ADVERTISEMENT

    Columbus Fashionistas Revive Trends of Decades Past

    One of the most celebrated French fashion designers in history, Yves Saint Laurent, once said, “Fashions fade, style is eternal.” There are fashion trends that our mothers and grandmothers loved back in their day, and there are some of those same trends that make its comeback in this age in some form or another. Whether women embrace these revived trends or not, it makes the look when styled with confidence and flair.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Two Columbus-based personal style bloggers, Elizabeta Damceski at mrsladylike.com and Lily Schlosser, founder and designer of Eli & Barry at lilyschlosser.com, weigh in with their thoughts about these trends and offer some styling tips:

    Crop Tops

    Commonly spotted among the younger midriff-baring demographic, this trend is still popular among women of all ages. Whether the crop top is of a loose- or tight-fit, this trend was huge in the mid-1980s to the late 1990s. Today’s crop top comes in a variety of materials, and can be styled for a casual or classy vibe. Paired with high-waisted pants or skirts to minimize the exposure of the abdominal region, today’s take on this trend is more modest than its 20th century counterpart. “The difference between this trend when it was popular in the 90s and how it’s being worn now is the difference in the amount of skin that is shown,” Schlosser said. “In the 90s, I pretty much always had at least a sliver of skin showing just above my jeans.”

    How would you style?

    ED: Black crop top, white A-Line skirt, a killer pair of black pumps, and a classic Chanel bag

    LS: I like a looser fitting crop top paired with a super feminine skirt.  Having the crop top be a boxier fit makes it less skimpy and more comfortable.  Pairing it with something ladylike like a silk high-waisted skirt is a nice contrast.  It’s fun to play with proportions with a look like this.

    Lily Schlosser in High-Waisted Shorts.
    Lily Schlosser in High-Waisted Shorts.

    High-Waisted

    Shorts, pants, skirts…you name it. Pin-up girls since the 1940s have been donning high-waisted apparel, and the high-waisted trend today has inflicted itself upon any kind of lower-body apparel whenever possible. “Way back in the 50s and 60s they (high-waisted shorts) were classy, but in the 90s, they changed and were a bit more grunge,” Damceski said. “Now I think the majority are wearing them ripped and in lighter washes.”

    How would you style?

    ED: A beautiful pair of floral high-waisted shorts, white collared shirt, nude ankle strap heels, and a nude bag

    LS: I like high-waisted shorts with a crisp button-down tucked into them. Add a pair of flat sandals and sunglasses and you’re good to go!

    A-Line

    A trend popularized by Yves Saint Laurent in the 1950s, the A-line skirt or dress is considered one of the more flattering styles for women. Commonly seen in skirts and dresses when the trend resurfaced in the 2000s, it is easy to wear and contrasts the bodycon trend. “A-line dresses are one of those timeless trends.  It’s a classic silhouette that is universally flattering,” Schlosser said. “So, really, it transcends the now and later question because I don’t feel like it’s ever gone out of style.”

    How would you style?

    ED: Belted A-line dress, a simple pair of heels, and clutch.

    LS: This style is fun paired with pieces that downplay the femininity of the trend.  Try it with layered necklaces, killer heels and an edgy clutch.

    Wide-Legged Pants

    Bell-bottom pants were all the rage in the 1960s and the 1970s, and it was ingrained in the counterculture movement. Songs were written on bell-bottom pants, and the trend was often worn with love beads, brown thick-rimmed glasses or tie-dye shirts. When this trend was revived in the 2000s, it looked a little different, but it retained the flare from the bottom of the knees, a style familiar to the baby boomers. Referred today as the wide-legged pants or palazzo pants, it could be patterned or solid.

    How would you style?

    ED: A nice darker wash, cream collared button down, cognac belt, and wedges or heels.

    Elizabeta Damceski in Wide-Legged Pants / Lily Schlosser in Overalls.
    Elizabeta Damceski in Wide-Legged Pants / Lily Schlosser in Overalls.

    Overalls

    People wore overalls for its economical and practical use when it first came around, but it is now a trend embraced by style bloggers and celebrities as well. From the 1920s, railroad workers, farmers, mechanics wore them, but worn in today’s age, it gives a relaxed and effortless impression. “Then, they were worn as a statement with your favorite B.U.M. Equipment sweatshirt, and they had a grungy feel also,” Damceski said.

    How would you style?

    LS: I like to pair overalls with things that make it edgy and grown up. Try them with a tank top and clunky sandals, like Birkenstocks. Add a statement necklace, feminine sandals, a bright red lip and a clutch for night.

    Photos provided by Elizabeta Damceski and Lily Schlosser.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Subscribe

    More to Explore:

    Eco-Chic at the Nexus of Style and Wage Justice

    HER Denim, a minority- and female-owned social enterprise led...

    The Top 10 Fashion/Apparel Stores of 2023

    If you're looking for fashion, there's a lot of...

    Columbus Fashion Alliance Plans to Open Innovation Hub Downtown

    Yohannan "Yogi" Terrell wants nothing more than for Columbus to live up to its potential as a fashion hub.

    Shop Talk: Downtown Boutique a ‘One-Stop Accessory Shop’

    The struggles Xantha Ward faced over 30 years ago...
    Nen Lin Soo
    Nen Lin Soohttps://columbusunderground.com
    Nen Lin Soo is a student at The Ohio State University with a journalism major. Originally from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Nen Lin now calls Columbus her second home. She loves exploring the city, attending music shows, and eating all things potato to her heart’s content. Meeting new people, speaking with unique personalities, and giving them a voice is what she looks forward to everyday.
    ADVERTISEMENT