If you’re anything like me, you’ve stopped mid-scroll to wonder, “Since when are those back in style?”
Most of the time, it’s associated with a healthy dose of judgment. Like, are we serious? Navy and black? Platform Crocs?
But lately, my usual judgmental thoughts seem to be silenced. It’s looking like the typical black-shirt-and-blue-jeans combo is out, and chic is in. My Pinterest feed seems determined to convince me the new fashion standard can be found in the back of Grandma’s closet.
From capris to polka dots and kitten heels, Gen Z’s minimalist style seems to be replaced by a dose of ‘50s charm.
And the strange part? Everyone seems to be loving it– myself included.
PLEASE, NO POODLE SKIRTS
From Sabrina Carpenter’s iconic capris in her “Taste” music video to JoJo Siwa’s interesting cover of “Bette Davis’s Eyes”, could celebrities be credited for the sudden ‘50s vibe Gen Z is embracing?
Polka dots, famously featured in Christian Dior’s first haute couture line, became an instant ‘50s fashion staple. Although the print had been around for more than 200 years, Dior revolutionized it for the 50s generation. Its association with freedom, femininity, and post-war joy helped make the pattern popular among both men and women.
Mirza, Haute Couture Spring-Summer 1951, Naturelle line | La Galerie Dior
Fast forward to now, Gen Z is bringing polka dots back BIG, but we’re not wearing them the same way Grandma did.
THE EPIDEMIC OF POLKA DOTS
Until recently, polka dots were kind of like that thing you never really cared for but always knew was there. They were around, sure, but were rarely anyone’s first choice of print.
So, who made them as mainstream as they are now?
That credit may be owed to the one, the only, Hailey Bieber. Bieber has been spotted (no pun intended) in polka-dotted capris, dresses, and even her revolutionary polka-dot chrome nails. Bieber’s IT-girl status has associated her with the revival of all things polka dot. As the founder of Rhode beauty, Bieber’s approval holds weight in our world of celebrity-focused consumerism. Her polka dot obsession may have been key in the ultimate revival in Gen Z fashion culture.
Even though the print is back in style, there are some key styling differences between how it was worn in the ‘50s versus today.
Polka dots today have no limits. Walk into your local Hollister and try to find something without polka dots. Take it from a Hollister employee: You can’t.
Printed onto tops, jackets, jeans, capris, leggings, sweatpants— you name it, we have it.
STYLE IS NEVER- ENDING
Whether it’s bell bottoms from the 70s, baby tees from the early aughts, or polka dots from the ‘50s, it’s no secret that style recycles itself every few years. Trends may disappear and go out of style, but everything comes back eventually. From scrunchies
to Uggs, it feels like if you blink once, what you know that’s in is out, and what’s out is in (I mean really, Mary Jane Uggs?)
From the versatility of capris to the classiness of kitten heels, these timeless pieces are back, and seemingly here to stay.
Personally, I think I’ll try
I think I’ll take a deep dive into grandma’s closet after all. Just don’t ask me to come out in a poodle skirt, OK?