In the fashion world, it seems to be true that history repeats itself. Trends come and go but more often than not, many fashion pieces and trends end up repeating themselves. In the past couple years, and now more than ever, the fashion industry continues to track backwards to previous trends from former decades. For example, about 10years ago, skinny jeans were IT. If you were wearing any jeans that weren’t hugging your leg from waist to ankle, you were an odd ball. I remember shopping with my mom in middle school and quivering at the thought of purchasing a loose-fitting jean. Today, I struggle to wiggle myself into a pair of skinny jeans without thinking anything negative about them. I, as well as much of the fashion world today, prefer a straight leg, or “mom” jeans over skinny or slim fit jeans. The jeans we worship today, we cringed at 10years ago, but 20 years before that they were in style. Clearly it is no secret in the fashion industry that history repeats itself. So, what other trends that we love today are consistent with this pattern? Here are some of my favorites.
The first one that comes to my mind when I think about old trends coming back is headscarves. Personally, I have not noticed this trend being overly popular just yet but as the summer months approach, I am expecting it to gain speed. What do I mean by headscarves though? Headscarves take me back all the way to the 50s and 60s in terms of style. I think of Audrey Hepburn with a delicate silk scarf wrapped gracefully around her head protecting her glamorously styled hair and complimenting her perfectly pampered face make up. In 2021, up-and-coming pop star Olivia Rodrigo created these retro vibes in her most recent music video for her single “déjà vu.” The video starts with Rodrigo driving a vintage convertible with her silk scarf strategically wrapped around her head controlling her hair. I personally love this trend and with the amount of clout Olivia Rodrigo has right now in pop culture, I would not be surprised if she inspires many others to join this retro accessory and bring back the trend.
Audrey Hepburn in her iconic headscarf. 
Olivia Rodrigo giving off retro vibes in her music video for “deja vu”
Another trend that has reemerged in the fashion industry is puffy sleeves and shoulder pads. Shoulder pads used to be very trendy back in the 70s and 80s. They originally gained popularity back in the 1930s; as more and more women entered the workforce and wore suits to work, the more these shoulder pads were prevalent in the industry. The suits women wore to work in the 80s and 90s typically had these shoulder pads in them. In the past two decades the structured look and feel shoulder pads offered became increasingly less popular. However, now in 2021 and beginning in 2020, puffy sleeves, puffy shoulders, and even some small shoulder pads are popular yet again. To be honest, the shoulder pad trend is one that I struggle to get behind. Shoulder pads, to me, make me feel too much like a football player (LOL), and in my style I tend to lean more feminine. However, I do think they have a place in today’s market, just not for me in particular. Puffy sleeves, on the other hand, I think they are adorable and add a great dynamic to a standard outfit. Danielle Bernstein from the style blog We Wore What often sports the puffy sleeves, and since much of my inspo comes from her, I can appreciate the trend.
Danielle Bernstein of We Wore What sporting puffy sleeves. 
Danielle Bernstein in a trendy shoulder pad trench coat.
Accessories have proven to be essential to complete looks for many decades. The choice which gets the job done, though, has not remained consistent. Back in the 80s and 90s, our mothers worshiped scrunchies and claw clips the way we do today. But might I remind you that through much of the early 2000s, these pieces were lost from the beauty world. While I am not as religious as some, I keep a scrunchy on my wrist at all times, or a claw clip to my purse strap when I am out, so I do appreciate these accessories in my wardrobe. Loose and casual hair is my go-to in these warmer months. Lately, I rely on scrunchies for low messy buns and claw clips for quick remedies to pulling my hair back. These accessories have made their way back and seem to have a place in the beauty world for many years to come, it almost makes us wonder why they were ever forgotten in the first place.
Yes, history repeats itself. These trends come and go and come again. However, in the words of Yves Saint Laurent, “Fashions fade, style is eternal.”
Passion For Fashion is an Opinion culture column used to explore the world of personal style, fashion tips for students, and more.
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