Reflecting on the introductory years of the new roaring 20s, it is clear that in times of such unprecedented trauma and anxiety, society has turned to nostalgic fashion trends to find solace.
As a creative outlet for so many, fashion functions daily as a practical breathing art form. Senior Gavin Pangan described, “[Through my style] I’m able to visually express who I am as a person to others without them knowing me. When I wear something that looks good, I feel good, it’s an expression of self-confidence.”
Many of the trends so far throughout this decade have been reimaginations of prior years and times of arguably lesser or different stresses – whether it’s 50 years ago or five. As 2022 commences, here are some top trends to keep an eye out for.
1. Black and white
Gossip Girl was hyper-influential to the identity of 2010s fashion. Following an infamously hedonistic marketing campaign, the show garnered significant traction and premiered in 2007, launching the careers of renowned Hollywood stars Blake Lively and Leighton Meester.
Legendary costume designer Eric Daman brought these high school socialites to life in resplendent school uniforms. He returned to the Upper East Side for HBO Max’s 2021 Gossip Girl reboot where academic flair has been reincarnated in modern looks, and the most timeless element of this style is a classic, gender-fluid, black and white color scheme.
From Houndstooth to vertical stripes, the immortal juxtaposing color palette makes patterns pop and jaws drop. Black accessories from masks, bags, shoes and jackets have been commonly paired with bright white collars and matching white eyeliner and nail looks.
2. Bold color
On the other side of the coin… or wheel – color wheel, that is – saturation is a top sensation. For a completely different look from the newspaper stand, complementary colors are an easy go to. Kid core primary colors hit the nostalgia vein just right. Pangan also agrees and attributes the resurgence of popular trends to a place of nostalgia.
Au natural green is forever giving and a top defining prediction for 2022 prom season. Actress Anya Taylor-Joy’s ravishing emerald Dior gown for the 2021 Golden Globes rocked the world right before prom season last spring, and having had a year to prepare, boutiques are inevitably preparing for another great green season of gowns and suits. Not to mention the hit song “Green Green Dress” from the 2021 movie musical, Tick, Tick… BOOM! setting the mood for the night.
3. Hats
“I love hats. They make everything better.” Junior Braeden Jackson could not have put it better. The return of y2k style this decade has brought back the trend of over-accessorizing; hats off to whoever decided it was time for a throwback! While modern fashion was focused around a minimalist futuristic vibe throughout the late 2010s, a decade later, maximalism has proven triumphant from head to toe.
The most prominent hat styles that have taken over recent runways include – but are not limited to – bucket hats, berets and lieutenant caps. Each is associated with its own unique aesthetic and can completely revamp an outfit based on textile and color. Generally, hats are more popular during the winter months, but even during the transition to spring, festive caps will continue their reign.
Pangan identified A$AP Rocky as one of his all-time favorite style icons. Pangan admires fashion and acknowledges that the resurgence of popular trends comes from a place of nostalgia. One of A$AP’s most memorable style moments was his bunny hat, and it can be argued that nostalgia for this look may bring back eared hats this season, as well.
4. Bows
When thinking of bows, the first individual that likely comes to mind is international superstar Jojo Siwa. In a 2021 Forbes interview, Siwa revealed that over 80 million of her bows have been sold since her brand started working with Claire’s in 2013. Although the queen of bows herself has stepped back from her iconic bow and side ponytail look, there is no denying the legendary impact she has had on young society.
The kids that started buying her bows in the mid 2010s are starting to enter their 20s and in this perpetual nostalgia loop have made more mature bows a top trend of 2022. Classy satin ribbons, velvet knots and bejeweled ties have all made appearances in hair and on clothing this season. Nothing beats a big bow on the back of a dress or an effortlessly graceful collared pussy bow.
Bows are not constrained to one gender, either. While it is traditionally more “feminine” to wear bows in one’s hair, bowed sleeves and collars are becoming increasingly more common on men’s shirts, too. Even sweatshirt strings can be tied in a simple bow. To put it simply, the curtains will never close on bows, and they will never take their final bow.
5. Boots
To be honest, boots have never gone (and will never go) out of style. Every decade has had its own particular style of boot based on available materials and what the boots would be worn for. For the U.S. in the new 20s, boots get to speak for themselves.
Dr. Martens was founded in Germany in 1947, and by the 80s and 90s, “Docs” were some of the hottest shoes on the U.S. market. The cute and clunky leather boots lace up and add a cool edge to any look. Currently, they do just the trick to satisfy the media’s desire for a return to simpler times – if the 90s were that much simpler – and the updates of higher heels and unique colors give them a new kick.
In general, platformed shoes of all kinds have been seen everywhere over the past year. Heels, sneakers and now boots can be found ubiquitously with an extra couple inches on the sole. Versace’s spring 2021 collection featured a line of especially high heels in bright neon colors reminiscent of doll shoes. Ariana Grande sparkled in a yellow pair and matching dress during her performance of “No Lockdowns Anymore” on the James Corden Show in June 2021.
Tom Holland sported thick heeled boots at the Spiderman: No Way Home premiere in December 2021. Fashion magazine described in an article, “Holland’s boots are by no means daring or avant-garde, but they are a big step considering his other Avengers teammates, and it’s refreshing to see him bring a small sliver of gender fluid fashion to the superhero arena.” It is exciting to see progress being made in breaking down Hollywood stereotypes for what a “leading man” should look like.
6. Mesh
If cutouts were a memorable motif of the late 2010s, mesh will be the equivalent of the 2020s. Sheer material is fantastic for layering and creates contrast with thick textiles. It’s easy to produce in any number of colors and patterns, and its stretch makes it adaptable to most body types.
Jackson commented again on this hot trend, “I really love my mesh shirts – obviously I wear stuff underneath them – but I think they’re a cool style choice. I feel like we haven’t really seen that before.” As something more original, mesh may have the potential to help define new 20s trends.
It is important to consider, though, if mesh is going to eventually follow the same trajectory as cutout clothing, consumers don’t have to invest completely in the trend to still take part in it while it lasts. Fast fashion is tempting, but it can have dire consequences if thousands of consumers wear pieces once or twice and throw them out. If picking out a mesh piece, perhaps start with one you can experiment with in different ways before revamping a whole wardrobe.
7. Corduroy
This classic fabric is a nod back to childhood. Instead of being just a coat texture, however, corduroy is making the rounds in pants. Oversized corduroy slacks are a nice middle-ground pant for wanting to be more formal than jeans or sweats but less fancy than suit pants.
It is also trying its hand as a spring fabric. While traditionally used for thicker pieces during the winter months, light corduroy bags, hats and pants (of course) will be frequented as a nod to the cottage core aesthetic from early 2020.
8. Tights
A staple of the 60s, tights – specifically in bold colors – added a pop of fun to any look while also adding warmth and maintaining modesty. They slipped out of style during the free reign movements of the 70s, reappeared in the glamour of the 80s, were replaced by knee and over-the-knee socks in the 90s, became essential to the preppy Gossip Girl days of the early 2000s and disappeared again in the 2010s.
Textured tights have gained popularity in recent years. While ripped up tights under shorts did have their moment in the 2000s punk phase, dots and even small illustrations on tights are more along the lines of a modern textured tight. Under skirts and dresses, they add yet another opportunity to create visual interest.
9. Gloves
During Iowa winters, gloves, like hats, seem to be a given for high school students playing outdoor sports or even simply driving. While gloves are always a good idea for practicality’s sake, the accessorized glove has made its return.
Senior Brady Adams confidently sports a pair of vibrant yellow gloves both indoors and out during the winter season. “I wear yellow leather gloves because they are much warmer than the typical winter glove, and the yellow appeals to me as well.”
From over-the-elbow opera gloves to dainty wrist gloves, this once essential accessory is back. Entering year three of the COVID-19 pandemic, society’s acceptance and makeover of a sanitary tool is completely understandable.
Olivia Rodrigo’s patent leather opera gloves in the “good 4 u” music video were just the trick to taking that whole video over the punk rock edge, and its hyperbolized high school storyline makes the aesthetic relatable to teens. She has been styled and photographed in gloves repeatedly ever since for Vogue, Elle, promotion for her Sour World Tour and more.
10. Jumpsuits
It has been 50 years since the 1970s, and the roaring 2020s are here to prove that disco will, in fact, never die. The jumpsuit was first popularized for male parachute jumpers during World War I, and when women entered the workforce more prominently during the second World War, the same suit was redesigned for female fighter pilots. After the war’s conclusion, these suits were introduced to mainstream fashion, and by the time the 70s rolled around, they had been curated to camp perfection in different patterns and pant legs.
During the mid 2010s, the romper made a guest appearance as an effortless option for women in the summer, but its specificity was binding, and it has been since banished to a long list of “never agains from the 10s” where it will remain with coral and chevron until the end of time.
However, the full-leg jumpsuit is reclaiming its spot as a versatile piece in men’s and women’s fashion. Harry Styles donned various jumpsuits throughout his world tour, Love On Tour, because of their easy movement. And – of course – where there’s Harry, there’s Lizzo: The iconic vocalist has taken to jumpsuits as well, but she has taken the route of the flexible catsuit. While Harry’s looser looks may be better-suitable for an academic environment, there is no denying the sheer perfection that is the jumpsuit.
Looking forward
It is comforting for Gen Z to find safety in old trends, and when fashion already acts as an expressive escape, not having to worry about something that has worked before feels reassuring.
“I don’t have to worry what anyone thinks about me, and I think that’s part of why I like dressing however I want to dress,” Jackson elaborated. “That’s something I’ve struggled with a lot throughout my years – not just in high school but in elementary school and junior high – is what people think of me. I’m more comfortable now just wearing whatever I want and not worrying about what other people think of me.”
High school is the time to experiment with identity, so why not try trends before they’re over? All students are experiencing similar periods of self-discovery, and school should be a safe environment for students to wear what they want and be who they are.
Jackson concluded, “I do appreciate that our school is being a little less strict on [trends] because I do think that clothing is such a unique way to express yourself and be creative. I’m so happy that people are able to do that more freely.”
Reflecting on the introductory years of the new roaring 20s, it is clear that in times of such unprecedented trauma and anxiety, society has turned to nostalgic fashion trends to find solace.
Kris Basnet • Feb 3, 2022 at 4:46 pm
This was a great article Caroline! As a person who want to dress better and incorporate more into their daily routine this was a good read for that. My favorite sections had to be to the black and white section. A lot of outfits I have been wearing have been all black fits and it is cool to see masks being implemented in your outfit and seeing how people plan their fits out to match their mask. Reading further down to the hats, I started being interested in purchasing my own bucket hat when it was mentioned. Not only adding bucket hats to my collection, I also will definitely add corduroy. Seeing fashion trends rooting from decades coming back to 2022 is exciting to see, and I cannot wait to see what other trends will go around in the upcoming months!