As ephemeral as trends are, they have a way of coming back years or even decades later.
And for today’s top trends, it looks as though designers and celebrities have borrowed style cues from the past to craft looks, that feel modern as well as retro.
Here’s a look back at some of the trends from yesteryear that made a comeback in 2018 and are here to stay, at least for a while.
Then: Straw bags
Jane Birkin was never without a straw tote in her grip in the ‘70s. A permanent fixture of hers, the bag was thought of as a way to achieve the effortless French girl glamour.
Now: Straw bags
Designers take on the straw bag with great gusto. It now boasts added structure, new silhouettes, and luxe trimmings, like leather edges and wide canvas stripes
Then: Skinny cat-eye frames
Before ‘The Matrix’ popularised futuristic, angular eye-wear, there was Marilyn Monroe, who wore her cat-eye pair outside the Elizabeth Arden salon in New York City in 1955.
Now: Skinny cat-eye frames
Alexander Wang furthered fashion’s obsession with ‘The Matrix’ when he showed a Fall/Winter 2018 line-up of largely all-black looks, complete with skinny sunglasses and reflective cat-eyes.
Then: Giant hoop earrings
In 1973, Diana Ross knew that a pair of outsized hoop earrings were the only accessories she needed to give an otherwise pared-back outfit a major statement.
Now: Giant hoop earrings
Today, enormous hoop earrings —whether they’re skinny and plain (as seen on Beyonce) or studded in gemstones—achieve the same effect.
Then: Fanny packs
Fanny packs got their bad rap from the bright-coloured nylon styles in the ‘80s, but Donna Summer proved they were once chic, strapping a leather-trimmed one around her waist during a performance in 1979.
Now: Fanny Packs
Fanny Packs (otherwise known as “hip packs” or “bag belts”) have finally been embraced by the fashion set. Gucci’s Alessandro Michele blanketed his version in logos for Spring/Summer 2018 (and by doing so, knocked out two nostalgic trends in one go) and used it to give an ethereal floor-length gown a hit of edge.
Then: Chunky sneakers
For the working woman, comfortable footwear was relegated to long commutes and swapped once the person was in the office .
Now: Chunky sneakers
Comfort has been widely embraced now and with it, chunky sneakers (now made by nearly every luxury brand like Louis Vuitton, and Prada), are spotted everywhere, even on the red carpet.
Then: White tights
Twiggy cemented herself as the leader of the mod look with her white (if not white, then pastel) tights and swingy ‘60s dresses.
Now: White tights
In a valiant effort to bring back white tights, Karl Lagerfeld outfitted nearly every model in his Chanel Cruise 2019 nautical-themed collection in pale stockings.
Now: Power suits
Once a uniform for conservative offices, power suits have gained both mainstream appeal and street cred. Playful updates like fun colours and loose silhouettes (versus monochrome palettes and rigid tailoring) have helped.
Then: Power suits
A favourite of our favourites. Katherine Hepburn, Julia Roberts, Bianca Jagger, Marlene Dietrich --- they’ve all rocked the power suit in ages past.