whether that be politics, social media influences, worldwide and cultural changes, and of course technology. Ironically enough, the future of fashion trends emerging as of late have not only been seen before but were popular not long ago. The 1990s and Y2K styles that so many of us grew up with have made a reappearance, and much sooner than expected.

Icons like Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Paris Hilton, and Christina Aguilera all offered some unique and at times cringe-inducing looks. Fortunately, the trends that are resurfacing lately take the best of this era and add a bit of modern flair. The influence of technology has allowed the future of fashion industry to level up even the most simple accessories to incorporate ultimate functionality. A few examples of these spruced-up trends are fanny packs, sneakers, denim jackets, plaid flannel shirts, scrunchies, and so much more. Below, we will dive into some of these top 90s and Y2K trends that are back and bigger than ever.

Fanny Packs

While they first emerged in the 1980s, fanny packs kept up their domination in the industry well into the 90s. Neon color combinations made these ‘waist purses’ stand out in the crowd. Now, we are seeing far fewer eye-catching colors and much more neutral tones. Lululemon has created a fashion trend of their own with the emergence of their ‘belt bags’. In essence, these are just fanny packs remarketed and shown with multiple different ways of wearing them. They’ve even gone viral on the app TikTok because of their incredible popularity. Fanny packs, in general, provide both fashion and functionality all in one, making them a great accessory option for people on the go. Back in the 90s, cell phones were not widely used, and even if they were, they were far too large to squeeze into a fanny pack. Now, these packs are perfect to throw your iPhone or Android into while you move around. Multiple pockets allow you to also throw in your AirPods, keys, chapstick, and whatever else you may need when you are on the go.

Denim Jackets

A staple in the 90s and now, denim jackets haven’t changed as drastically as other trends over the years. Although Canadian tuxedos are yet to become socially acceptable again (and thank goodness for that), denim in the form of pants and jackets can be considered timeless for many. The cuts of these jackets are the element that has in fact shifted, and we are now seeing far more cropped and fitted styles as opposed to the more boxy cuts in the 90s. Customizing these fall and winter staples is easy, with a huge variety of washes and styles. A white denim jacket is perfect for a summer evening whereas a dark blue denim jacket can be popped on for a fall stroll. Ultimately, it is a pretty safe bet that denim jackets will be sticking around for the long haul.

Plaid Flannel Shirts

Revisit any iconic movie for the 90s and you can be guaranteed to spot a plaid flannel shirt at some point. These shirts were absolutely everywhere during this era and have made their way back to the top of the fashion trend list for 2022. Muted neutral tones with minimal pops of reds, greens, and blues are the most often seen color schemes for classic flannels. Even the aspect of tying them around your waist has been brought back, which feels like a true ode to the 90s era. This contributes to one of the perks of plaid flannels, which is the ability to throw them on during chillier weather and then tie it around the waist when it heats up.

Bright Watches

Chunky, brightly colored, and minimalistic were the most commonly seen attributes when it came to watches in past decades. Especially in the year 2000, a general rule of thumb was “the brighter the better”. As a result, we saw some gaudy and large wrist accessories. Now, due to the increase in available technology, we can see smartwatches taking the industry by storm. The Apple watch maintains its place as the number one selling smartwatch, and for good reason. Apple has allowed for what seems like infinite possibilities when it comes to watch bands. As a result, there is an option for quite literally every style out there. The ability to match your watch to your outfit each day is a unique ability that previously only existed for those wealthy enough to own hundreds of watches.

One thing is for certain, fashion trends are sure to be recycled at some point in some capacity. If one of your favorite styles is currently on the outs, you may just be in luck in the next few years. As technology, politics, and cultural changes continue to evolve, we will continue to see future of fashion trends fluctuate and shift in order to reflect current times. As they say, the future of fashion industry is like a mirror that reflects the current state of the world. It is truly anybody’s guess as to what will be the next popular trend of 2022.

Keywords: Fashion; Fashion trends; Y2K fashion; 90’s fashion