The New Nostalgia: Trending Accessories & Where They Came From
A wave of nostalgia and escapism has taken over today’s fashion world. The 20-Year Rule has come to play where we are now seeing reinterpretations of past decade trends–beginning from the Renaissance period to the early Y2K aesthetic. As we scroll through our social media feeds, we are presented with go-go boots from the 1960s’-1970s’, bucket hats from the 1980s’, and child-like beaded jewelry from the early 2000s. But where did these trends come from and how have they been revived and transformed throughout the years?
it’s time to ditch the purse and grab the fanny pack
Like it or not, this tourist-inspired accessory has made a comeback on the runway. Most popular in the late 1980s’ to the early 1990s’, the fanny pack trend was embraced by hot-shot actors like Jason Bateman, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and Jason Alexander.
The earliest version of this perfect on-the-go bag dates all the way into the 19th century where it was referred to as ‘the chatelaine purse.’ According to the Fashion Institute of Design and Management Museum and Galleries, chatelaine, or “a mistress of the chateau,” is said to symbolize a position of familial and social authority. So, it’s no surprise that we see trendsetters like Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid rocking the rebranded ‘belt bag’. Whether worn as a cross-body or draped over the shoulder this hands-free bag has crept its way back into style.
Business in the front, claw clip in the back
Before the legendary claw clip, we had the banana clip which came about during the Stone Age to confine and decorate the hair. These were most popular during the 1980s’ and the 1990s’ so, it’s no surprise that these banana contoured hair accessories have come back in style once again.
Toni Rose posted a TikTok that landed on every Pinterest-girl wannabe’s ‘for you page’ and the video immediately went viral. The video captures one of the co-founders of the account, showing users a hack on how to style the timeless claw clip.
‘break a leg—literally
Imagine that you have been transported back in time to the 1970s’, and you’re waiting outside of Copacabana in your silver lamé platforms where you can hear “Boogie Wonderland” blaring through the speakers. You can recreate that look today with platform heels from brands EGO Shoes and Privileged.
Believe it or not, these chunky heels have been around for centuries before the disco era. The ancient Greeks were the first to wear platform shoes to heighten important performers on stage, but it wasn’t until the 1930s’ that Salvatore Ferragamo introduced a more fashion-forward platform sandal. These elevated soles became relevant again in the 1970s’. Platform sneakers and lace-up heels made a comeback in the 1990s’ with Vivienne Westwood’s iconic ‘Super Elevated Ghillie’ shoes—that nearly killed Naomi Campbell.
Fast forward to 2021 where we are now welcoming these sky-high shoes with open arms once again.
Didn’t you hear? Olivia Rodrigo has officially made platform shoes trendy again after her guest appearance at the White House—where she was spotted wearing Giuseppe Zanotti’s Bebe platform sandals. The Gen Z superstar strikes again with her most recent look at the Met Gala wearing a pair of Saint Laurent platforms.
Now, we have established that the different trends from past decades have resurfaced and been reinterpreted in today’s fashion, but the question is why?
The answer is simple—nostalgia.
Andrew Abeyta, a researcher at Rutgers University claims, “People naturally turn to nostalgia during difficult times because memories can be reassuring in the face of uncertain times and make us feel optimistic in the face of tragedy.” Studies have shown that nostalgia “elevates mood, self-esteem, and a sense of social connectedness.”Andrew Groves, a Fashion Design professor, explains an interview with The Guardian, “Fashion is unsure of its future and has retreated into its past. Something it does during periods of global crisis, like a pandemic.”
Let’s face it, fashion trends come and go, but the ones that are reclaimed help to transport us back to a happier, more familiar time that we are yearning for.