andrew
Remember when the coronavirus hit? Let’s take a fun trip down memory lane and revisit some of the weirdest fashion trends from the past—plus a few strange ones making waves today. These trends had us scratching our heads, wondering how they ever became mainstream. And honestly, maybe we’re lucky they didn’t make a comeback. But who knows? Once we all emerge from isolation, these bizarre styles might just return to haunt us!
Here’s a roundup of the 10 weirdest fashion trends that still baffle us today:
1. Car Mat Skirts
Fashion took a strange turn when Balenciaga introduced car mat skirts. Yes, you read that correctly—skirts made out of actual car mats. Balenciaga is no stranger to pushing the boundaries of fashion, and this odd trend was certainly one of their most perplexing. The skirt had a rough texture, utilitarian look, and metallic detailing that looked like something you’d find under the floorboard of your car—not on the runway. If you thought sock trainers were the most controversial thing to come from this brand, think again. A car mat as a fashion statement is as perplexing as it sounds, and it left many questioning whether this was a high fashion statement or a joke.
2. ‘Dripping’ Tights
These tights were designed to look like they had been splattered or “dripped” with paint, creating a messy yet intentional look. The idea behind “dripping” tights was to give the illusion of wear and tear, as though the tights had been through an artistic mess. While it could be seen as a DIY opportunity (without the need for paint overalls), the idea of wearing something that looked like it had melted or been drenched in something sticky never quite made sense. The trend quickly caught on with certain fashion-forward influencers but faded out just as fast as it arrived. Some may argue it was an avant-garde take on hosiery, while others saw it as a fashion faux pas.
3. Jeans with Clear Patches
Distressed denim was once the epitome of “cool,” but it was taken to a whole new level with clear plastic patches inserted into the holes. We’re still trying to figure out why anyone thought transparent plastic should replace classic denim tears. The concept was a baffling one: jeans with clear plastic to show what was underneath yet still preserving the torn and distressed look. It wasn’t exactly practical—rain or sweat could easily make these jeans look awkward—but they tried to push the envelope of denim design. Sadly, the plastic-patched jeans did little for the fabric’s breathability and left many wondering why they were even a thing in the first place.
4. Plastic Jeans
Speaking of questionable denim choices, let’s talk about plastic jeans. A bizarre trend that seemed to emerge from nowhere, these shiny, waterproof-looking pants didn’t seem to have much practical purpose other than sheer novelty. They were essentially the evolution of plastic pants—think shiny, latex-like fabric that clung to your legs, trapping every ounce of sweat. While they may have been marketed as waterproof, their lack of flexibility made them a poor choice for comfort or style. When people started investing in these plasticky, clingy pants, we began to wonder if there was a secret “waterproof” fashion army we didn’t know about. Thankfully, they disappeared just as quickly as they arrived.
5. Denim Over-the-Knee Boots
What do you do when you want to match your boots with your jeans seamlessly? You invent denim over-the-knee boots, of course! These boots combined two pieces of clothing into one awkward garment: long boots made entirely of denim, paired with a high-fashion design that resembled a hybrid of a legging and boot combination. While functional for colder weather, they were far from stylish. The denim made them look out of place in both casual and formal settings, and their odd appearance caused them to become a fleeting trend, with only the most daring fashion enthusiasts giving them a go.
6. Denim Boots with Pockets
As if denim over-the-knee boots weren’t enough, someone decided to add pockets to them. But what were we supposed to store in these strange boot pockets? Phones, keys, and credit cards? Some fashion gurus claimed they were meant to provide extra storage, but this functional approach quickly turned impractical and bizarre. Imagine walking around with a bulging denim pocket on your boots—people might have thought you were trying to smuggle something! Though the idea was strange, the demand for these quirky boots surprisingly grew, with some seeing them as a novelty and others merely shaking their heads in disbelief.
7. Double Jeans
Double denim might be a hit for some, but double jeans? That’s an entirely different level of confusion. Natasha Zinko introduced a design that combined high-waisted and low-rise jeans into one. The result was an awkwardly layered look that featured two sets of jeans attached together—one that sat at the natural waistline and another that hung lower on the hips. The bizarre design was supposed to offer the illusion of wearing two different jeans at once, but instead, it just ended up looking like someone was trying to wear two mismatched pairs of jeans. Shockingly, the design sold out in days, with some fashionistas embracing it as a “must-have” for their wardrobes. But for the rest of us, we’re sticking to single-waisted jeans for the time being.
8. Cage Skirts and Trousers
While we’re all for voluminous silhouettes, cage skirts and cage trousers took things too far. These garments featured rigid structures resembling cages that surrounded the body, creating a stiff, almost theatrical look. The cages were made of fabric or even metal elements and often exaggerated the natural silhouette, making it appear wider and more dramatic. While some saw this as an artistic take on fashion, others were left wondering how they could ever wear such cumbersome and restrictive garments. The trend fizzled out quickly, but for a brief moment, cage-inspired fashion had its place in the avant-garde world.
9. Mud-Splattered Denim
In 2017, Barracuda debuted mud-splattered jeans, and the idea was as bizarre as it sounds. These jeans looked as though they had just been through a muddy obstacle course—and people were willing to pay hundreds for them. The trend was marketed as “distressed” denim, but rather than looking naturally worn, the jeans appeared as though they had been intentionally dirtied. It didn’t take long for people to realize that paying for jeans that looked like they’d been through a mud run wasn’t exactly the best investment, and the trend quickly disappeared. Who needs to pay for mud-splattered denim when you can get the same look just by wearing them in the great outdoors?
10. The Return of the Fanny Pack
Once a fashion faux pas, the fanny pack made a comeback with a vengeance. This tiny pouch, once relegated to tourist status, somehow became a streetwear accessory, worn over the shoulder or across the chest. At first, it seemed like a practical choice for keeping essentials handy without the need for a bulky handbag, but soon, the fanny pack became more about style than utility. Celebrities and fashion influencers embraced the trend, leading to a fanny pack renaissance. However, for many, it’s still hard to get over the image of dad’s old vacation accessory turning into a “high fashion” staple.
Fashion trends come and go, but some will remain etched in history as baffling examples of creativity—or perhaps just eccentricity. Whether it’s plastic jeans or denim boots with pockets, these trends leave us asking, “Why?” Thankfully, these oddities have mostly faded from the limelight, but who knows—fashion is always changing, and what’s weird today might be the next big thing tomorrow. But for now, we’ll just look back and laugh at these strange trends, hoping they stay in the past where they belong.
