What is fashion? Fashion is an identity. Fashion gives the opportunity to speak up and stand out from the crowd. Throughout history, many styles have come and gone, but they always come back. Fashion works like an orbit, everything thing that was once “in” will eventually find its way back again. There are three styles that have crept their way back into today’s society: the retro pin-up style of the 50s, the free-spirited flower children of the late 60s, and the grungy street style of the 90s. With elements from each of these fashion eras, we create the young style of the twenty teens.

Amid the 50s, the fashion rage was inspired by the culturally popular pin-up girls. Celebrities of the time, such as Marilyn Monroe, drew attention with cherry red lips and voluminous curls. This style has leaked into our society with young women wearing high-waisted pants, head wraps, and the eye-catching red lipstick. Head wraps and hats were a common accessory in the 50s; today, they are mimicked by tying scarves in hair and wearing sunhats. The swimwear of the time has made a comeback with modest, high-waisted bottoms and one pieces paired with cat-eye sunglasses. Simple elegance was found at this time: women would wear mid-calf circle dresses or pencil skirts on an every day occasion. Our generation has taken this simple elegance and turned it into a casual style.

“Make love not war.” The late 60s was a time of expressing an earth-loving, rebellious, free spirit. Everything fashion was natural–no makeup, no shoes, and no fixing hair, the style was comfortable and carefree. Girls of our current generation imitate this carefree lifestyle by letting their hair grow out long and hang with various braids and flowers embellishing it, and then throwing on a t-shirt and maxi skirt with not a care in the world. A pair of sandals and various necklaces and rings turn this boho look modern.

The 90s (a personal favorite) was a quick moment of “I don’t know”. A little bit of fashion leaked in from the 80s and then it just stopped. All we truly get from the 90s is grunge. Skater, street style took over after the era of big hair died down, and a lot of this style is seen in today’s fashion. Everything is black: black nails, black hair, black boots, black leather. Leather jackets and combat boots are very common in our generation today. In the warmer months, a popular thing to do was wear cut-off jean shorts and patterned tights underneath. A little bit of this style was seen last fall, but it is predicted to come this spring and summer. Footwear from this era is also favored today: Vans skater shoes, Chuck Taylors, and Doc Martin boots. Grunge fashion is simply teen angst reflected through clothing.

The style of the twenty teens is essentially bit and pieces of each of these fashion eras thrown into one generation. Our era is not new, it is, naturally, recycled.