2010-2016: The Lost Era of Fashion Trends
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Anyone can agree that the last decade has been a memorable one in terms of fashion. Although the 2010s may have ended just one year ago, many of us look back on the trends with both nostalgia and utter cringe. The years between 2010 and 2016 witnessed some of the boldest and most shocking trends, from galaxy-print everything to that one flower crown every girl seemed to own. It makes you wonder, will these trends ever make a comeback? We have seen resurgences of styles from the 90s and early 2000s, in both streetwear and runway looks. However, we have yet to witness a comeback of early 2010s fashion. Is it because the absurdity of early 2010s fashion was just too tacky and random for us to reclaim in a presentable, aesthetic way? Will we just skip over this decade in terms of fashion? Why is it that there is so much praise and cultural obsession over the 90s and Y2K fashion, yet the 2010s seem to be left in the dust, forever doomed to be known as a laughing stock? While I don’t think that we will be seeing any patterned leggings on the runway any time soon, I wouldn't be so quick to throw out your hi-low dresses and infinity scarves hiding in the back of your closet, just in case any 2010s themed parties start to emerge.
It is safe to say that we will always look back on this era and celebrate these trends for the laughs they brought us, rather than for how fashionable they were. In terms of pop culture, 2010-2016 was also a very random time, contextually speaking. We were all shifting to a lifestyle dominated by social media and witnessed celebrities like Lady Gaga and Katy Perry embrace behaviors and things that have always been deemed as “weird.” The fashion of the 2010s started a movement that embraced weirdness and creativity, reflecting the shifting pop culture contexts of this random and bizarre time.
Although some of the trends of the time were questionable, they all quickly gained popularity or went viral due to the proliferation of social media. Perhaps the biggest social media platform that defined the early 2010s was Tumblr. From here, some of the biggest trends emerged, the most notable among those being the Jeffrey Campbell Lita Shoes. Before there was the “Instagram Baddie” influencer, there was the Tumblr Girl, and she definitely had a pair or two of these in her closet. These were sold in a variety of different colors and styles, some were even heel-less, and they all constantly sold out. Tumblr also gave us the infamous boho-hippie flower crown, which somehow even made its way to appear on red-carpet looks. These were also huge in festivals and events like Coachella, where many celebrities like Vanessa Hudgens were known for rocking these.
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When it came to dresses and formal attire, 2010-2016 fashion trends left us with some embarrassing Facebook prom pictures. If you were to walk into any middle school dance in 2013, you would be guaranteed to see at least a couple dozen “hi-low” dresses. These dresses had every girl going to prom looking like carbon copies of each other. The ultimate homecoming dance outfit would probably consist of a hi-low dress paired with a fishtail braid, flower crown, and of course, the Jeffrey Campbell Lita shoes. If you showed up like this, you would be considered the ultimate fashion pioneer.
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While the 2010s also included the resurgence of the bodycon dress and the skater dress, the bandage dress is really what dominated the social scene. The tight-fitting silhouette of the bandage dress was originally popularized by designer Hervé Léger in the 1990s. Stars such as the Kardashian sisters gravitated towards this dress for the flattering, hourglass look the dress gave. Eventually, the Kardashians would be attributed to the internet frenzy of the “hourglass figure,” which shifted the aesthetics of social media.
Perhaps the tackiest trend of the 2010s was the infamous patterned-legging phenomenon. For whatever reason, these were a closet staple at the time. Every single retailer you could think of sold these in a variety of patterns—from galaxy patterns to even mustaches. The 2012 cultural craze over mustaches is also another topic that fits into the sheer randomness of this era. Put simply, I don't think anyone wants this trend is specific to make a comeback. These leggings would usually be paired with a chiffon button-up top and a chunky, colorful necklace, both of which were major trends at the time.
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After going over some of the biggest trends of the time, the fashion trends of 2010-2016 are best summed up as random, bold, and chaotic. I highly doubt that these will “come back” in a way that isn’t satirical. With that being said, let’s only reflect on this “lost era” to appreciate the laughs and memories of these fashion pieces.
Strike Out,
Writer: Emily Valmana
Editors: Noelle Knowlton & Lexi Fernandez
Graphics: Lauren Wakeman
Tallahassee
