Self-Expression Déjà Vu | Nostalgic Fashion In our evolving society
The presentational aspect of fashion has evolved from what has been back then, to what can be in the present. These classic looks have gradually become a popular part of modern clothing couture. But what is more impressive is how today’s diverse culture has allowed vintage fashion trends to turn into a mental passageway towards self-appreciation and general modes of expression. Our evolving society has been able to take the trends which people have conformed to in past and have since made them a way for people to wear who they are or how they feel, rather than just being how we want to present ourselves to others.
With this new sense of meaningful, vintage turned modern style, there is more emphasis on “who are you?” rather than “who are you wearing?”
Loosely speaking, fashion has been known to come and go. Many trends become subjective and are soon thrown away when the next trend comes around. They are lost forever and buried with the memory of them being boring and last year’s news. And a snapshot, or a polaroid- since we’re talking ‘back then’ to trendy modern transitions- will show nothing but monochromatic individuals.
Cue the return of old, nostalgic clothing pieces, now with an appreciative twist. Both gender expression and individual identity have skyrocketed with the trendy translation from “new and typical” to “old but better.” Imagine this: a young girl will be riding with her family in the car, they will pass a teenager rocking a pair of low-waisted mom jeans, a crop top, and some crunchy sneakers (now we’re talking 80s) before hearing her mother say, “Wow! Mom jeans are the new thing? Those used to be everywhere back then.”
Image Courtesy: Pinterest
Image Courtesy: Pinterest
But what she won’t recognize is the unfiltered and rainbow-themed patchwork sewed on his pockets. She had a bit of a deja vu for the mom jeans, but not the new addition of expressing oneself fully in the form of clothing. Everything is out of the closet now- and quite literally too. But this is just the beginning.
The idea behind thrifting, upcycling, and bringing back any former age of fashion and beauty remains just as prevalent on the TV screen as in our everyday lives. The iconic 90s’ chokers and bedazzled makeup- as we see in Euphoria- has come back in both an edgy and preppy aesthetic. And not that I’m trying to go as far as the Victorian era, but the corset trends have evolved so much that we are no longer promoting the absolute suffocation of only young, skinny women but the comfortable use of corsets on all women and men.
Image Courtesy: EW
Image Courtesy: W Magazine
This form of representation garners the attention of those trying to make a statement with what they put on their bodies. Even if it ends up being the smallest detail, a person might contribute to this new-vintage trend simply by creating a look that is specific to them. Fashion has slowly become revolutionized as people are no longer trying to appease their peers, but are instead appreciating who they are.
With a new nostalgic perspective, people have begun challenging previous societal expectations by producing looks that hold the ‘vintage’ vibe and classic memory, but are altered to represent a new age and modern truth. The black and white photo booths back then show killer fashion trends, and in hindsight, we owe it all to them. Even in black and white, and in our own skin and clothes, at least we can say we both look and feel undeniably colorful.
Strike Out,
Writer: Nina Rueda
Content Editor: Gabby Macogay
Copy Editor: Reanna Haase
Orlando
Nina Rueda is a content writer for Strike Magazine Orlando. An undeniable Capricorn and Sabrina Carpenter stan, Nina enjoys thrifting, writing ‘in her feels’ poetry, and doing impulsive photoshoots. You can reach her at ninaroody22@gmail.com or @ninaruedaa on Instagram!