GREATEST STYLE HITS

Which Of These Was The Most Bizarre Fashion Trend?

Image: Nik Korba

We know that keeping pace with the speed of fashion's evolution can be challenging. However, in the wide range of trends that emerged across the decades, some stood out, leaving a mark and defining an era.

Quoting Heraclitus' wisdom, we can think of fashion as the water of a river: it's ever-changing. And while there will always be comebacks, trends never return quite the same, but with a twist that transforms each of them into something unique.

From the popular miniskirts to the different styles of jeans, let's venture on a journey through fashion history, recalling 10 iconic trends that undoubtedly found a place in our closets. We bet you've worn some of these at one point!

Image: Tessa Simpson

Although they emerged among military pilots and aviators in the first decade of the 20th century, it wasn't until the defiant 1950s that leather jackets elevated to fashion icon status.

Worn primarily as a statement of style and rebellion, especially among young men, leather jackets became the ultimate symbol of cool. And that was, in part, thanks to iconic bad boys of the silver screen, such as Marlon Brando in "The Wild One" (1953), and music legends like the one and only Elvis Presley.

To this day, our closets still shelter this kind of jacket that resists the passage of time and defies the whims of fleeting fashions.

Image: National Archives and Records Administration

Originally appearing in ancient times as a type of military headgear, pillbox hats made a modern comeback in the 1930s. They gained widespread popularity among European royals, becoming a symbol of elegance and style.

But it wasn't until the early 1960s that pillbox hats captured worldwide attention. This was thanks to the admired First Lady Jackie Kennedy and her impeccable fashion sense.

Jackie made these hats her staple. And, you know, her influence cut deep, since every woman wanted to imitate her, leading to a widespread fashion frenzy across America.

Image: Anton Mislawsky

The miniskirt has undoubtedly revolutionized the fashion world. Emerging in the early 1960s, this garment quickly became an icon of style, particularly reaching its peak in the UK by the mid-decade. While some manifestations of above-the-knee skirts had appeared throughout history, it was the visionary work of British fashion designer Mary Quant that catapulted the mini into the mainstream.

Since its popularization over 60 years ago, the miniskirt has proven its indisputable power, constantly reinventing itself with each resurgence.

Image: Annie Spratt

While bell bottoms or flared pants may be familiar to most of us, the story behind the conception of these garments dives deep into the world of sailors, an origin that few know about.

At the very beginning of the 19th century, sailors boasted distinctive pants that flared from the knee, ending in the iconic bell-bottom shape we know today.

However, it wasn't until the late 1960s and early 1970s, with the rise of the hippie and counterculture movements, that bell bottoms experienced a major revival. This time around, they reached a wider audience, adapting to a variety of styles and becoming an unmistakable symbol of the era, transcending all ages and genders!

Image: April Laugh

Spandex jumped into the spotlight during the fitness frenzy of the late 1970s and early 1980s. From tights and shorts to bodysuits, spandex abounded not only in gyms but also on the streets and nightclubs.

As with other famous trends, superstars helped drive the spandex boom. Icons like Jane Fonda and Blondie’s vocalist Debbie Harry, are a clear example. But the one that most contributed to its popularity and definitely solidified her reign as the queen of spandex was the unforgettable Olivia Newton-John in the music video for "Physical" and the classic movie "Grease" (1978).

Image: Dancewear Central

Who could forget Jennifer Beals' final audition scene in Flashdance? It is etched in our memories, right? But it wasn't just her awesome dance moves that captivated an entire generation; her outfit made quite the impression too.

The leggings and that voluminous hairstyle were undeniably gorgeous, but it was those famous leg warmers that truly stole the show.

They were originally crafted to protect dancers' legs and ankles against potential injuries. But thanks to movies like "Fame" (1980) and "Flashdance" (1983), coupled with the influence of Jane Fonda's workout videos, leg warmers became an omnipresent fashion statement. Young people everywhere adopted them; what a feeling!

Image: Divazus Fabric Store

Plaid has always been around, from its emergence in Scotland many years ago to the present day. However, it experienced a couple of notorious peaks during the tumultuous 20th century worth pointing out.

In the late 1970s, Daisy from "The Dukes of Hazzard" famously tied a plaid shirt above her waist, sparking a fashion trend that fascinated an entire generation.

Then, during the wild 1990s, plaid was back in the spotlight. Far from its monarchy-related origins, the plaid flannel shirt became a symbol of the grunge movement, worn by members and fans of bands like Pearl Jam and Nirvana.

But the real boom came with the movie "Clueless" (1995), which catapulted the plaid suit to worldwide fame.

Image: Mark J Sebastian

Nowadays, many women have declared tight low-rise jeans fully extinct, but by the late 1990s and early 2000s, this type of pants dominated the fashion scene everywhere.

Also known as low-cut jeans, they epitomized the era. While men sported wide and loose low-rise pants, often revealing glimpses of their underwear, women opted for tighter-fitting styles that hugged their lower hips, often paired with crop tops that exposed their belly buttons.

Madonna, the Spice Girls, and Britney Spears (who still prefers them) were among its greatest exponents. Just take a look at red carpet shows of that era; you'll spot this type of jeans everywhere!

Image: Erriko Boccia

Also originating hundreds of years ago, platform shoes have had their share of ups and downs throughout history.

However, platforms are mostly associated with one of their most famous moments: the 1970s. Worn by both women and men, platform sandals and boots were the epitome of cool, and the higher the platform, the better.

Maybe you remember one of their more recent revivals. Around 2010, young women began embracing platforms again, as they seemed more comfortable than high heels for a long night out. This time, the trend didn't quite reach men, who cleverly stuck with sneakers for all their looks.

Image: Brooke Cagle

While already familiar to all 1970s and 1980s fashionistas, the oversize style has made a comeback in recent years, once again captivating young people.

These days, it seems like almost every garment is part of this trend. T-shirts, shirts, pants, jackets, blazers, and even dresses can all be worn a few sizes larger for that cool, relaxed look. The key lies in how you combine them.

According to fashion specialists, the current era is defined by a shift away from tight-fitting garments in favor of comfort, all while maintaining a strong sense of style.

Sailors slang

You won't believe these 10 phrases have a salty sailor past

Life on ships was all about teamwork and facing the unknown. Sailors dealt with changing weather, rough waters, and threats that weren’t always easy to anticipate. Many phrases that still sound familiar today came out of that world, even though most of us don't use ropes or read the wind anymore. Even far from the ocean, these 10 expressions still describe everyday life.

Can you imagine what "true colors" meant in sailing slang? It was actually a direct reference to a ship’s flag. Back then, flags could show a ship’s country or empire, loyalty, or even surrender. But ships could also sail under false colors to deceive other ships and hide their real intentions. When those intentions were finally revealed, the ship showed its true colors.

That meaning is not far from the one we use today. Today, the expression is used when someone reveals their real feelings or intentions after keeping them hidden for some time.

We’ve all entered a new job or tried a new activity, and had to learn how the whole system works before taking the first steps. That is the moment you get to learn the ropes, before things start to flow naturally. And on a ship full of real ropes, sailors had to learn, one by one, which rope was for which function and where it belonged before starting to sail by themselves.

When the ship faced a dangerous or urgent situation at sea, everyone’s help was needed, and the call was simple: all hands on deck. In that phrase, "hands" meant the sailors or workers on board. It was a call for when the crew had to act quickly. The phrase keeps almost the same spirit these days. We use all hands on deck when a task is too big for one person, and everyone’s effort is required to get the job done.

Imagine standing on the shore and spotting a ship far out at sea, which isn’t close enough to arrive yet. That distant part of the sea was called the offing, so when a ship was in the offing, people knew it was on its way. The phrase made its way from ships to everyday life, and today, "in the offing" means something will happen soon, and you already see it coming.

When getting ready for difficult situations, we often say we’d better "batten down the hatches." Originally, the expression meant getting ready for rough weather. Sailors would close and secure the ship's hatch covers so water couldn’t get below deck. The word "batten" refers to strips used to fasten things down. Years had passed, and the meaning went from protecting a ship from bad weather to protecting yourself before any challenge.

Cannons were extremely heavy and mounted on wheeled carriages. If the heavy ropes or tackles securing them broke during a battle or a heavy storm, the cannon would become a "loose cannon," sliding and rolling violently across the gun deck, destroying everything and everyone in its path. That dangerous image stuck over the decades, and today, we use the phrase to refer to someone who is unpredictable or to a situation that is dangerously getting out of our control

In sailing, the sheets were the ropes or chains that controlled the sails, and when the sheets came loose, the sails could flap, and the boat would start to move in a messy, unsteady way. The comparison is easy to imagine: someone very drunk can stumble like a boat that can’t stay steady. Sailors already used that image for a person who was too drunk to walk straight, and to this day, there may be no better way to describe it.

Out at sea, "by_"_ meant sailing close to the wind, while "large" meant sailing with the wind coming more from behind or from the side. So, when a ship sailed well by and large, it was capable of handling different kinds of wind. Over the years, that idea became a way to express something in a broad sense; it is used when talking about something in general, describing the big picture without getting stuck in every small detail.

Currently, "taken aback" describes a shocking or unexpected situation, but back in the sailing days, it was all about the wind. It described the moment when the wind hit the sails from the wrong side and pushed back against the mast. Now, when people are taken aback, it's probably because they received unexpected news or were caught off guard, leaving them unsure how to react.

The phrase smooth sailing comes from the kind of trip every sailor wanted: calm water, good wind, and no major trouble ahead. When conditions were right, the ship could move forward easily. Today, the phrase works almost the same way, but outside the sea. People use it when situations become easier after a problem is fixed. A work project or a trip can become smooth sailing once the hardest part is over.