The Outfits That Made Us, and the Ones We Pretend Never Happened
Fashion is a living, breathing thing that molts every decade or so, reinventing itself. One year we’re all about minimalism and muted tones, the next we’re dressing like disco balls. What’s wild is how certain looks freeze in our collective memory. Not just because they were beautiful, but because they permanently shifted our sensibilities. Meanwhile, others bloomed brightly and then died on the vine. Here are ten looks that reshaped fashion forever—and ten we’ve quietly retired to the vault of collective embarrassment.
1. The Little Black Dress (Audrey Hepburn, 1961)
A simple black sheath and pearls is all it took. Breakfast at Tiffany’s didn’t just sell a movie; it sold an identity. Suddenly, every woman wanted to embody casual elegance. The LBD became shorthand for sophistication, the kind that commands attention with a whisper. Every woman’s closet has at least one little black number hanging there, waiting to set the mood at a special event.
2. The White Suit (John Travolta, 1977)
That white, flared suit in Saturday Night Fever didn’t just make Tony Manero the king of the dance floor—it made millions believe they could be, too. The lapels were wide, the confidence wider. It was ridiculous and brilliant at the same time. Try wearing one now without irony, though, and you’d look like a wedding singer from the wrong decade.
3. The Grunge Layer (Kurt Cobain, 1992)
This style repped flannel, ripped jeans, and cardigans that looked like they came from a thrift store bin. Somehow, it worked. Suddenly, not caring was the most stylish thing you could do. Fast-forward a few decades, and luxury brands are selling “distressed” flannel for hundreds. Imagine paying more for clothes that look old.
4. The Power Suit (1980s, Everyone on Wall Street)
The power suit was armor for a generation trying to prove it belonged in boardrooms. You could smell the ambition and hairspray from across the room. Shoulder pads the size of small planets gave everyone the illusion of control. It wasn’t subtle, but neither was the decade.
5. The Red Carpet Swan (Björk, 2001)
This iconic dress was shaped like a swan. Everyone laughed, but secretly, this bold choice changed things. Björk reminded us fashion could be art and even deliberately absurd. You can trace a straight line from that feathered creation to every “What is she wearing?” moment on the Met Gala steps today.
Cristiano Del Riccio on Wikimedia
6. The Low-Rise Jeans (Early 2000s)
This style appeared and conquered a generation. For years, waistbands sat somewhere near the hip bone, and the entire world collectively agreed to forget pockets existed. Paired with crop tops, these jeans encouraged visible thongs and unshakable confidence. Looking back, we wonder how anyone sat down comfortably.
7. The Oversized Blazer (Princess Diana, 1990s)
The Princess of Wales made rebellion look regal. When she appeared in casual cycling shorts, dad sneakers, and a men’s blazer, everyone gaped because no one had seen a royal dress like that before. It was relatable, effortless, and sparked a quiet revolution in fashion. Today, oversized everything is back in style, and we owe much of it to Diana who did it first.
8. The Shoulder Pad Comeback (2020s)
Somehow, the exaggerated 1980s shoulder pads returned, only sleeker and more sculpted. Some might even call it modern. As they say, there’s nothing new under the sun. Trends come and go, but this one apparently is still in the rotation.
9. The Punk Explosion (Vivienne Westwood, 1970s)
The punk uniform consisted of safety pins, torn shirts, plaid, and defiance. Punk was designed to be a snarl at the establishment rather than something pretty. Westwood took London’s underground anger and stitched it into wearable rebellion. Even luxury brands still borrow from it, pretending anarchy can be purchased.
10. The Kimono Jacket (Modern Revival, 2010s)
When this traditional Japanese style caught on globally, almost overnight, everyone took to draping themselves in silky, floral robes over jeans and calling it “boho chic.” What started as homage turned into fast-fashion frenzy. Still, something about those wide sleeves and loose ties remains timeless.
And then there were the others that fizzled off into oblivion. Here are ten outfits we politely pretend never happened.
1. The Tracksuit (Juicy Couture, 2003)
We all remember velour fabric dotted with rhinestones. If you didn’t own one, you knew someone who did, with “JUICY” plastered across the backside in glittering confidence. It was peak 2000s fashion: gaudy, comfortable, and absolutely everywhere. Now, they live in vintage racks and ironic TikToks.
2. The Ed Hardy Era (Mid-2000s)
This look consisted of loud, tattoo-inspired graphics plastered across every inch of cotton. Think rhinestones, skulls, and roaring tigers. Every shirt screamed like it had just downed an energy drink. For a moment, it was luxury streetwear before that was even a thing. Now, it’s a relic of excess—Vegas in T-shirt form.
Photo by Glenn Francis at www.PacificProDigital.com Toglenn on Wikimedia
3. The Feathered Hair (1970s–Early 1980s)
This ‘do almost seemed to float atop people’s heads. Farrah Fawcett made hair aerodynamic, and everyone tried to follow her cue. But like all fads, it couldn’t defy gravity forever. Today, the look feels more disco-inspired costume than cutting-edge.
4. The Bubble Skirt (2000s)
This rogue fashion experiment introduced us to hemlines that puffed out like pastry dough, making even the most statuesque look like a cupcake liner. It was fun until everyone realized the shape flattered absolutely no one.
5. The Tiny Sunglasses (Late 2010s)
Matrix-core took over, and suddenly everyone looked like they were auditioning for a cyberpunk reboot. It may have been great for aesthetics, but it was terrible for sunlight. Half the lenses couldn’t cover a contact lens, let alone provide adequate UV protection.
6. The Peplum Top (Early 2010s)
That little ruffle flap at the waist was supposed to accentuate curves. Instead, it made everyone look like a multi-tiered wedding cake. Office-appropriate, yes. Stylish, not really. You could practically timestamp an outfit to 2013 just by the flounce of that dress.
Carole Raddato from FRANKFURT, Germany on Wikimedia
7. The Frosted Tips (Late 1990s–2000s)
This hairstyle, consisting of bleach and gelled spikes, was so specific it almost came with its own boy-band soundtrack. Think NSYNC and Backstreet Boys. For a time, every teen heartthrob had them, and as a result, every adult photo album is now a source of regret. Nostalgic? Sure. Timeless? Never.
8. The High-Low Dress (2010s)
This dress was business in the front, beach party in the back. Consider it the mullet of fashion. For a brief, confusing period, every wedding guest looked like they couldn’t commit to a hemline. It was elegant in theory, awkward in practice.
9. The Infinity Scarf (2010s)
The excessive fabric started as cozy, then morphed into a strangulation hazard. By 2015, everyone had at least three in different colors and patterns. It was less an accessory than a wearable neck cocoon.
smittenkittenorig on Wikimedia
10. The Cold Shoulder Top (Mid-2010s)
This piece of fashion shifted attention to the shoulders, with cutouts everywhere for no reason. The trend tried to be flirty but ended up confusing. We’ve since covered back up, a little embarrassed, wondering what that was all about.
