10 Outdated (& Absolute Worst) Fashion Trends By Decade

1. 1920s: Cloche Hats

Cloche hats were all the rage in the 1920s, but they were never the most flattering accessory for anyone. They were bell-shaped, fit snugly over your head, and often covered your eyebrows. So, wearers wound up looking more like swaddled babies in a bonnet.

Not to mention, this style was typically paired with shorter bob hairstyles and had a way of swallowing up the face, almost like a swim cap. You can still get this more old-fashioned style from The Vermont Country Store, or you can try a more modern take from Anthropologie...if you dare!

2. 1930s: Beach Dresses

While itty-bitty bikinis are a common sight at beaches today, women took a more modest approach to swimwear during the 1930s. There's nothing wrong with leaving some things up to the imagination, either, but beach dresses took the trend too far.

Typically adorned with ruffles and other decorative details, these garments were supposed to make you look chic as you lounged seaside. But they were really just impractical since, obviously, sand, water, and layers of fabric don't exactly mix well.

3. 1940s: Mini Bowler Hats

More than 80 years later, we're still confused about the rise of miniature bowler hats. These tiny pieces were perched awkwardly on wearers' heads and looked more like props from a costume party or play.

Mini bowler hats were simply too small to be practical yet too formal to be fun. And honestly, they were flat-out unflattering for most people.

4. 1950s: Poodle Skirts

Along with sock hops came poodle skirts, another fashion faux pas. These oversized, felt circle skirts feature applique poodles or other kitschy designs and were a hit with teenagers.

They were twirl-friendly, making them great for dancing, but the overly literal embellishments were more childish than anything. The silhouette might work for some outfits today, but the poodles can stay in the past.

5. 1960s: Paisley Print

It's no secret that 1960s fashion embraced bold, psychedelic patterns. Regardless, paisley print (like this dress), especially in loud and clashing colors, was one of the cringier choices.

The swirling designs were just overwhelming and made wearers look more like dated wallpaper. Plus, when people paired paisley dresses, tops, or pants with equally loud accessories, the result was visual chaos.

6. 1970s: Sweater Vests

We can thank the 1970s for groovy trends like tie-dye and bell bottoms, but sweater vests were more baffling. They weren't warm enough to be functional or stylish enough to be a statement piece.

So, these sleeveless knits toed an awkward line between preppy and pointless. Today, they've sort of made a comeback in baggier, more chic variations. But the classic fitted sweater vest can stay in the '70s.

7. 1980s: Sweatbands & Leg Warmers

In 2025, most people hit the gym in typical leggings or shorts with an oversized T-shirt or tank top. Back in the 1980s, workout classes looked more like overstimulating neon fashion shows.

Sweatbands and leg warmers are probably the worst offenders. They were meant to add flair to workout gear but were more about aesthetics than functionality.

Sure, a sweatband might be helpful, but leg warmers? Unless gyms in the '80s were equipped with crazy powerful air conditioning, it's hard to imagine anyone's calves were getting cold.

8. 1990s: Parachute Pants

Parachute pants were made from shiny, swishy nylon that, shocker, was the same material used for actual parachutes. These baggy bottoms typically came in neon colors or wild patterns, making them anything but subtle.

Aside from nylon not being very breathable, the style of parachute pants was just too loud and didn't really flatter silhouettes.

9. 2000s: Trucker Hats

During the 2000s, trucker hats with air-brushed fronts and mesh backs somehow became a must-have accessory.

Brands like Ed Hardy and Von Dutch really popularized this look among teens and young adults, who paired them with low-rise jeans or graphic tees. While they helped complete the ultimate Y2K aesthetic at the time, trucker hats have been replaced with more neutral baseball caps.

10. 2010s: Peplum Tops

Finally, peplum tops (like this striped one) are one of the most perplexing trends of the 2010s. They featured flared, ruffled hems that shot out from the waist and added more volume as opposed to defining someone's figure.

If you were a teen or college student during this regrettable era, you probably showed up to class or even parties wearing these tops. In hindsight, they weren't fun, flirty, or flattering.