Fashion is exciting in the sense that if you’re into it, it’s plenty fun to change up your wardrobe so you can ride with the tide of the varying trends. But the downside of being so into the latest looks is that it can put a big dent in your pocket because you’ll have to keep updating the contents of your closet. In contrast, those who are more into classic pieces come across as being more practical because their clothes and accessories are considered timeless ergo, they don’t have to keep going on shopping sprees when the latest styles change.
For those who love keeping abreast with fashion, they should realize that not all trends are necessarily worth catching on to. Some of the latest ones may be worth considering, but there are other trends that are just plain tacky. And it’s important to know the difference between when the latest outfits should be embraced and when they shouldn’t be touched with a hundred-foot pole.
Here’s a list of some of the more cringeworthy trends that hit the mainstream fashion scene. Did you fall victim to any of these popular pieces? Or worse, do you even still wear some of these items?
16 Cut Out Shoulder Tops
[caption id="attachment_1611" align="alignnone" width="921"] via:www.moddeals.com[/caption]
Yup, looks like the off-the-shoulder look from the '80s is yet again making a come-back. Just throw in a side ponytail, a neon headband, and tights, and you'd look like you stepped off the set of Fame. Cut out shoulder tops are usually worn to bare the shoulders or with a tank top beneath, showing off the thin strap of the tank top. If people insist on sporting this look in this day and age, perhaps it's best worn at the beach as a cover-up.
15 Velour Track Suits
[caption id="attachment_1629" align="alignnone" width="904"] via:www.reddit.com[/caption]
The only ones who can get away with wearing track suits nowadays are humans under the age of 5. And maybe Sue Sylvester from Glee, only because she’s Sue Sylvester and nobody messes with her. But there was a time when everyone, from teenagers to cougars to hot (and not-so-hot) mammas would wear velour track suits. The more popular colors were of the pastel variety: baby pink, sky blue, pale lavender, and the like. Some even had glitter design on the breast or the back!
14 Crushed Velvet
[caption id="attachment_1613" align="alignnone" width="1000"] via;www.fashionandtingz.com[/caption]
For those not in the know as to what crushed velvet is, it's a type of fabric that has that uneven, wrinkled texture. It's velvet's answer to the crinkled look that was so popular in the '90s. A lot of women favored the crushed velvet look, particularly for their shirts and blouses. The downside of this material is that it isn't very flattering to those who have a few bulges or love handles here and there because it's pretty skin-tight. So the only ones who can carry off this look decently are reed-thin girls. In other words, it's not one of the most versatile of fashion trends.
13 Sweater Vests
[caption id="attachment_1614" align="alignnone" width="800"] via:tr.aliexpress.com[/caption]
Sweater vests have always been stereotyped as the go-to attire for college professors and preppy wannabes. Worn on top of a long-sleeved shirt, a tie, and paired with slacks, it's the perfect accessory if you want to pass yourself off as clean-cut and intellectual. And while some may consider this a timeless look, fashion trends dictate otherwise. It's considered quite out-of-date, something that was in fashion maybe in the '60s or '70s.
12 Mesh Shirts
[caption id="attachment_1615" align="alignnone" width="1000"] via:wheretoget.it[/caption]
Whoever invented the mesh shirt seemed to have a niche market in mind because this trend was definitely not embraced by the mainstream male population. Still, those who have one seem to be pretty attached to it, taking to wearing it to the beach or the park or anywhere, so long as the weather is warm. It's obviously a seasonal outfit, not to be seen during winter or even autumn. These days, it seems to be limited to beach attire.
11 Spiked Leather
[caption id="attachment_1616" align="alignnone" width="800"] via;http://g03.a.alicdn.com/[/caption]
Leather is timeless, but spiked leather? That's one fashion trend that should definitely have gone away as soon as it came. For a time, people sported spikes in their leather jackets, leather vests, and even their leather pants. The look makes people steer clear of you for fear of getting poked by the sharp-looking spikes. But alas, there are the select few who are still unable to part with their spiked leather and have taken to keeping them in their closets.
10 Shell Suits
[caption id="attachment_1618" align="alignnone" width="1256"] via;www.dailymail.co.uk[/caption]
Many of today's youth in Britain would probably cringe when they found out that the shell suit was a wardrobe staple for the people in their parents' generation. It has since been voted as the worst fashion item of the past 50 years, yet many of the older generation still hang on to their respective shell suits. This despite the fact that slapstick comedians like Sacha Baron Cohen have taken to sporting the attire in a tacky way in his film Ali G.
9 Furry Boots
[caption id="attachment_1619" align="alignnone" width="1155"] via;sportsmansguide.com[/caption]
When the winter season comes ‘round, there’s nothing more adorable than seeing little girls wearing cute tiny boots lined with fur and pompom balls. When you see it on an adult, however, tendency is to cringe inwardly. Mind you, though, grown women who wore furry boots were once considered very much in fashion. Worn with tights, leggings, or skinny jeans, many women were able to carry off looking chic. Today, though, it’s considered out of style, especially for those who wear them with sweat pants when making a trip to the grocery store.
8 Ruffle Tops
[caption id="attachment_1620" align="alignnone" width="900"] via:http://www.moddeals.com/[/caption]
Remember the time when ruffles were the in thing and were placed on any item of clothing under the sun? From blouses to skirts and yes, even to bathing suits and underwear, ruffles were everywhere. A ruffle blouse was once a staple business attire, often paired with a pencil skirt, stilettos, and pearls. While many girls still secretly keep their ruffles in their closets, it's sadly considered out of style at the moment.
7 Bubble Skirts
[caption id="attachment_3483" align="alignnone" width="894"] via:via;http://www.slimfit-clothing.com/[/caption]
Remember the absolutely cringeworthy bubble skirts that were once in fashion, maybe 10 years ago? Short or knee-length or long, this style of skirts was downright painful to the eyes, yet it made such a splash on the fashion scene. Women of all shapes, forms, and sizes owned at least one bubble skirt in their closet. Maybe someone with super long, skinny legs would be able to get away with wearing one and make it look almost decent. But if you had thick legs or a big butt? You’d run the risk of looking like some sort of cake with too much frosting!
6 Oversized Hoop Earrings
[caption id="attachment_1622" align="alignnone" width="1200"] via;www.pinkboutique.co.uk[/caption]
Probably the only person these days who actually still wears big chunky hoop earrings is Rihanna. And she can get away with it because well, she’s Rihanna. But to the more trend-conscious set, that look should have been left back in the early part of the 2000s where it belonged. During their heyday, chunky earrings were worn by girls everywhere.
5 Screaming Logos
[caption id="attachment_1704" align="alignnone" width="1378"] via:lust4labels.com[/caption]
Despite the fact that they’re items that depreciate in value, designer handbags still continue to sell like hotcakes. And because the “masses” continue to purchase these items as a means to boost their social status, they make sure to buy the bags that absolutely scream the designer’s logos. Brands that come to mind are the Louis Vuitton monogram and damier logos, the linked G’s of Gucci, and the MK sign of Micahel Kors. But what many are failing to realize is that the more flashy the logo, the less classy it comes across. It’s the hushed luxury of brands like Hermes that speak to the more fashionable crowd nowadays.
4 Wide Belts
[caption id="attachment_1626" align="alignnone" width="1500"] via:www.wolfandbadger.com[/caption]
There’s no easier or better way to cinch that waist by looping a thick, gartered belt high on your torso to give you that hour-glass shape. Wrapped over a loose blouse and skin-tight pants and you’d definitely be considered dressed to the nines. Ten years ago, at least. Hardly anyone these days wears those corset-like belts anymore, unless they’re desperately trying to hide a thickening waistline or bulging belly. But these days, Spanx would be a safer choice to do the trick!
3 Belt Bags
[caption id="attachment_1625" align="alignnone" width="679"] via;http://i.ngimg.com[/caption]
Remember that time when belt bags actually became a piece of trendy apparel and not simply that tacky thing worn around the waist by tourists who didn’t know any better? Yes, for a few short months some ten years back, belt bags became a fashionista’s go-to when it came to accessories. They came in different colors, textures, styles, decorated in sequins, glitter, crystals, you name it. But since the belt bag is not the most practical object to carry around, plus it’s prone to pickpocketing, the trend predictably died a natural death quite quickly.
2 Bootleg Pants
[caption id="attachment_1624" align="alignnone" width="1002"] via:www.weddingsoutfit.com[/caption]
For girls who wanted to seem taller, yet not call attention to their attempts to increase their height, a pair of bootleg pants was definitely their best friend. They got to wear the highest of heels that were nicely covered by the flare of the pants’ hem. It also elongated the legs and drew the attention away from the hips or thighs. But this fashion staple took a sudden backseat when skinny jeans and boyfriend jeans shot to immediate popularity.
1 Clear Bra Straps
[caption id="attachment_1623" align="alignnone" width="996"] via:http://mcdn.zulilyinc.com/[/caption]
At the time when tube tops and halter tops were all the rage and showing one’s bra straps were considered a no-no, women took to wearing clear bra straps to hold up their strapless bras under their tops. These clear straps were meant to be invisible, but come on, who were they kidding? They’re anything but! Since the straps are plastic, they’re shiny and seen from a mile away. Luckily, that trend faded away and was replaced by nude-colored straps or heck, no straps at all.
Sources: slice.ca, minq.com, styledemocracy.com, dumpyourfrump.com, businessinsider.com, babble.com
