Winter Fashion: Out with the New, In with the Old

Fashion fanatics should “be-wear” of all the not-so-new trends making an appearance this season. Stores are drawing inspiration from classic street styles and 90s fashion, giving individuals the opportunity to throw it back with their outfits and appreciate styles of the past. With the winter season here, a variety of looks are taking over, ranging from bold, textured outerwear to more versatile, everyday pieces.

Even classics can be transformed to make a modern statement. Faux fur, wool, suede, velvet, and corduroy are all essential textures to a winter wardrobe that make it possible to brave the cold in style. Such warm materials are commonly made into tops, jackets, as well as shoes. One pair of shoes particularly coming into style are creepers, a style of shoe with thick crepe soles, often in combination with suede uppers. Fun fact – this style of footwear originally came into fashion in the years following World War II, and its clunky look channels the punk and grunge rebellious eras, and even gives off a preppy vibe. These shoes are sold by several brands including Puma and Nike and are just one of the many examples of older fashion trends that are resurfacing this year.
Sticking with the vintage theme, bomber jackets refer to a garment jacket type originally created for military pilots. Though they were first introduced in the mid-1950s, they especially became part of popular culture and apparel in the 1990s. Bomber jackets can be thrown over a simple t-shirt and worn casually, or over a button-down for a more put-together look. Another fashion from the 90s particularly making a comeback is the grunge look. The popularity of grunge and alternative rock music helped bring the simple, unpolished style into the mainstream by 1994. Inspired by the anti-conformist attitude of the time, the casual chic look often consisted of t-shirts, jeans, hoodies and other outfits that have carried into present day styles. The tough, distressed look has now taken its form in band tees, ripped jeans, and moto-pants. Famous grunge colors that have been evident in today’s fashion are olive and camel. Olive green is usually a casual color that can be dressed up or dressed down. Camel is another popular color to add to a cold-weather wardrobe, as its neutral shade can be worn with almost anything.
It is clear that styles of the past are once again being categorized as fashion forward. Several stores are taking these trends into consideration, like Zara with its 90s inspired turtlenecks, and Uniqlo’s wide selection of outerwear, such as parkas, trench coats, puffer jackets, and vests. Many of these high fashion pieces can even be found in parents’ closets. “Hand-me-downs have never looked so good,” says Michelle Steele ‘17, wearing her mom’s vintage Adidas Superstars.