9 Nostalgic Fashion Trends That Are Making a Comeback

How to go on a treasure hunt in your own closet!

By

Kim Marcum

 
Published August 22, 2024
photo collage of nostalgic clothing items that are making a comeback
Elena Lacey

What goes around comes around is the very definition of karma, but it also applies to what we wear. Styles from the past are now cycling through faster than ever as designers and trendsetters alike keep an eye out for the next big thing.

That’s good news for those of us who like to get our money’s worth from our clothing. Not only can we keep garments out of landfills by hanging onto them longer, but we won’t have to reinvest when styles come back around for a return engagement.

In 2024, three boomerang trends are gaining traction and growing their fan base as the year progresses. Depending on where you were — physically and metaphorically — in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, you may have some of these items tucked away in a closet or dresser drawer. Or you may have embraced them then and never let go. Either way, you are bound to recognize these nine pieces that are ready for another spin on the fashion Ferris wheel.

‘80s Jewelry

Take a break from delicate studs and skinny bangles this season. Instead, tap into the big, bold sculptural styles that were all the rage in the 1980s. They had to be big, after all, to offset those huge shoulder pads.

My treasure hunt turned up large, disc-shaped earrings with a matte gold finish, a gold-plated pair shaped like big, ridged fans and a sterling silver set of wing-shaped clip-ons in need of polishing.

I also unearthed two wide, cuff bracelets that I’ll be working into the accessory rotation. Both have a flowing, sculptural feel that saves them from being too clunky.

In case you can’t find yours — or you’re looking to add more — check out earring options like a fluid bestseller in silver, a golden waterdrop, a wavy oval or mismatched discs ($15-$44). For a thick cuff at your wrist, take your pick from folded silver, glossy hammered gold or a hinged offering in a more muted rhodium ($16-$85).

Anything Western

Just as the TV series Dallas and the movie Urban Cowboy did back in the day, mainstream entertainment has helped push Western wear back into style. Kevin Costner’s Yellowstone streaming series, Oscar-nominated movie Killers of the Flower Moon and Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter album (yes, even vinyl is back and trendy) have each done their part to make all things Western cool again. Time to get out those cowboy boots, belts and hats, and polish up the silver and turquoise jewelry.

Moving to the Lone Star State just as the Ewing family was climbing the Nielsen TV ratings, I quickly became enamored with cowboy boots. I discovered that once you find the right fit for you, they are the most comfortable footwear imaginable. I’ve had a pair (or two) of Dan Posts in my closet ever since.

Although I didn’t succumb to the belts with Texas-sized buckles or wide-brimmed hats, I certainly understand their distinctive charms. If you want to add some to your lineup, look for belts at Etsy shops and cowboy hats at specialty stores like Sheplers and Boot Barn.

When it came to memorable pieces with a longstanding tradition, my fondness was for Native American jewelry. Born in December, I have grown to adore my turquoise birthstone even though I didn’t appreciate its lack of sparkle as a child. Long-time treasures such as turquoise pendant earrings and a sterling necklace are getting more exposure as the months of 2024 roll by. (Retail can be pricey, and affordable old pieces can also be discovered at thrift stores and estate sales.

If you kicked up your boot heels during the Urban Cowboy era, rescue those pieces from storage for another trip around the ranch. The trick this time is not to overdo it. Instead, mix an item or two into your outfit to avoid it looking like a costume.

Anything Preppy

The surest sign that preppy is back in vogue came during the European fashion shows when boat shoes appeared on several runways. Most impressively, this stalwart of the sporty set was showcased in worn, weathered varieties — as if they had just strolled in from the mud room. Some even were paired with gossamer and gilded evening wear that looked almost flapper-esque.

Although that’s a bit extreme for me, I immediately elevated my seemingly worn-out Sperry's from yard duty to at least running errands. Since living in Florida, I have embraced the sure-footed traction boat shoes ($52-$110) that deliver on slippery surfaces like ceramic tile and wet docks. Plus, many styles offer outstanding arch support.

The polo shirt is another item that’s having a moment. This time a dark, solid color layers over a striped, long-sleeved shirt with sleeves rolled or otherwise scrunched up to the elbows. Using this styling trick can breathe fresh life into pieces you already own — or can find online in cotton pique or supima cotton ($15-$27).

Heading into fall, you’ll want to track down any rugby-striped shirts, dresses or sweaters you have. They are back too. You can find hip-grazing versions at mainstream retailers as well as in traditional preppy havens ($34-$75). Confusingly referred to as polo shirts in some current descriptions, the thick, bold stripes are what we knew as rugby shirts back when they first became fashionable in the 1970s.

Like button-down — which previously referred to collars but now has morphed to indicate any shirt that buttons all the way down the front — the rugby term seems to be having an identity crisis. But that is a topic for another day!

For now, let’s focus on the task at hand — your treasure hunt for old items waiting in your closets and ready for their second act on the current style stage.

 

Do you have any items from your younger days that you still wear? Let us know in the comments below.

As a fashion editor in Dallas, Kim Marcum covered the international ready-to-wear collections in four fashion capitals and interviewed iconic designers from Giorgio Armani to Ralph Lauren. Later in her journalism career at the Orlando Sentinel, she was the senior editor on a Pulitzer Prize finalist in Local Reporting (2013) and on a project that earned the 2013 Diversity Award from the Freedom Forum/American Society of Newspaper Editors. In 2014, she joined Orlando Health, where she is the corporate director of strategic communications. She has two adult daughters and a grandpuppy.