Trendy or Timeless? A Deep Dive into the History and Longevity of Today’s Fashion Trends
- McKaya Hall
- 1 hour ago
- 4 min read
Have you seen polka dots and ballet flats everywhere this year? Are you having a feeling of deja vu? That’s because they're timeless! Trendy or timeless? A question that's been asked for years, but is gaining even more attention now with fast fashion on the rise.
Let's start by clearly defining the words “trendy” and “timeless.” According to Oxford Languages, trendy means to be “very fashionable or up to date,” and timeless means “not affected by the passage of time or changes in fashion."
These definitions give us a clear base to start with, but how can we really tell if something is gonna stick around or be out in a week? Look at the past! See what’s been coming back into the zeitgeist over and over again — that'll give you your answer. Though I’ve developed an eye for distinguishing between trend-driven styles and timeless design, my reflections here stem from personal observation and independent research. Now that we’ve defined the terms, let's get to the fun part!
POLKA DOTS:
This year, polka dots have made a huge comeback — and I’m all for it! When it comes to patterns or fabrics, they’re a little easier to diversify as trendy or timeless because most patterns that we’ve seen since the 2000s (stripes, polka dots, houndstooth, floral, etc.) have made their mark already.
Polka dots gained popularity in the United States around the 1920s due to Norma Smallwood. Norma was the winner of Miss America in 1926, and she popularized the polka dot design due to her unique dress.
Moving a few decades forward, there was a huge spike in polka dots during the 1950s, becoming a symbol of fun and innocence. Many associate the rise with Hollywood stars from the era, such as Marilyn Monroe and Lucille Ball. Looking at the 2000s, we’ve seen polka dots hit center stage more than once — and I think they’re here to stay. I’m naming them timeless!
HAIR CLIPS:
A futuristic edge has emerged in fashion this past year, marked by silver styling clips. These hair clips are traditionally used for hair servicing purposes such as dying, cutting, treating, etc. Now we’ve seen them used as hair accessories — whether for the purpose of keeping hair out of your face or just because they’re cute. It works either way!
We’ve seen these looks on the red carpet and here at Temple, too. Clearly, this trend is making headway. Hair accessories such as clips and barrettes are a low-commitment way to update a look because we don't have to change our whole style/ outfit to lean into the trend.
The style is usually achieved by stacking 2–5 clips on each side of your head, holding hair behind the ears, using chrome or silver salon styling clips, or other designs such as stars.
The concept of hair accessories in general is timeless — but the current layering and metallic trend may date this specific look, making it trendy rather than timeless. Still, it’s a reminder that even fleeting trends can reinvent something classic, giving old accessories a new story to tell.
LOW RISE JEANS:
The 2000s called…they want their low-rise jeans back (and we want them too!). Low-rise jeans have made an epic comeback this decade. We saw this look commonly in the ‘90s and early 2000s, with many crediting designer Alexander McQueen, who showcased the ‘umster’ pants in 1996, described by critics as a style that sat extremely low on the hips.
Celebrities such as Britney Spears, Destiny’s Child, and Christina Aguilera ran the show in the 2000s, making low-rise jeans hot! Given the constant back-and-forth popularity of low-rise jeans, this style definitely falls under the trendy category. While they’ve resurfaced through Y2K nostalgia and fashion cycles, their appeal is more about aesthetic than longevity.
They’re not the most sustainable choice comfort-wise, and their popularity tends to fade once the next denim silhouette takes over. However, there’s an undeniable charm in their carefree, confident energy. When styled intentionally, low-rise jeans bring back that playful, rebellious edge that made early-2000s fashion so iconic.
Ballet Flats:
Cute, charming, and coquette, ballet flats are here for the long haul. We've seen flats everywhere lately — whether it’s ballet flats, tabis, or Mary Janes. Flats have a rich fashion history dating back to the 16th century, when both men and women wore flat slippers and court shoes. Following shortly into the 17th century, flats were known as dance shoes, hence the name ballet. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen athletic shoes cross over into fashion. Take Converse and Adidas Sambas, for example, both originally designed for basketball and soccer, have now evolved into everyday style staples worn far beyond the court or field.
In the ‘40s and ‘50s, ballet flats became fashion staples thanks to Brigitte Bardot and Audrey Hepburn. Bardot famously requested a wearable ballet-inspired shoe from Repetto, while Hepburn paired them with slim trousers and A-line skirts.
In the current era, ballet flats have been a fashion statement for a long time. Although not styled the same, we’ve seen different variations throughout the 2000s. The early 2000s focused more on plain flats, typically paired with skinny jeans. As the years progressed, we've seen a multitude of styles within flats come into fashion, such as the tabi and mary jane. You can get a pair of flats from Sketchers for comfort and breathability, or you can grab a pair of Miu Miu’s staple flats featured in their Fall 2022 show. Thanks to their history, versatility, and endless revivals, ballet flats remain timeless, a rare example of a piece that adapts to every era without ever feeling outdated.
We’ve encountered many trends within the past few years — some have stayed, and some have gone, but each has left its mark on how we express ourselves through fashion. What’s considered “in” is always shifting, yet the pieces that truly last are the ones that blend comfort, confidence, and individuality. While trends come and go, timeless style always finds its way back into the conversation. In the end, fashion is less about keeping up and more about discovering what feels authentically you.
Written by: McKaya Hall
Edited by: Lara Hagans
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