Written by Thalia Stoffers
I consider myself to be a huge Pinterest gal. I love creating boards around fashion inspiration and seeking out outfit ideas. I realized that many of the outfits I love and save are reminiscent of a time prior to 2021. So many clothing combinations, styles, patterns, and colors date back to a time looooonnngg before Instagram or Pinterest could get their hands on them. That is why I want to pay homage to the most iconic and pivotal fashion statements made in decades past that left a mark on the fashion world and influenced street style as we know it.
1. The 80s
Let’s first take it back to the days where people like Madonna and Princess Diana had full reign over the fashion sphere. The celebrities of the 1980s gave us so many iconic looks. This was a time where colors and patterns were introduced to fashion in a way that had never been done before. Bright neon colors and baggy-fitting garments became all the rage. Because of the iconic fashion choices of the 80s, street style was forever changed. In my opinion, the 80s were the first time people played with the idea of “normal” and combined pieces in a bold and larger-than-life way. The most influential fashion statements made were jackets. From oversized business suit jackets worn with jeans to sweatshirts being the main focus of certain outfits, jackets became an essential piece of wardrobe for the first time. Besides the unforgettable look from Princess Diana shown below, denim jackets, windbreakers, and oversized coats first presented themselves as fashionable, and to this day they are considered one of the most important parts of any look. Today, many models have been seen wearing the sweatshirt plus jacket combo that has become a timeless look.
The photo on the left is of Princess Diana in the late 1980s wearing jeans, a sweatshirt and a suit jacket on top. The photo on the right is of Hailey Bieber shown in the mid 2010s wearing a similar combination.
PHOTO CREDITS pinterest.com collaged by Thalia Stoffers.
2. The 90s
From claw clips to mom jeans, the 90s influenced style in a big way. Unlike the 80s, fashion trends grew into mixing baggy looks with form-fitting pieces. My favorite statement pieces to come out of the 90s were baby tees, slip dresses, overalls and chunky boots. I LOVE boots from the 90s. All of these things live somewhere in our closets today but it was the fashion pioneers of this decade who first made them “cool.” Think of all the Doc Martens and combat boots you see today—they first became popular and common to have in the 90s. This was a decade where style was highly influenced by models, alternative culture and grunge scenes. It’s things like baby tees, slip dresses, overalls, and boots in my wardrobe that help me build upon my outfits and combine styles to form the perfect look. Huge trends from the 90s that influenced style were basics such as white tees, mom jeans, and everyday boots. This was the first time that having basics in your wardrobe allowed you to look casual yet put together and always made you have something to wear. Basic wardrobe pieces were the most influential trend to come out of the 90s. They have stuck with us and have made our closets much easier to work with. Because of wardrobe basics, many outfits created and worn today are reminiscent of the celebrities who did it first—a white tee with jeans and boots has never gone out of style.
Photo on the left is Gwyneth Paltrow wearing a white T-shirt, mom jeans, and black boots with a leather jacket. Pictured next to her is Brad Pitt. Photo on the right is Kaia Gerber wearing the same combination of clothes in 2019.
PHOTO CREDITS pinterest.com collaged by Thalia Stoffers.
3. The Y2K
Today it seems that Y2K and the early 2000s are making a comeback. But what are the most important and influential fashion pieces to come from this time? For this I consider two things: TV and magazines. Seventeen magazine, The Simple Life and everything in between influenced style and trends immensely. They popularized baby tees, plaid skirts and some of the best accessories to date. Purses, jewelry, hats and sunglasses were redefined in the early 2000s and their impact left a mark on fashion. Many styles of the 80s and 90s were passed on to the early 2000s, which had more form-fitting clothes, more pink, and an overall agreement to embrace the fun side of dressing up. Accessorizing has allowed for everyday outfits to be elevated and Y2K accessorizing specifically makes our outfits more fun today.
Photo on the left is Paris Hilton in the early 2000s. Photo on the right is Mariama Diallo taken sometime between 2018 and 2021 wearing similar accessories, adorning the Y2K style.
PHOTO CREDITS pinterest.com collaged by Thalia Stoffers.
Looking Forward
I predict that in the future many other statement styles of decades past will make a comeback. I think that being influenced by past styles allows for reinvention which makes the creativity aspect of fashion flourish. Next time you are in a style slump, turn to a statement jacket, your closet’s basics and accessories to find some inspo and elevate your look.