What Fashion Forgot
During the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s, there were lots of clothing brands people adored. However, a lot of these companies have faded into obscurity. Still, you probably have fond memories wearing these pieces.
1. BUM Equipment
BUM Equipment was a brand of casual clothing that was very popular in the late 1980s and 1990s. Its distinctive block-letter logo on T-shirts and sweatshirts became a common sight. The brand is considered an iconic throwback, primarily among teens and young adults. The BUM logo is still visible today on streetwear items such as baggy sweatshirts, T-shirts, and athletic apparel, but it is not as prevalent as it used to be.
2. No Fear
No Fear was a clothing brand that became popular in the 1990s for its extreme sports and adrenaline-fueled slogans. T-shirts, hats, and other accessories from the brand often had in-your-face graphics and catchphrases that appealed to thrill seekers and rebellious teenagers. While it was once a common sight in skate shops and malls, the brand is now seen as a relic of 1990s youth style.
3. Esprit
Esprit was a fashion clothing store chain popular for its vibrant, casual styles and generally upbeat, youthful image. It was a very popular brand during the 1980s and 1990s, during which its influence and cultural presence peaked. While it's still present to this day, the store's heyday of mainstream prominence has long since passed, and for many is now relegated to a distant memory.
Wildan Ramdani Akbar on Unsplash
4. Ocean Pacific
Ocean Pacific, or OP, was a surf-inspired clothing company that was a common sight during the 1980s and 1990s. It was known for its bright, colorful designs and beachy apparel. OP's T-shirts, board shorts, and casual wear were seen everywhere a surfer wasn't and have now become a part of summer fashion clichés.
5. Mudd
Mudd was very popular in the late nineties and early 2000s. Most stores carried trendy jeans, flared pants, and fun, stylish tops. Mudd was almost exclusively sold in department stores and sold to teens. The clothing line typically featured casual, slightly bohemian styles with a youthful edge.
6. FUBU
FUBU is an American clothing brand that is best known for its streetwear during the 1990s and 2000s. FUBU, which stands for “For Us, By Us,” is known for its flashy logos and clothing that was deeply connected to hip-hop culture. Its jerseys, oversized T-shirts, and denim were worn by many celebrities and its branding became a symbol of self-empowerment and urban style.
7. Ecko
Ecko, more commonly known as Ecko Unlimited, is a late-1990s and early-2000s hip-hop and streetwear clothing brand, notable for its stylized rhino logo and graffiti-influenced artwork and branding. Famous for its hoodie sweatshirts, baggy jeans, and graphic T-shirts, the brand was at one time ubiquitous in hip-hop and skateboarding subcultures, appearing in many music videos and on city streets. Ecko still exists in some capacity but is a shadow of its former influence.
8. Phat Farm
Phat Farm is an urban fashion brand that was most popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Phat Farm was founded by hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons. It is most recognizable by their preppy-meets-streetwear style: polos, baggy jeans, logo-driven designs, and a fusion of Ivy League and hip-hop aesthetics.
9. LA Gear
LA Gear was a garish athletic shoe and clothing brand which reached its peak of popularity in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Bright, brash, and sporting such innovations as light-up sneakers, it was a mainstay for young children and teenagers looking to make a fashion statement with their footwear. The brand has not gone out of production entirely, but now sells mainly in specialty or discount markets.
Barbara Bresnahan on Wikimedia
10. French Connection
French Connection, sometimes stylized F.C.U.K., was a popular, hip fashion brand. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, it had its heyday with young adults. Its interesting slogan shirts and bodycon especially caught a lot of attention.
Photo by Joon Han Contact: [email protected] on Wikimedia
11. Big Dog T-Shirts
Big Dog T-shirts refer to a style of oversized T-shirt from the 1990s that featured large, cartoonish graphics of a bulldog character, typically in bright colors and designs. These T-shirts were part of the casual, relaxed fashion of the era and were often worn by teenagers and young adults. While they are not as prevalent in modern fashion, they can still be found.
12. Candies Shoes
Candies Shoes was a footwear brand in the 1990s and early 2000s that offered stylish, trendy, and affordable options for young women and teens. The brand featured a variety of styles, including casual sandals, fashionable heels, and more, often with bright colors and playful details. Candies Shoes was a common destination for many young shoppers for their shoe purchases during that time.
13. Mossimo
Mossimo was a 1990s and early 2000s clothing brand that became popular for its California-inspired, casual-chic, and sometimes street-inspired clothing. Mossimo was a brand often found in most larger retail stores. The brand was especially well known for their graphic tees, hoodies, and jeans.
14. Airwalk
Airwalk is a brand of skate and casual footwear. It was founded in the late 1980s but became popular in the 1990s, especially with skateboarders and in youth culture. The brand is known for its durable sneakers and stylish designs. It was a popular choice for those who identified with the skating lifestyle.
15. Jordache Jeans
Jordache jeans were all the rage in the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s. Jordache jeans were made of high-quality denim and were known for their tight fits. The label got a lot of publicity for their risqué ads and for their fashion-forward designs.
16. Jessica McClintock
Jessica McClintock was a well-known fashion brand famous for its romantic and feminine dresses, especially popular in the 1980s and 1990s. The brand was best known for its formalwear, including prom and bridal gowns, featuring tulle, lace, and floral details. While once a go-to for special occasions, Jessica McClintock’s prominence has diminished.
17. Paul Frank
Paul Frank was a whimsical and ironic clothing brand that peaked in popularity in the early 2000s. Known for its colorful graphic designs and the mischievous monkey mascot Julius, Paul Frank became a staple for children's and teenagers' clothing.
18. Wilson’s Leather
Wilson's House of Leather were reputable manufacturers of high-quality leather outerwear, known for classic and timeless designs, primarily produced and sold from the mid-20th century through the 1980s. Their leather jackets and coats were well-crafted and favored by individuals who appreciate durable, rugged leather styles with a touch of traditional flair.
19. Delia’s
Delia's was a popular teen fashion retailer in the late 1990s and early 2000s, with clothing that was playful, colorful, and on-trend, featuring a range of products from flared jeans and graphic tees to novelty accessories. The catalogs and stores of Delia's were a cultural touchstone for many young girls of the era. Delia's has experienced a brief resurgence, but it is not as ubiquitous or well-known as it once was.
20. Hypercolor
Hypercolor is an early 1990s fad of color-changing T-shirts and sweatshirts. The colors shift and change as a reaction to body heat. Hypercolor T-shirts were an immediate hit with kids and teenagers, who found the color-changing properties of the fabric an eye-catching and fun novelty.
