15 Historical Fashion Trends That Would Cause Uproar If Worn in Public Now
Fashion trends come and go, reflecting their time’s cultural, social, and political landscapes. While some styles endure the test of time, others quickly become relics of the past. Here are 15 historical fashion trends that would undoubtedly raise eyebrows and spark controversy if worn in public today.
This post may contain affiliate links meaning I get commissions for purchases made in this post. Read my disclosure policy here.
Hoop Skirts
Hoop skirts, prevalent in the 19th century, epitomized the Victorian era’s obsession with femininity and modesty. Constructed with metal or wooden hoops, these skirts created a dramatic silhouette emphasizing a woman’s waist while concealing her legs. While once a symbol of status and elegance, wearing a hoop skirt today would prove impractical and cumbersome.
Corsets
Corsets, worn extensively from the 16th to the early 20th century, were a staple of women’s fashion, promising to cinch the waist and create an exaggerated hourglass figure. However, the health risks associated with tight-lacing, including difficulty breathing and organ damage, have led to their decline in popularity.
Powdered Wigs
Powdered wigs, synonymous with the 17th and 18th centuries, were a hallmark of aristocratic fashion and social status. Worn by men and women, these elaborate wigs were powdered with starch or flour to achieve a pristine white appearance, symbolizing wealth and refinement. However, the association of powdered wigs with antiquated notions of class and privilege makes wearing them in modern times seem outlandish and disconnected from contemporary fashion sensibilities.
Codpieces
Prominent in men’s fashion during the Renaissance, Codpieces served practical and symbolic purposes. Initially designed to provide support and modesty, codpieces evolved into exaggerated protrusions symbolizing virility and masculinity. Their overtly sexualized nature would likely cause controversy if worn in public today.
Crinolines
Popular in the 19th century, crinolines were stiffened petticoats worn under dresses to achieve a voluminous silhouette. Made from horsehair or steel hoops, they created a bell-shaped skirt that symbolized femininity and elegance. However, their cumbersome nature and propensity for causing accidents, such as tripping or getting caught in doorways, make them impractical for modern fashion.
Farthingales
Farthingales, prevalent during the Renaissance and Elizabethan eras, were hoop skirts worn underneath dresses to create a cone-shaped silhouette. Made from whalebone or steel, farthingales exaggerated the hips and accentuated the waist, epitomizing the ideal feminine figure of the time. However, their exaggerated proportions and impracticality make them unsuitable for modern fashion.
Ruffs
Elaborate collars made of starched linen were fashionable accessories in the 16th and 17th centuries. Worn by both men and women, ruffs signified wealth and status, with their size and intricacy varying depending on social rank. However, wearing a ruff in public today would likely be flashy and out of touch with modern fashion sensibilities.
Bustles
Bustles, popular in the late 19th century, were pads or frames worn underneath dresses to accentuate the rear. Initially designed to support heavy skirts and prevent them from dragging on the ground, bustles later became exaggerated and ornamental, symbolizing the height of Victorian fashion. However, their impracticality and association with restrictive gender norms make them unsuitable for modern fashion.
Zoot Suits
Zoot suits, popularized in the 1940s, were characterized by oversized jackets with wide lapels and high-waisted, pegged trousers. Worn primarily by young men in African American and Latino communities, zoot suits represented rebellion and cultural identity during social upheaval. However, wearing a zoot suit in public today would likely be seen as a bold fashion statement rather than a mainstream trend.
Hennin
Hennins, tall, cone-shaped headdresses women wore in the late Middle Ages, symbolized nobility and status. Often adorned with veils or jewels, hennins exaggerated the wearer’s height, symbolizing elegance and refinement. However, wearing a hennin in public today would likely be perceived as costume-like as modern fashion favors minimalism.
Leg-of-Mutton Sleeves
Leg-of-mutton sleeves, popular in the 1830s and 1890s, were characterized by their voluminous, puffed-up appearance around the shoulders. Inspired by historical fashion trends, leg-of-mutton sleeves were a romantic and whimsical addition to women’s dresses, symbolizing femininity and grace. However, wearing sleeves of this style in public today would likely be seen as outdated and impractical.
Panniers
Panniers, worn in the 18th century, were wide hoops or frames worn under skirts to create a wide silhouette. Made from whalebone or wire, panniers exaggerated the hips and accentuated the waist, epitomizing the height of Rococo fashion. However, their cumbersome nature and association with excessive luxury make them unsuitable for modern fashion.
Fichus
In the 18th and 19th centuries, fichus, delicate scarves or shawls worn around the shoulders were fashionable accessories for women. Often made from lace or embroidered fabric, fichus added a touch of elegance to women’s attire. However, wearing a fichu in public today may be perceived as old-fashioned or overly formal, as modern fashion tends towards simplicity and minimalism.
Top Hats
Top hats, once a staple of formal men’s attire in the 19th and early 20th centuries, are rarely seen outside formal occasions such as weddings and horse races. Made from silk or felt, top hats symbolized refinement and social status, worn by gentlemen of means and influence. However, wearing a top hat in public today would likely be seen as pretentious or out of touch with contemporary style.
Doublets and Hose
Doublets and hose, worn by men in the Renaissance and Elizabethan eras, consisted of a fitted jacket and tight-fitting trousers. Made from luxurious fabrics such as velvet and silk, they were a symbol of wealth and status, worn by noblemen and courtiers. However, wearing doublets and hoses in public today would likely be considered eccentric or out of place.
