# Fashions You Wish Would Make a Comeback **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 17, 2003, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashions-you-wish-would-make-a-comeback/189137 "2003-07-17T14:07:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Kayeby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de0a6/32.png) [@Kayeby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kayeby)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashions-you-wish-would-make-a-comeback/189137/21 "2003-07-17T15:39:39Z")
The flapper look - bobs, cigarette holders, cloches and those fabulous dresses. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashions-you-wish-would-make-a-comeback/189137/22 "2003-07-17T15:40:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by plnnr \* > \*\*the toga \*\* Oh, yeah, it would be fun getting on the subway or the escalator in one of _those_ . . . > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Isabelle \* > \*\*The cowel neck. \*\* Oddly enough, I have developing one of those on my own. ---
**Author:** ![SwimmingRiddles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@SwimmingRiddles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SwimmingRiddles)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashions-you-wish-would-make-a-comeback/189137/23 "2003-07-17T15:47:50Z")
Cloche hats. The kind that have just the most delightful brim to shade your eyes on-so-subtly… And on a totally different era, 50s wear. Big, full skirts. Tight sweaters. Sexy and wholesome at the same time. And reatively comfortable. But none of that pointy-boob action. There’s just something so feminine about swishing into a room with a big, full, skirt. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashions-you-wish-would-make-a-comeback/189137/24 "2003-07-17T15:54:23Z")
When I was in college and grad school, c. 1978-1983, the “preppy look” was in. I’d like that to come back into style. Not that it was such a great look per se, but it beats the hell out of the current “skank ho” look. ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashions-you-wish-would-make-a-comeback/189137/25 "2003-07-17T15:56:37Z")
Whenever we start talking about reviving fashions from yesteryear, I can’t help but think of how much everyone must have stunk to high heaven. All that material, all that dirt, all that body odor, no AC, no dry cleaning. Cram 2,000 people together in a theater on an August night with no AC and dress them in layers of crinolines, long skirts, mutton sleeves, etc. etc. Put the men in long underwear, frock coats, and cravats that wrap around your neck four or five times. How…odiferous. Like I said, give me the toga. At least I can wash it on a rock if I have to. ---
**Author:** ![cher3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cher3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cher3)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashions-you-wish-would-make-a-comeback/189137/26 "2003-07-17T15:58:06Z")
Shirts of any kind that fall to the proper length. I have not grown significantly larger in the past 25 years, so why did my shirt size change from “M” to “XXL” all of a sudden? I have to go to a catalog to find traditional sizes. I think people who want their gut hanging out should have to go to a specialty store, not me. ---
**Author:** ![HotRail](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6bbea6/32.png) [@HotRail](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HotRail)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashions-you-wish-would-make-a-comeback/189137/27 "2003-07-17T17:05:40Z")
I’d love to see the front-tuck make a comeback. I have such fond memories of rocking the front-tuck during my early adolescent years. ---
**Author:** ![Wicked\_Blue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/2acd7d/32.png) [@Wicked\_Blue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wicked_Blue)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashions-you-wish-would-make-a-comeback/189137/28 "2003-07-17T17:36:00Z")
I’d like the old 1920s Coney Island bathing suits to come back. Long black pants, long sleeves and skirts. I’d never have to be embarrassed (or sunburned!) at the beach again. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ouisey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9fc29f/32.png) [@ouisey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouisey)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashions-you-wish-would-make-a-comeback/189137/29 "2003-07-17T18:11:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by UnwrittenNocturne \* > \*\ ***Happy Scrappy Hero Pup** Once again: try the goth scene, you will see a lot of those tights (and arm warmers to match) making their appearances. \*\* I wear arm warmers at work! They’re perfect for keeping my wrists and hands warm while leaving my fingers free to type. I like the stripey kind, but I also have a black knit pair with silver shot through. I love my arm warmers:) When it comes to clothes making a comeback, I love the Edwardian look, with the long skirts and blouses. Flattering to almost any woman. This is not exactly a fashion comeback, because I see several women wearing this outfit, but some of the Indian women (and I may be wrong in my nationality here) wear those loose pants that fit tight around the ankle with the long tunic and scarf…I think that looks so lovely and comfortable. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashions-you-wish-would-make-a-comeback/189137/30 "2003-07-17T18:12:31Z")
Another fedora wearer, though my daughter wears it more than I do because my wife doesn’t give HER shit when she wears it. On women I always liked gauzy peasant tops with no bra. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashions-you-wish-would-make-a-comeback/189137/31 "2003-07-17T18:30:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by BrotherCadfael \* > \*\*When I was in college and grad school, c. 1978-1983, the “preppy look” was in. I’d like that to come back into style. Not that it was such a great look per se, but it beats the hell out of the current “skank ho” look. \*\* Darling, the preppie look never went _out._ ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashions-you-wish-would-make-a-comeback/189137/32 "2003-07-17T18:32:46Z")
Out of the mainstream. I agree that it is still in among preppies, but at the time, it was pretty much across the board. ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashions-you-wish-would-make-a-comeback/189137/33 "2003-07-17T18:39:48Z")
Oooh, I love this thread! I think it is such a shame we cannot wear flamboyant or really beautiful or elaborate clothes under normal circumstances these days. If it was possible to wear them and still look professional, elegant and businesslike, I would be SO happy to wear hats. My BF occasionally tests if my Hat-HeadTM has not lost its touch, by tilting the saucepan on my head. And yes, even a saucepan looks good. Oh, and veils, corsets, hoops, trails, decollete’s, embroidery, luxury fabrics…the lot, from any historical period. If I could get away with wearing them, I would. Alas, I don’t. I dress like I’ve grown up. I wear dresses and skirts quite often, which seems to be unusual enough. What I would really like to come back (dream on, girl) is the Renaissance art of wearing beautiful jewellery (with or without veils and ribbons) in my hair or on my forehead. ---
**Author:** ![GrandfatherTrout](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f17d59/32.png) [@GrandfatherTrout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandfatherTrout)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashions-you-wish-would-make-a-comeback/189137/34 "2003-07-17T19:17:01Z")
Oh, another vote for men’s hats. Hell, women’s hats, too. I was hoping that _Down With Love_ would spark a revival, but no such luck. I suspect that not even the [Utilikilt](http://www.utilikilts.com) will be able to bring the kilt back into general use, but I don’t care. I wear mine all over the place anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Elemenopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b5e925/32.png) [@Elemenopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elemenopy)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashions-you-wish-would-make-a-comeback/189137/35 "2003-07-17T19:20:03Z")
I really dug the early 80’s haute couture styles. Dramatic hairstyles, lots of tweeds and suede, riding boots, even the safari look. It was very put together and classy. It was also the last time I remember hats and jewelry truly being fashion accessories outside of the very young and hip. There were some Victorian influences in that era as well. I also agree with **ouisey** on the loose tunics and trousers. Also done a bit in the early 80’s, IIRC. ---
**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashions-you-wish-would-make-a-comeback/189137/36 "2003-07-17T20:00:29Z")
Put me down as another vote for men’s hats. (Actually, black guys can get away with it, but not us whiteys – we get the undeserved socioeconomic benefits and the ability to walk through a room of cops without fear, they get the hats.) I have a fedora which I wear only when it rains, but it’s too conspicuous. What’s worse, although I’ve been looking for years I can never find a good porkpie because there’s no market for them. –Cliffy ---
**Author:** ![Mooney252](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7c8e57/32.png) [@Mooney252](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mooney252)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashions-you-wish-would-make-a-comeback/189137/37 "2003-07-17T20:20:30Z")
Saddle shoes. ---
**Author:** ![Rock\_Altoid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ccd318/32.png) [@Rock\_Altoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rock_Altoid)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashions-you-wish-would-make-a-comeback/189137/38 "2003-07-17T21:56:58Z")
I have been lucky enough to inherit a corset (a real one! Whalebone, canvas, stays, the whole shebang) from my late grandmother, and I make a point of wearing it when my figure benefits from it. Of course, my tastes run towards the old-fashioned. I snagged a Hat With Veil at a lovely vintage shop, I wear it with my hair twisted up in one of those lovely forties-style twists at the back of the head. Paired with an elegant black coat, I have gotten in the past some odd looks, but I think I look perfectly smashing and I have garnered many compliments on my ensemble. ---
**Author:** ![FisherQueen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/58f4c7/32.png) [@FisherQueen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FisherQueen)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashions-you-wish-would-make-a-comeback/189137/39 "2003-07-17T22:05:37Z")
Hats of all kinds. Cloaks and capes- so much warmer than coats, and everyone looks good in them. ---
**Author:** ![OxyMoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9a140/32.png) [@OxyMoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OxyMoron)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashions-you-wish-would-make-a-comeback/189137/40 "2003-07-17T22:30:23Z")
I am _very_ happy to stomp on the grave of hats, but that’s because when I wear one my…ermm, prominent…ears make me look like a sugar bowl. I did have one with somewhat broader brim that wasn’t too bad. But in general they frighten me. Now, I’d be in favor of skinny ties - always liked them. And for women, I was very happy to see the wrap dress come back in, although it may have already outlived its revival. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashions-you-wish-would-make-a-comeback/189137.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashions-you-wish-would-make-a-comeback/189137.md?page=3)