Are They Ever Going Away? Trends that keep coming back for more.

In the last decade, we have a seen a variety of trends come back from the grave and make a hit in the present-day fashion era. For instance, the Gaucho pants were popular for quite some time around 2004-2005. The flare jeans have been coming and going for the last ten (plus) years. Leg warmers, leggings, animal print, heavy jewelry, flapper-style dresses, Twiggy-style, and the masculine silhouette of the 1920’s are some uprising trends to name a few. So why do these trends keep coming back? Who decides, “Hey, I think that would be cool to wear even though it’s 60 years obsolete”?

I’ve always wanted to know how designers and stylists come up with their ideas and who thinks of them first. I decided to research these resurrected trends a little more in-depth and attempt to discover what they are, why they returned, and which versions of these styles are hot, and which are just wannabe trend-setters.

After researching many magazines, articles, and websites, I found 10 common trends that were innovated many to few years ago, and are live and thriving in today’s fashion.

1) The Leather Bomber Jacket
Originally intended for the cockpit crews during World War II, this leather piece caught Madonna’s eye in the 80’s fashion revolution, and continued to catch on due to its chic and tough look combined into one.

You’ve got to be careful with these jackets, however, because many of them will fool you into thinking they are the bomber jackets we’re talking about. Look for those that flatter your image and appear to be authentic and simple. Stay away from those with belts, logos, embroideries, or extremely tight sleeves. These guys are trying too hard.

2) The Baby Doll Dress
Beginning in the 60’s, this empirical-figured dress has been a sweet, flirty, and fun way to dress up (and also dress down) due to its versatility of style. This dress has never retired because of its sweetness and forgiveness that allows petite and plus-sized females to be able to rock this dress.

This dress is best in an appropriate, calming color, and with a cut that isn’t too revealing—like a mediocre A-line.

Look out for over-revealing shapes that make this dress incredibly voluminous on a figure. Stay away from crazy colors and added features like ruffles, bows, lace, etc. This dress has a low tolerance for older women trying to look younger with little-girl style ruffles and ribbons. If you think you don’t belong in it, then you probably don’t.

3) Platform Shoes and Boots
From Stevie Nicks to disco-dancin’ lovers—The platform shoe has proved to be a versatile shoe for different people, events, and purposes. They have a fun and flirty effect, but they save your feet at the same time from miserable discomfort.

You don’t want platform and heel to be very much higher than a 4:1 inch ratio. After all, you want to be sophisticated and sexy–not a mall-prowling teen looking for eye candy.

Avoid the extreme heel, colors, and material.

4) The Peasant Skirt
From the 1950’s housewife, 1970’s free-loving hippie, and the everyday carpooling mom—The Peasant Skirt is a loved one because of its sophistication, easy comfort, and classy look.

The peasant skirt can come in so many colors and styles. They can be extremely unique and ethnic, or very simple.

Don’t go overboard with Kiera Knightly in Pirates of the Caribbean and get a skirt that is overly-dramatic.

5) The Tie-Neck Blouse
This blouse has been a way to express femininity, confidence, and modesty all in one for many years.

Look for tie-necks made by bigger designers that have more emphasis on the classiness and sophistication in the color, material, or fit. These ones tend to be made with better proportions and look flattering on a variety of women.

If its made by a cheap, mass-producing designer, you should stay away. This style of blouse is too sophisticated and sleek to be made by anything else than a designer that uses the best material and color. If you aren’t willing to spend the extra few bucks—Choose a different style of blouse.

6) Leggings & Skinny Jeans
Whether you’re layering for style or comfort, dressing down with an over-sized sweater or dressing up with a cutesy dress, leggings and skinny jeans have been made in many styles and look good in multiple ways. They are also a great way to show off legs or cute heels without showing skin.

For leggings, choose the darker colors that can be paired with multiple outfits or materials like cute lace or corduroy that keeps your look trendy. For skinny jeans, stick to figure-flattering styles that keep you looking flirty and fun.

A lot of designers got a little legging-happy over the last couple years with zippers at the ankles, intentional tears & rips, and extreme neon colors or animal prints. STAY AWAY FROM THESE.

7) Ankle Boots
It would probably surprise you to know that these little wonders were inspired by 19th Century soldiers. These boots are loved by many women because of their ability to be worn with all different types of calf sizes, and you can get the look and the height of a boot without having to go full-length under trousers.

Stick to simple, dark colors like black, brown, or dark blue.

Avoid crazy prints like snake print material or bright red. You also want to be careful of how pointy the toe is.

8 ) Patent Leather
Since the1800s, the high-gloss material has been hot over and over again. Patent leather gives your outfit an instant wow factor, but it’s still an approachable and wearable trend that can be simplified if needed.

This material is ok if it’s an accessory such as a clutch or a simple handbag, skinny belt, or pumps—especially in a basic color like black, nude, or red.

If you find a leather jacket that is half leather, half shiny jacket with shoulder pads—Turn the other way.

9) Wedges
Generations of high-stepping women have loved these shoes since the first pair was constructed from wine-bottle corks in the 1930s. They give women the psychological feeling of great height―but with much more comfort than typical heels.

They keep up with all that walking and talking that you do and do not wear and tear due to their material.

They are still cute, but closed-toe wedges are WAY more uncomfortable than open-toed wedges. Want to be safe than sorry? Stick to the open-toed.

10) Animal Print
Animal prints make women feel wild and fierce. That is why this print has been popular way back since the 1950’s, continuing to put women’s fashion on the rise.

Look for the larger-cat prints on clothing and accessories like cheetah and leopard prints.

Stay away from colored-animal prints or larger, out-of-scale prints that seem totally unnatural. You don’t want to look like your trying to hard to be a Sasha Fierce.