In a world of constant change, one precept always holds true: nothing has ever gone so out of style that it can’t come back in. The swing of the fashion pendulum to the trends of the 80s and 90s over the past few years is the first time in my life that I have personally witnessed a fad go out and then come back in style. Well do I remember my mother wearing puff sleeves and even more remember wanting them myself because of Anne of Green Gables; that Victorian fashion trend has now come around the wheel several times.

Along with those were big statement earrings; color blocked sweaters; animal prints; bomber jackets; chunky belts; and high-waisted, acid-washed jeans. In my preteen and teenage days of dangerously low hip-huggers, I swore I certainly would never, ever in my life wear this “dorky” style of pants, but it turns out my mom was, oddly, right — the high-waisted cut is infinitely more flattering to the female figure … and it’s cute!

If that were not enough, wide leg trousers and even bell-bottoms are edging out the skinny jean look that has reigned supreme for the past 15 years. Long skirts and dresses with busy patterns, Keds sneakers, and puffy headbands are all back with a bang. Now to her regret, in the 2000s when no one was wearing them anymore, my mom handed me down all of her big, puffy headbands, which I dutifully kept — though never wore — because she told me they had been expensive. I have since been rewarded for hording out of style fashion pieces now that they are the rage again … with these having the extra perk of being “vintage.”

As we begin 2024, what are some of the trends being reimagined this decade that you are excited to revisit? What pieces are you pulling down from the attic with relish that you wisely kept? Or are you mourning that you tossed them 25 years ago with the thought that they would never come back in style? Truly, nothing is new under the sun.

Sincerely,

Margaret Clay