How do seemingly distasteful fashions trends make a comeback, and more importantly, why do we fall in love them?

The ugly green bell bottoms that your mother wore in her heyday seemed so grotesque. Yet they suddenly reappeared on the fashion scene in the early 90s, and surprisingly seemed bearable in the bootcut version. The not-so-flattering tights and stretch jeans from the 80s that till five years ago you wouldn’t have been caught dead in are now on everyone’s must have list. Yes, the updated version--the skinny jeans and leggings are here to stay for a long long time. What is it that makes vintage trends acceptable overnight? I never really thought I’d love bubble skirts. I sheepishly admit…I do now.

The two questions here are how do trends make a comeback and what makes you go from yuck to wow? The answers are simple though not obvious. The need for change isn’t a new phenomenon. This need is extended to all aspects of life more specifically aesthetics, fine arts, clothing, make up, interior design, etc. The other important quality is the fact that they’re updated versions.

Typically, trends that do come back are diametrically opposite to the prevailing ones. So low waist jeans don’t just make way for mid-waist ones but go to the other end of the spectrum and voila high-waist jeans are the next big thing on the ramp. Tight tops of the 90s are out and in come loose and forgiving empire waistline, raglan sleeved, boho chic, and vintage hippie tops. Strappy sandals are pushed way back into the closet and ballerinas are the new “seem to go with everything” shoes. Small backpacks of the 90s are gone and all the girls are going for the big totes that you can carry your house in.

Sometimes just the fact that it’s vintage is enough for it to become a fad that could progress to becoming a trend. Clutches of the 70s and 80s are suddenly everywhere and have transformed the cocktail dress experience. Large belts and puff sleeves are making a comeback in their unadulterated original form.

Fashion repeats itself every 25 years. You could debate the period but not the maxim. A pattern that we often notice but don’t give much thought to is the “new and improved” quality of most trends. So, maybe the hot pants of the 70s were back for a brief period in the 90s, but they weren’t the wrinkly, cotton, knit, or spun variety. They were the new age, wrinkle free almost spandex but yet tencel kind. Closed shoes and Mary Janes adorn almost every girl’s pretty little feet this season, but no they’re not only in the plain black Miss Priss variety. They’re neons, hot pinks, bright blues, and don’t miss the embellishment; there are butterflies, bows, flowers, rings, medallions, sequins, and bling. Trends that make a comeback are redefined by this variant quality. This is what differentiates your bootcut jeans from your mommy’s bell bottoms. This is why retro knee length dresses are everywhere. Polka dots, a blast from the past, are back and how.     

So don’t throw away those strappy sandals just as yet and yes I’m afraid I can’t say this without cringing…shoulder pads might just come back.