Fashion Cycles: What’s Coming Back and Why It’s Stirring Controversy

What is the 40 year trend cycle and what's trending on social media?

“Fashion is cyclical.”

I’ve heard it so many times, I almost feel like it’s a cop-out for “oh that’s just what happens when 15-year-olds start wearing their mom’s old clothes. Fashion is cyclical. (shrug)”

But what does anyone actually mean by that?

Historically, there has been a “40-year trend cycle” where every 40 (or so) years, similar styles resurface with a fresh twist and I am consistently in awe of the staggering similarities between decades. Forty years is the perfect amount of time for a new generation to feel nostalgic for bygone years, while those who were around and wore similar styles as children feel frustrated or uninterested in returning to old ways, hence fashion controversy.

Today, I want to explore some history of the 40-year trend cycle in the 20th century, examine what’s already drawing inspiration from past trends, and discuss what is currently trending on social media and why 1980s trends will continue the 40-year trend cycle today.

---

Let’s start with the parallels between the 1920s and 1960s: both decades idealized slim, youthful figures, with rising hemlines and funky tights, shorter hair, and even cultural appropriations like “Egyptomania” and influences from Asian cultures. The fascination with these cultural elements was reflected in fashion, interior design, and popular culture, creating a sense of nostalgia and novelty simultaneously.

Left: American Pianist, Edythe Baker in 1921 Right: Twiggy in the 1960s. She became synonymous with her pixie cut although says she never wanted it to begin with.

Left: 1920s Flappers showing off their stockings. Right: A 1960s ad for stockings. The horizontal stripes and fishnets are particularly similar.

Left: 1920s Women, Right: 1960s Teenagers. Note: In both photos, shirts are typically worn over skirts (not tucked in) for maximum boxy shape. I also love how similar some of the coloring is.