Home Design Tips Boomers Need To Realize These Dated Fashion Trends Just Aren’t Cool

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Boomers Need To Realize These Dated Fashion Trends Just Aren’t Cool

Monica November 9, 2023

Heavy Blue Eye Shadow

There was once a time in the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s when women decked their eyelids out with heavy blue eye shadow as a fashion statement. We feel sorry for those poor souls, influenced by the one and only Barbie. At least today’s fashion statement goes for a more natural look, though we can’t say that about everyone. There’s no time to go for the jarring Mermaid look except on Halloween (via Reddit).

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Bell Bottoms

These wide-bottomed jeans were popular in the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s, though that doesn’t mean they looked good. The hippie movement brought them into fashion, and if you were a part of that trend, you might remember the discomfort of dragging them along the ground collecting dirt (via Reddit).

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Tie-Dye

The ’60s were a wonderful era of free love, peace, and rebellion. That’s when tie-dye made its way onto the scene thanks to hippies raging against war. Those of Reddit can’t help but agree, saying “Tie-Dye is ugly and I am simply baffled by the number of people and brands who are like “we’ve released a tie-dye collection”. It’s worse when they call it something stupid like “the cloud collection” or “free love collection” because then it just feels pretentious.” Somehow, tie-dye surpassed the era and sometimes rears its head in the modern world, even though it’s better left back in the ’60s (via Reddit).

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Wearing Teenage Brands

Back in the 2000s, teenage brands were all the rage. If you weren’t wearing clothes from Forever 21, Topshop, or Abercrombie, then you weren’t doing fashion right. When you’re young, this fast fashion is an easy choice, especially because you don’t have to think about what to wear. But unfortunately, fast fashion does way more harm than good. Nowadays, people are more aware of the damaging effects of fast fashion, way more than they were a few decades ago. If you see a boomer wearing some cheap clothing, you might want to tap them on the back and remind them there are better choices out there. If you want to be more sustainable, head to a thrift store. But make sure to avoid some of the other horrendous choices on this list (via Reddit).

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Sandals and Socks

In 2010, if you were wearing your sandals without socks, then what were you doing? Socks are meant to be worn with boots, not with sandals. Sandals are meant for warmer weather. Unless you’re in the safety and comfort of your own home in socks and sandals, just do the world a favor and take them off your feet. The users of Reddit agree, saying, “Literally it makes you look like a slob, and whenever I see a group of guys walking around in long socks and their flip flops flip-flopping in unison I cringe so hard, who decided this was a good look?” Just don’t do it (via Reddit).

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Long Skirts With A Turtle Neck

Unless you’re trying to dress up as someone in the 1960s, just put the long skirts away. If they’re worn correctly, they’re very beautiful and flattering, but if you don’t wear it correctly, it can make you look like a walking rectangle. Avoid turtle necks at all costs if you’re wearing a long skirt. Even though this was popular several decades ago, it’s not now. If you want to go for the long skirt look, pair it with a crop top (via Reddit).

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Jersey Dresses

Until the swinging ’60s, jersey dresses weren’t mainstream. The fabric is clingy and unflattering. If you’re going to go for the look, opt for a silk or cotton dress instead. It’s better to smooth the look and accentuate your natural shape, instead of removing your shapeliness (via Reddit).

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Brooches

Back in the 1940s through the ’70s, you could buy a brooch anywhere from $40 to $400. This is a classic jewel that attaches to your clothes, coat, or jacket. Even though these never really go out of style, they can make you look outdated. There’s a fine line between vintage and old. If you’re going to go for the brooch, make sure it’s simple and doesn’t scream frumpy (via Reddit).

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Big Sequins

Back in the 1980s, you could buy a big sequin for a couple of bucks. They’ve been around since the 18th century when people would sew their sequins onto their clothes as a fashion statement. Back then, sequins were made of metal, but now they’re made of plastic, making them look cheap rather than fashionable and chic. You’re just less likely to see them. One Reddit user is highly opinionated about it, saying, “Ok, so like a couple of little sequins on the sleeve of a shirt or dress are fine but so many dresses are completely COVERED in sequins. That itches!! And it looks tacky!! This might just be me but dresses and shirts made of sequins should just die already.” Just leave the sequins at home (via Reddit).

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Leisure Suits

No one wants to remember the polyester leisure suit. Those of Reddit explain it perfectly, saying “Let us travel back to the late ’70s, children. I give you, the polyester leisure suit and, for those less-formal affairs, the polyester jumpsuit for men. Compete for the widest flair to the pants, the thickest soled high-heeled shoes, and the lapels that’d make a pterodactyl envious.” No one wants to look like a pterodactyl, so just leave the leisure suit at home (via Reddit).

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Bandage Dresses

For a few hundred bucks, you could wear your very own bandage dress. In the 1990s, this was all the rage. It’s a form-fitting dress that basically looks like bandages wrapped around your figure. Unless it’s Halloween, there’s no need to go for this horrendous look, even though some people definitely want to try to bring it back into the fashion world (via Reddit).

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Bandanas

In the 1990s, if you were caught without your bandana, you were doing something wrong. They were worn by different people and cultures, from Hip Hop to Country. People wore them around their necks and foreheads. The people of Reddit have tried to figure out a way to bring it back, by suggesting, “If you’ve got a rugged meets refined sort of vibe you could maybe get away with cutting it into some kind of a tight wrist wrap thing. Maybe with a watch over it or something? Would definitely be a little bohemian (or whatever) but if you had that going on it could fit. (Here comes the trying-too-hard crowd.)” It’s fascinating that a small piece of fabric made such a statement back in the ’90s, even though it’s now better left forgotten (via Reddit).

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Small Round Metal Glasses

It’s all thanks to John Lennon that the small round metal glasses made their way to the faces of the hippies during the 1960s. Whether you actually needed the glasses or not didn’t matter. Nowadays, most people associate those small round glasses with Harry Potter. Even though they used to be a fashion icon, they’re now better left on the shelves of convenience stores (via Reddit).

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Drugstore Reading Glasses

Those drugstore reading glasses might give off a good first impression, but that doesn’t mean they look good. You can spend a couple of bucks and change up your whole look, but those drugstore glasses look as good as they cost. They can also be pretty bad for your eye health since they’re not prescription and can cause blurry vision. If you need glasses, it’s worth the price to get prescription glasses (via Reddit).

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Cardigans

Back in the 1930s, women sported cardigans day in and day out. Some of them wore waist-length cardigans, while others wore thigh-length cardigans, the latter of which were not flattering. They give a shapeless look, and without that hourglass figure, you might look a little bit like a rectangle. It’s best to leave the cardigan at home, on your shelf, and opt for something more flattering. The people of Reddit asked if they should wear cardigans, saying “If I put on a cardigan will I catch the ugly? Do I have to find a job in a library? Please, give me advice on how to wear an article of clothing I dislike.” The boomers might want to rock the look because of how comfortable and easy cardigans are, but most of us beg to differ (via Reddit).

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Floral Patterns

Unless you want to look like a grandma from the 1960s, don’t even try to wear floral patterns. These prints are tricky to pull off, and unless you do it perfectly, it’s best to not even try. Depending on the print, you can look wider or slimmer. As one Reddit user puts it, “I really like flowers and things with nature. I just really don’t like floral print clothing. They don’t really match any occasion and they look very tacky. You can’t really wear anything else with a floral print shirt, dress, or pants.” If you want simple fashion, don’t even pick up the floral print (via Reddit).

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Capri Pants

Do you remember wearing capri pants? The trend started in the 1960s and even made its way to the early 2000s. Nowadays, no one is caught wearing their capri pants unless they are a boomer. They make your body look short and wide and sit awkwardly on your leg. It’s better to just wear pants that sit well on your body and either reach your ankle or your knee (via Reddit).

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Ripped Jeans

For some reason, people love buying jeans that are already damaged and ripped. Even though it might give you an edgy look, what’s the point? Isn’t it better to spend that money on decent jeans that’ll actually keep your legs warm, and won’t threaten to rip more? Some unpopular opinions on Reddit agree, saying, “I hated them since I first saw someone wearing one in the early 2000s and I was shocked and appalled that they made a comeback. Not only do they look bad they also defeat the purpose of wearing pants in the first place which is to keep the lower half of your body from being soiled, especially your knees. If you’re okay with your knees or calves touching dirt just wear shorts, not half-completed pants for aesthetic purposes.” Keep the ripped jeans at home with the angsty teens (via Reddit).

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