Every decade brings its own unique style and fashion that has both good and bad sides. We all know that people experimented with fashion in the past, and some of those experiments may have gone a bit too far.
From flared jeans to war uniform-like dresses, there were always misses when it came to fashion. But which decade had more of those bad choices than the good ones?
Here are some of the worst fashion statements over the decades, ranked.
#8: The 2010s: Hipster Overload and Questionable Rompers
In the 2010s, people tried to blend the new cool with vintage thrift-shop chaos, and it was often too much. With zebra and cheetah prints everywhere, huge glasses, and mustaches printed on everything, it simply looked chaotic.
Also, lumberjack beards, adult male rompers, and jeggings did not want subtlety to enter the room at all.
The era’s true obsession with normcore made it hard to tell if people were trolling or not.
#7: The 1950s: Stiff Silhouettes and Zero Comfort
While the ‘50s are often romanticized when it comes to fashion, the style was mostly rigid (quite literally).
Corset-inspired waistlines made women fear breathing, crinoline skirts did not look so flattering on everyone, and constricting suits weren’t exactly breathable or enjoyable. It was a stiff-looking style that you couldn’t wait to get out of in the evening.
It looked polished, yes, but you’d need a lot of time (and hands) to get dressed in the morning.
#6: The 1980s: Neon Nightmares and Shoulder Pads for Days
We have all seen those iconic ’80s movies, and we couldn’t help but notice the eccentric fashion of the time. The ’80s were the times when we turned highlighters into clothes, and it looked exactly as it sounds.
Shoulder pads turned pretty much everyone into walking triangles, and tracksuits slowly became eveningwear (which is something Ge Z wouldn’t complain about).
It was bold, iconic, and very unforgettable. Plus, the hair made it even crazier, so you really had to live in the era to understand some of the questionable fashion choices of the ’80s.
#5: The 2000s: Low-Rise Jeans and Too Much Bedazzling
The early 2000s were a very confusing time for fashion because our waistlines were experimented with way too much.
Low-rise jeans were so low we had to wear low-rise panties as well, and it left nothing to the imagination. Rhinestones were everywhere, and glitter was practically a dress code.
Also, the chunky highlights and non-existent eyebrows made everyone feel good, but did it look good, though?
#4: The 1940s: War-Era Uniformity and Odd Accessories
Fashion in the ‘40s was inspired by uniforms, and it was shaped by rationing. This led people to choose a lot of practical but drab fits.
Shoulder pads were again very popular, but with less neon (adding a lot of grays and browns) and more boxy seriousness.
Hair was kept tidy and minimal, and men were usually wearing mustaches and ‘uniform-like’ suits. Does not sound really fun, right?
The one thing that was kind of fun was hats. They were huge, but not always flattering, and most looked like some kind of bird that escaped its cage.
#3. The 1990s: Bucket Hats, Overalls, and Confused Layers
One of the most confusing decades when it comes to fashion was definitely the ’90s. People didn’t know whether to go grunge or glam, so they did both.
We witnessed baggy everything, and denim on denim, which was considered cool and formal, even as a Red Carpet look.
Some shows set an example of the ‘trendy ’90s looks’ and people were obsessed. Today, most teenagers look at these outfits for inspiration, while older generations still cringe at them.
#2: The 1930s: Depression-Era Glam That Wasn’t Practical
People tried to keep their clothes elegant during hard times, but the fashion of the ’30s often came off as impractical fantasy.
’30s-style gowns and evening gloves did not truly go hand in hand with the reality of soup lines and dusty homes.
People dressed just for show, so budget-friendly options did not always look the best, but it was the vibe of the time.
#1: The 1970s: Bell-Bottom Fever, Polyester Everything, and Too Much Fringe
The ’70s were a beautiful mess of everything: from texture, pattern, to the crazy hairstyles and way too much brown.
Polyester was everywhere, and people did not mind, even during hot weather. Bell-bottoms flared out almost like personal parachutes, and crazy hairdos were the norm.
Men wore tight jeans, platform shoes, and thick mustaches, while women loved everything earthy, synthetic, and with a wild pattern. Of course, hippies were a different story with their long hair, natural-everything, long dresses, and a barefoot lifestyle.
Fringe, wide collars, and bold prints made the ’70s one of the most chaotic fashion decades of all time.
