Rinse and Repeat Fashion: The fashion cycle
At some point in our adult lives, we start collecting things that remind us of our childhood. For some it’s collector toys, for some it’s rare antiques our grandparents owned, anything really. We’re going to look at how the throwback mindset drives the fashion cycle.
The fashion life cycle is a period when certain styles become popular, these styles are usually influenced by stylists and designers who pull inspiration from their past experiences. As one set of creators grow out of it, a new crop takes over, hence bringing in another style trend inspired by the past. With the advent of the internet, the fashion life cycle is not as united, but instead more fractured across different communities. This is great news for creators because there’s more space for expression regardless of what inspired them in the past.
I always had a sense of the fashion cycle, but I didn’t understand how prevalent it was until I started working with vintage wear.
The shoes shown in the photo above are from two different eras. The one on the left is Call It Spring’s Carlyy, and the on the right is a Nu-Mode shoe (from our inventory) made in the 70s. They both have the transparent heel and strap, with the Carlyy taking a more modern approach to its design.
Here’s some fashion eras and the styles that were popular in different eras, do any of these look familiar?
1970s Fashion
Cowl-neck shirts and sweaters, pantsuits, leisure suits, tracksuits, sundresses worn with tight T-shirts, strapless tops, lower-cut shirts, cardigans, velour shirts, tunics, robes, crop tops, tube tops, embroidered vests and jeans, knee-length skirts, loose satin pant
1990s Fashion
Many women wore denim button-down Western shirts, coloured jeans in medium and dark green, red, and purple, metallic Spandex leggings, halter neck crop tops, drainpipe jeans, coloured tights, bike shorts, black leather jackets with shoulder pads, baby-doll dresses over bike shorts or Capri leggings, and skater dresses.
2000s Fashion
Super straight hair. Turn on your straighteners or be reprimanded for that one natural strand.
Low-rise ruffled skirt. Think, Paris Hilton.
Velour jumpsuits. Because sweatpants are all that fit us right now.
Low-rise flared jeans.
Slip on shoes.
High-waisted skinny jeans.
Long, high-waisted skirt.
Rompers and overalls.
Is there something you think I’ve left out? Let me know by dropping a comment or giving me a shout on our Instagram.
While we have you here, take a look at some of these vintage looks inspired by different eras in the fashion cycle or check out our store. We update our site weekly, so make sure to bookmark us and follow us on Instagram for release news and more fashion education.
