2010's Fashion Trends We're Predicting Will Come Back

Even though we’ve only been in the 2020s for less than two years, the 2010’s feel like a long, long time ago. Sure, we haven’t quite reminisced about the colorful skinny jeans and peplum skirts with the same amount of fervor and love that 90’s supermodel street style and Y2K outfits receive (in all of their leather-clad and low-rise glory, respectively) but there’s no denying that this past decade delivered plenty of interesting fashion moments to revisit eventually. Scared? Don’t be! Here are some trends CR predicts will be circling back around…

Bomber Jackets

There were a handful of It-jackets defined casual style in the 2010s - the leather motorcycle jacket, the olive green anorak jacket, and of course, the bomber. The collarless bomber catered to everyone — from those who sought out a protective, grungy second layer to throw over a hoodie to those who preferred lightweight satin bombers with intricately embroidered flowers on the back. We're sure that the street style staple will be back soon, as Dior sent metallic, sheer, and varsity-style bombers down the runway at their Fall/Winter 2021 show in Shanghai.

Hair Feathers

On May 15, 2021, Addison Rae wore a hair feather of the same clip-in variety that used to be widely available for purchase at Claire's stores at most major malls in the 2010s. The TikTok star has over 38 million followers, so naturally what followed her post was an influx of headlines declaring that the hair feather had been brought back. It's important to recognize that there are varied perspectives on whether wearing hair feathers is culturally appropriating Native or "tribal" stereotypes and to educate yourself on whether your usage of the hair feather is respectful — or whether it's better to reach for a headband instead.

Chevron Prints

Chevron, the slightly more respectful cousin of the "Aztec" print, shaped the 2010s. You couldn't walk through a J.Crew or a country club without seeing women wearing chevron maxi dresses and chevron waterfall cardigans as the trendy prints were particularly influential among those who defined their style as preppy, reaching for espadrilles and Kendra Scott jewelry to complete their looks. Missoni is famous for their chevron prints, specifically on knitwear, so if anyone is going to bring back chevron it'll be the Italian fashion house. Their Spring/Summer 2021 collection showcased multi-colored knits, mixing their signature chevron prints with other geometric shapes and squiggles for vacation-ready, maximalist perfection.

Fringe

Fringe clothing is a continuation of the 1970's resurgence that we saw this past year with the sudden craze over the color brown, which went from being fashion's favorite color to hate to joining the ranks of beloved neutrals like white, grey, and black. It's time to reach for another 70's trend that was major in the earlier 2010's thanks to Coachella, so if you're thinking about buying a fringed jacket or robe for your post-quarantine wardrobe, check out @70sbabes on Instagram for inspiration.

Cocktail Rings

Oversized, stackable rings are already back in full force, and a quick Etsy search will lead you to plenty of options to purchase polymer clay, acrylic, nostalgic, and statement rings from small businesses. However, the gothy, metallic cocktail rings that were so popular in the early 2010s were a little more gunmetal-and-goth, so perhaps the next step for colorful 2020s jewelry would be taking a step into more hardcore territory. While we're at it, the bubble statement necklaces (these pieces were typically seen on the necks of preppy, suburban women in neon colors) from that same era could use a revamp — maybe something done by Sandy Liang along the lines of her viral statement rings?

Skater Skirts

The flared skater skirt was a closet staple for the 2010s fashionista who most likely owned it in multiple colors (or at least in white, black, and maroon). This flirty take on an a-line mini will be coming back with a vengeance as the girlier, less athletically-inclined sister of the pleated tennis skirt especially for those who aren't a fan of the Y2K low-rise skirt silhouette. We're looking for interesting fabrics and vintage callbacks, perhaps a reference to the 50's poodle skirt silhouette in a leg-baring length?

Leggings Under Dresses

A divisive trend if we’ve ever seen one, the idea of putting leggings under dresses or even skirts for more coverage is the exact opposite of how we intended to dress for hot girl summer. But when Chanel does something, it's pretty clear that the fashion leader is paving the way for the rest of us to follow — and that's exactly what we're predicting will happen with Virginie Viard's choice to use footless tights under skirts at Chanel's Métiers d’Art 2021 Pre-Fall presentation. Leggings were the pant of choice during the 2010s, so it's only fitting that the way we move away from athleisure and towards post-quarantine fashion moments pays homage to both Chanel and the it-pant from a decade ago.

Hawaiian Shirts

While we're not sure that this vacation-ready staple has ever really gone out of style, the 2010s loved their brightly-colored Hawaiian shirts. A new wave of floral-loving, unapologetically-loud clothing has made its way to the forefront of 2021 summer fashion in the form of the Coconut Girl aesthetic, popularized by TikTok's love for nostalgic fashion and colorful aesthetics. For a fresh take on the Hawaiian shirt, we offer the hibiscus print on dresses, skirts, totes, and more.