Lost and Found: The Return of Forgotten Trends

From floral prints to baggy jeans, Bearcats all have their own way to express themselves through their clothing. Recently, these outfits have begun to showcase trends that were once popular, dating back to the 90s. 

Murillo sometimes wears denim on denim, which was a popular fashion statement through the 90s. She explained that her denim pieces are some of her favorites from her closet and that she’s loved denim from a young age.

Other major trends, shown throughout media and online appearances, that have also resurfaced include cargo pants, tracksuits, and even leopard print.

With the help of social media, these trends are able to come back because of the cyclical nature of fashion, as well as nostalgia playing a factor into the clothes that younger generations are buying.

To make a statement or set a tone for your outfit, it is often said that shoes can complete one’s look. Some shoes, which are making their comeback from around 30 years ago, are now starting to be seen in many students’ outfits. 

Chunkier sneakers, such as new balances, are starting to trend again and are often seen in “street wear” outfits because of their comfort and the bold looks they create. 

From 2021 to 2022, New Balances experienced a 200% trade growth, according to StockX. This perfectly represents the fact that, on average, it typically takes trends around 20-30 years to resurface. 

Another staple shoe from the 90s, Doc Martens, are also making their way back into the world of fashion as they are starting to be seen throughout student outfits, Murillo being one of them. 

“I love styling them with a denim skirt and white socks, I feel like it looks so cute,” Murillo said.

She also shared that she enjoys wearing these shoes because she sees them as something her mom would have worn when she was younger.

The resurgence of these shoes offer new ways for students to express and present themselves.

Apart from clothing and accessories, other elements from the 90s are still becoming relevant, one of the most prominent being digital cameras. To take photos with an airy, ethereal feel, which isn’t acquired from cell phone pictures with flash, digital cameras are used to capture a special moment.

Because of the nostalgic feeling, the amount of younger people who have a digital camera has gone up in the past few years. In 2024, a survey of 10,000 people done by Statista showed that 29% of 18-29 year olds own a digital camera.

Higuera described that she enjoys using her camera to take pictures of her friends, sunsets, and nature because “it really captures the moments and brings out the details in a picture”. She even prefers it over her phone camera because of the enhanced quality.