We’ve all seen them: those terrible fashion statement pieces that never made sense, but somehow became popular. They can be the weirdest, most controversial pieces people have dared to wear (or are too embarrassed to admit that they did). Let’s take a look at some of the worst, tackiest fashion phenomenons through the decades, shall we?
Corsets:
One of the most constricting garments ever created, the corset is a dangerous piece popularly worn by women in the 1900s. Corsets are known to adversely affect the wearer’s health when tightly laced through constriction of the lungs and compression of the ribs, causing shortness of breath, internal bleeding, and fainting. Just ask actress Keira Knightley, who played Elizabeth Swann in the Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl* (2003). While considered an antique of its time, corset-inspired fashions still have a way of coming back into the fashion trend cycle.
Meant to be empowering, shoulder pads can sometimes go a little too far, and are considered one of the worst fashions of the 1980s. Overpowering and unflattering, shoulder pads were “big” among working women, and when disproportionately large, created a most unnatural appearance.
Lace-up jeans:
Laces are meant for shoes, not your jeans. Lace-up denim was popularized around the early 2000s. In 2018, retailer Fashion Nova received backlash after their indecent version of lace-up jeans went viral. Whether located on the side, front, or down the leg, these jeans may have once served a popular statement, but they have since lost their appeal.
Miniature handbags for women more closely resemble Barbie accessories than a functional piece for a full-sized person. With its miniature proportions, it is one of the worst styles of 2023 ever created for people who use purses. Not only are they too small to put anything inside, they must be easy to lose as well!
Micro Mini skirts:
When is mini too much? Mini skirts are one thing, but micro skirts take things to a whole new level. First introduced in the ?80s, they were seen as highly inappropriate and indecent to wear due to their minuscule proportions, and the style was listed by Huffpost as one of the worst styles in 2022. The big question is — how do you sit in them?
Tracksuits:
Tracksuits have an interesting way of falling into the categories of trendy and athletic wear. The velour tracksuit is a classic example of when trend and athletics tried very hard to work together. Popularized by celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, these suits came in every color of the rainbow. They too have found themselves on the list of styles that were a hit in the ?80s but are now seen as a fashion faux pas.
There you have it, a list of some of the worst, questionable, scary, or downright illogical fashions of all time. I want to give an honourable mention to sheer dresses, oversized blazers, and fringe. Here is hoping for better fashion in the years to come. Until next time!
Rachel is working towards a BA with a concentration in English and Theatre. She has been employed at The Cascade since Fall 2021 as a Staff Writer and a Jr. News Editor. Currently, she is the sectional News Editor and enjoys meeting and interviewing people as well as taking long walks in nature. Rachel also likes to stay up to date on the latest trends and informs students through her fashion column entitled Campus Fashion.
