From chunky trainers to cat-eye sunglasses, midi-skirts to crocs, style and fashion during the 2010s was defined by particular trends that took over the fashion scene. The fashion scene also became more accessible due to the rise of social media and a new, (and well deserved), appreciation for diversity and sustainability rocked the fashion world. Here, we identify the A-Zs of trends that defined the 2010s.
A – Athleisure
Athleisure allowed the fashion world to turn performance wear to everyday outfits. Athleisure allowed us to blur the lines between what we would wear to the gym and what is a fashion statement. So, whether or not you were actually working out or just going to your 9am lecture, the athleisure trend allowed us to be both comfy and trend setting.
B – Balayage
Balayage first became a thing during the 1970s but the 2010s saw a revival of this hair trend. We saw balayage all over the magazine, on the runways and every celebrity, including Chrissy Teigen, Alexa Chung and Rihanna rocked this style successfully during the decade.
C – Crop Tops
Everyone’s belly button was out during the 2010s because the crop top trend was one of the defining trends of the decade. Celebrities like Miley Cyrus, Vanessa Hudgens and Zendaya were all rocking this trend. The crop top was so popular that even some men jumped on the trend.
D – Diversity
The fashion industry and fashion in general is one of the few industries that has a part in every individual’s life, however, the fashion industry has not always reflected this. Diversity and inclusion is a ‘trend’ that’s taking the industry by force. Minorities are no longer staying quiet, but are instead speaking up during cases on exclusion and cultural appropriation. I put ‘trend’ in quotes because diversity in fashion shouldn’t be a trend, it should be a normality.
E – E-Girls
Okay, this is a trend that defined the latter half of 2019 but we can’t deny its impact, especially with the rise of TikTok. With the further rise of this platform, the ‘E-Girl’ style would definitely start to invade more of the fashion industry.
F – Flower Crowns
Flower crowns and festival fashion defined the mid and late 2010s and not just during festival season. The flower crown was a refreshing accessory that allowed the fashion industry to explore its more feminine side.
G – Gender Fluidity
The preconceptions regarding gender changed drastically during this decade and this is a change that’s more than welcomed. Fashion took note of this trend and gender-fluidity regarding what to wear and how to wear it became prominent. Billy Porter and Ezra Miller were just some celebrities who were gender-fluid and bold with their fashion choices.
H – High Waist Everything
Move over low-rise because high-waist basically took over the 2010s. Whether it be jeans, skirts or even shorts, the flattering high waist trend was and is a trend that defined the decade.
I – Influencer Mania
Fashion was once a very closeted world. Only ‘It Girls’ and celebrities could be involved in the discussions. However, during the 2010s, we saw a rise of influencers and bloggers who basically opened up the fashion industry to the ‘girl next door’. These everyday individuals who decided to take a seat at the fashion table made fashion more accessible, despite all controversy influencers always seem to find themselves in.
J – Jeans (Mom)
Who knew that the skinny jean would quickly go out of fashion. The late 2010s saw a rise of the Mom jean. Before this revival, mom jeans were seen as a thing of the past but with the revival of 90s fashion during this past decade, the mom jean made a comeback along with fanny packs, scrunchies and the ‘dad trainers’.
K – Kardashian Fever
Ever since ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians’ debuted on E! in 2007, Kardashian fever literally rocked the world and we haven’t stopped hearing about the Kardashians/Jenners since then. Even the fashion industry has taken note of this since companies such as ‘Fashion Nova’ has been known to, on more than one occasion, make dupes of the outfits rocked by the Kardashian. I doubt the Kardashian/Jenner clan will be going anywhere in the 2020s.
L – Leggings
Speaking of athleisure, leggings were the defining athleisure trend of the 2010s. Leggings were a one-size-fits-all, laid-back approach to fashion but if you were looking for something more structured, the jeggings were the trend for you.
M – Man Buns
Remember when ASOS came out with clip on man buns? Yes, that’s how big this trend got during the 2010s. Celebrities like Jared Leto and Avan Jogia rocked this trend and some people even went to the extent of giving their pets ‘man-buns’.
N – No Fur
Fur, more like the lack of fur was another trend of the 2010s. As the ethics of the fashion became a more prominent issue in the industry, the use of fur took centre stage. So many brand and design houses banned the use of fur and this is a definite step in the right direction.
O – Onesies
Walk into Penneys during the mid-2010s and all you would have probably seen on the racks were adult onesies. The adult onesie was so popular that some people even decided to wear it outside of their homes, me included. There was just something about looking like an adult baby that was so popular. To be honest, I’d be happy if we brought onesies back.
P – Pink (Millennial)
Millennial pink is not just a colour, but a lifestyle. The upper half of The Grand Budapest Hotel, the Gallery at Sketch in London, Drake’s Hotline Bling cover art and almost every single piece of clothing during 2017 was adorned by millennial pink. No one knows where this colour came from but we can all appreciate how much of an impact it had during the late 2010s.
Q – Quiffs
Quiffs were the hair trend that defined the decade, during the early 2010s especially. Not only did men rock this trend, so did the women including Nicole Scherzinger, Diana Agron and Sienna Miller. I guess everyone just wanted to be a couple of inches taller?
R – Ripped Jeans
I’m sure your grandparents have something to say about this trend but the 2010s saw a rise in distressed fashion. Meghan Markle made a splash when she wore a pair of ripped jeans to her first official public outing with Prince Harry. Not only were ripped jeans a defining trend of the decade, the distressed trend also evolved to other items of clothing. Just have a look at any of Kanye West’s Yeezy collections.
S – Sustainability
Sustainability is one of the main trends that rocked the fashion world during the 2010s. With the fashion industry being one of the biggest contributors to the pollution epidemic, the move towards sustainability is a welcomed one and hopefully this trend continues to the 2020s.
T – Tiny Sunglasses
Sunglasses are supposed to protect our eyes from the sun but the 2010s saw a redefinition of sunglasses with the rise of tiny sunglasses that do absolutely nothing to protect you.
U – Ugg Boots
Was it just me or did everyone and their uncles had some sort of Ugg boot in their closet during the early and mid 2010s. Well, love them or hate them, the Ugg boot made us feel cosy and warm and that’s something that’s welcomed in Ireland which is notorious for its temperamental weather.
V – Vintage Fashion
The rise of sustainability in fashion also came with it a rise in second-hand shopping. Before this, vintage clothing was seen as something just for the grandparents but with concern for the environment increases, more individuals decided to shop in their local thrift shop rather than go to the high street.
W – Wedge Sneakers
Love them or hate them, wedge sneakers were a trend we probably all fell victim to circa 2012 to 2014.
X – X-ray (Sheer)
Sheer clothing was a trend that took over the late 2010s, especially in 2018 when the likes of Calvin Klein, Burberry and Victoria Beckham adorned sheer on their runways.
Y – Yoga Pants
Yoga pants, another staple athleisure piece that defined the decade. Who doesn’t like comfort?
Z – Z, Gen Z
This isn’t a fashion trend per se but Gen Z will definitely have an influence on how fashion trends move forward for this new decade. The main priorities of a lot of Gen Z shoppers now include sustainability, diversity, inclusivity and ethical concerns. All of these themes will definitely have a strong impact on what direction the fashion industry will take during the 2020s.
And that’s it! A decade of fashion trends! I’m sure that there are some trends we would like to forget and some we would like to revive, but despite our personal opinions regarding these trends, I’m sure that we can all agree that the 2010s was a decade worth remembering.
