Jelly Shoes
If memory serves, these squishy, see-through plastic shoes were the summer staple you loved,and your feet loathed. Jelly shoes, PVC-injected and bright, flooded the early ’80s fashion scene,cheap, cheerful, but blister-inducing. They looked like candy on your feet,neon, glittery, translucent,and sparked debates: trendy or torture?
Today, they’re back, worn by celebrities like Taylor Swift and Jennifer Lawrence, and embraced for nostalgic Y2K vibes. Critics still warn, “I can feel the blisters”, but many say the playful charm beats the pain. Jelly sandals have even reached fashion credibility via The Row and Mango. Slip them on again,for that gummy pop, color nostalgia, and unexpected comfort in bite-sized doses.
Puka Shell Necklaces
Summer memories: the salty breeze, the beach, and that string of natural or dyed Puka shells around your neck. Originally a ’70s surfer staple, these shell chip necklaces were worn everywhere by boys, girls, guys, girls alike. Etsy and eBay brim with vintage finds, of either the white, colored, graduated shells on barrel clasp strings. They felt summer-ready, earthy, and effortlessly beachy.
Today they’re back in boho and festival fashion, sometimes mixed with beads or turquoise. Wearing one now says you love coastal nostalgia and natural texture,and it’s a gentle reminder of foot-in-sand days. Whether you go with plain shells or chunky strands, they add laid-back warmth to any look, and you kind of miss that summertime simplicity.
Bell‑Bottoms
Ah, the iconic flared leg you once swore you’d never wear again, yet secretly miss. Back in the ’70s, bell‑bottoms defined a carefree, groovy spirit, especially among hippies and disco lovers. Picture the dance floor, feet hidden, hems brushing platform shoes as you boogied the night away. They were bold, roomy, and full of personality. But beyond the fun, bell‑bottoms were about making a statement. They rebelled against skinny silhouettes, offered playful flare, and today, they nod back to that same eclectic vibe. Style them now with chunky sneakers and a cropped jacket,or rock them retro‑disco with a satin blouse and platform heels.
Mood Rings
Flashback to the ’70s: colorful rings that changed hues with your mood,or at least your skin temperature. Invented in 1975 by Joshua Reynolds, mood rings became “one of the biggest fashion fads of the 1970s.” Blue meant calm, green meant hopeful, they were magical mood-readers you wore on your finger. Sure, they faded quickly (literally turned black after about two years), but they were fun, emotional conversation starters. If you wear one now, it’s a nostalgia bomb, quirky, personal, and an instant smile-maker. Vintage stores often have them, and they’re a cute accessory with a story.
Leg Warmers
Skip back into the ’80s and you’d find leg warmers everywhere, not just at the dance studio, but on sidewalks and school halls too. Either striped, neon, or fuzzy, they layered over tights or jeans, offering both warm comfort and a dash of glamour, adding texture and color when big hair and bold prints reigned. Today, they could spice up an athleisure look or peek out from boots in colder months. Cozy, chic, and secretly fun.
Members Only Jackets
You’ve felt it, the soft shoulder pads, the narrow fit, the branded logo you could barely see under your collar. Members Only jackets were your badge of urban cool in the early ’80s. Lightweight yet structured, they whispered exclusivity and sleek style. Part jacket, part status symbol, they featured epaulettes and zipped pockets. If brought back now, they’d drape well over tees and jeans, offering a tidy retro edge. Streetwear brands even nod to them, so why not slip into a vintage one and relive the vibe?
Huckapoo Shirts
Remember those silky, wild-patterned shirts you swore you’d never wear again, yet secretly miss? Huckapoo (often spelled Huk a Poo) shirts lit up the ’70s and ’80s with their loud abstract prints, bold color combos, and dreamy polyester sheen. They looked like wearable art, swirls, stripes, florals, worn open over a tee or buttoned with bell‑bottoms, they brought playful energy to any outfit.
Today, spotting one in a vintage shop feels like uncovering a hidden gem. They’re conversation starters,“did you really have one of those?”, and surprisingly easy to style now with neutral tones to balance their drama. Nostalgic fans say they’re back with streetwear, reimagined in TikTok throwback reels. So if you crave a tee that announces your personality, a Huckapoo revival might be the playful twist your wardrobe needs.
Velour Tracksuits
Soft, cozy, and slightly ridiculous, that’s the charm of ’80s velour tracksuits you promised yourself you’d never crave again. These plush two‑piece sets came in jewel tones and pastel hues, often with piping or big-brand logos, blending leisure and luxury. They felt like pajamas with purpose,great for lounging, running errands, or hitting the dancefloor if tracksuits could dance.
Despite their fluffy reputation, people loved them. A Reddit thread even reminisced, “Nothing quite like a 1980s velour tracksuit.” They were relaxing, nostalgic, and timeless. Now, athleisure trends echo her comfy vibe, and velour pops at festivals or cozy nights in. Pair with chunky sneakers or statement tee, and that once-mocked outfit becomes a fashion throwback with heart.
Suspenders for the Guys
Suspenders, once purely functional, took on swagger in the ’70s and ’80s when worn low, loud, or loose. Teens let them dangle under baggy pants while punks even ripped and slung them for edgy rebellion. It wasn’t about holding trousers, they were brackets of identity. Hip-hop icons like Run DMC rocked them with tracksuits and chains, turning suspenders into urban style signals. Today, fashion lovers revive them in crisp shirts and dress pants,or let them hang as accessories. As one Redditor put it, “Suspenders can still be very fashionable as long as they are button‑in”. If you’re up for throwing them back into the mix, they hint at bold attitude, vintage flair, and a stylish nod to identity.
Feathered Hair
Think back to flipping on the TV and seeing Farrah Fawcett’s iconic, sun-kissed layers, then sighing, “I’ll never try that.” But deep down, you missed those sweeping, airy waves. Created in 1974 by hairstylist Allan Edwards, the cut used lots of layering and volume to frame the face, inspiring millions to get the same look. Though the salon mousse and hairspray routines were wild, women felt empowered walking out with feathered tresses,beachy, breezy, and full of spirit.
Today, that layered feathering is back in modern salons and TikTok routines. “People did not achieve that look… most people ended up with two banana curls on each side” reminisced one Redditor about attempting the style. But now, stylists tweak the layers for a softer, more wearable finish. If you’re craving that nostalgic bounce, ask for feathered framing ,it’s airy, fresh, and nostalgic without going full ’70s volume.
Crop Tops & Mesh Shirts on Guys
Yes, it really happened, guys in crop tops and see-through mesh shirts strutted clubs and courts in the ’80s. Reddit recalls how sweaty gym classes would end in mesh tops so drenched they clung to skin,“ one team would wear the mesh tops without an undershirt because the mesh ones were soaked in sweat.” Punks and club kids used them to rebel, flaunting midriffs and confidence in open weave fabric.
These days, crop tops for men are cropping up again, thanks to fashion influencers and K-pop icons from TXT to Seventeen. They’re not just for the runway anymore; anyone can pair a neat mesh tee with high-waist trousers or layer over a tank. It’s playful, gender-fluid, and a bold blast from the past that quietly challenges norms, and maybe it’s time to rediscover that cheeky look.
Shiny Disco Shirts
Remember those gleaming, silky shirts you swore you’d never revisit, yet your heart secretly cheers at their return? Huckapoo disco shirts in every imaginable color, the vibrant polyesters and satiny sheens that lit up dancefloors in the ’70s, spark nostalgia with every reflect of light. These shirts commanded attention, promising energy and flair before you even stepped into a room. Now, as vintage-party playlists echo back and TikTok props, their rediscovery feels like finding a disco treasure.
Patchwork Jeans
Remember spotting those mismatched denim square jeans and thinking, “It’s chaos on fabric!” Yet something about that artsy jumble hit home. Patchwork jeans, born in the late ’70s and roaring through the ’80s,m ixed denim scraps into quilt-like legwear, each pair a personal collage. They were loud, colorful, and full of character: stone-washed panels next to dark indigo, or acid-wash patches patched with floral prints or rhinestone trims. Far from refined fashion, they screamed individuality, each rip, stitch, and hue told a story of self-expression.
Nowadays, you find them in vintage stores or even on high-end celebrities like Katie Holmes rocking Kapital patchwork jeans worth $2,370 on Broadway’s sidewalks. Designers like Céline Dion’s early style or Ksenia Schnaider, who turn secondhand denim into demi-denims, are bringing that patchwork vibe back. These jeans pair beautifully with simple tees, chunky boots, or even a tailored blazer to balance the playful texture.
Wide Belts
Let’s wrap it up with a flourish, literally. Wide belts that cinched oversized sweaters, dresses, and jackets in the ’70s and ’80s were unapologetic waist statements. Some were fringed leather, others thick elastic with bold buckles or exotic patterns. They balanced big silhouettes, hugging your waist and shouting, “We’ve got structure here!” This accessory wasn’t just functional, it was theatrical.
Today, the cinched waist trend has returned in a refined whisper: wide belts looped over cardigans, trench coats, and flowing dresses offer that dramatic hourglass lift without shouting retro. Pair one with an oversized blazer and straight jeans, or add it to a cozy sweater dress and boots, it turns a simple outfit into something editorial. As we close this list, the revival feels gentle but certain, like rediscovering an old friend.
This story ’70s and ’80s Fashion Fads You Swore You’d Never Wear Again, but Secretly Miss was first published on Daily FETCH
