Remember when everyone thought something was super cool, only for it to become a joke a few years later? Fashion, technology, and pop culture are constantly changing. What’s hot today might be cringeworthy tomorrow.
In this article, I’ll look at 18 trendy ideas from the past that people now laugh at.
Mullet Haircuts
This “business in the front, party in the back” hairstyle was all the rage in the 1980s. Men and women both sported this look, thinking it was the height of cool. Now, mullets are often seen as the ultimate bad haircut. People joke about mullets and use them as a symbol of outdated fashion.
Acid-Wash Jeans
These jeans with a mottled, bleached look were super popular in the late 1980s. People thought they looked edgy and cool. Now, acid-wash jeans are seen as a fashion disaster. They’re often used in costume parties to represent bad ’80s style.
Fanny Packs
Once considered a practical way to carry things, fanny packs were everywhere in the 1990s. People wore them around their waists for hands-free convenience. Now, they’re often mocked as the ultimate tourist accessory. Wearing one today might get you some funny looks.
Pagers
Before cell phones, pagers were the high-tech way to stay in touch. People thought they were super important if they had a pager. Now, pagers seem incredibly outdated. They’re often used in movies to show how old-fashioned something is.
Frosted Tips
Men bleaching just the ends of their hair was a huge trend in the late ’90s and early 2000s. Boy bands and celebrities made this look popular. Today, frosted tips are seen as one of the worst hair trends ever. They’re often used to make fun of that era’s fashion.
Low-Rise Jeans
Jeans that sat very low on the hips were all the rage in the early 2000s. Celebrities and teens loved showing off their midriffs. Now, low-rise jeans are often criticized for being impractical and unflattering. Many people are glad this trend is over.
Huge Shoulder Pads
In the 1980s, big shoulder pads were added to jackets and dresses to create a power look. People thought they looked strong and professional. Today, oversized shoulder pads are seen as silly and over-the-top. They’re often used in costumes to poke fun at ’80s fashion.
Bowl Cuts
This haircut, where hair is cut short on the sides and left long on top like a bowl, was popular for kids in the ’90s. Parents thought it was cute and easy to maintain. Now, bowl cuts are often considered one of the worst haircuts ever. They’re usually only seen in jokes or bad haircut lists.
Trucker Hats
In the early 2000s, mesh-backed trucker hats became a fashion statement. Celebrities wore them everywhere, often at stylish angles. Today, wearing a trucker hat as a fashion item is often seen as trying too hard to be cool. They’re mostly back to being practical headwear for actual truckers.
Tamagotchi
These little electronic pets were a huge craze in the late ’90s. Kids (and some adults) were obsessed with caring for their digital creatures. Now, Tamagotchis are seen as a silly fad. They’re often used as an example of pointless trends that people got way too excited about.
Popped Collars
Flipping up the collar on polo shirts was considered very cool in the early 2000s. People thought it made them look preppy and fashionable. Today, popped collars are widely mocked as a sign of trying too hard. They’re often used to represent arrogant or out-of-touch characters in movies.
Hammer Pants
These super baggy pants, made famous by rapper MC Hammer, were a big hit in the early ’90s. People loved how comfortable and flashy they were. Now, Hammer pants are seen as one of the silliest fashion trends ever. They’re often worn as a joke costume.
Crocs
These plastic clogs became hugely popular in the early 2000s for their comfort. People wore them everywhere, not just for gardening or at the beach. Now, Crocs are often ridiculed as ugly shoes. Wearing them in public might get you some teasing (though they’re making a bit of a comeback).
Wallet Chains
Attaching your wallet to your pants with a chain was considered cool and edgy in the ’90s. People thought it looked tough and kept their wallet safe. Today, wallet chains are often seen as try-hard accessories. They’re mostly associated with outdated punk or skater styles.
Troll Dolls
These wild-haired plastic dolls were a massive fad in the ’90s. Kids collected them and adults used them as good luck charms. Now, troll dolls are often seen as creepy or tacky. They’re usually only brought up as examples of weird ’90s trends.
Beanie Babies
Collecting these stuffed animals was a huge craze in the late ’90s. People thought they’d be worth lots of money someday. Now, most Beanie Babies are worthless, and the whole trend is mocked as a silly investment fad. They’re often used as an example of pointless collectibles.
Crimped Hair
Using special irons to make hair look zig-zaggy was very popular in the ’80s and ’90s. People thought it gave their hair cool texture and volume. Today, crimped hair is usually seen as a bad ’80s throwback. It’s often used in costume parties to represent outdated style.
Waterbeds
Sleeping on a bed filled with water was considered super cool and modern in the ’70s and ’80s. People thought waterbeds were comfortable and good for your back. Now, waterbeds are often laughed at as impractical and weird. They’re usually only mentioned as a joke about outdated home trends.
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