From baggy jeans to baguette bags, many of today’s fashion trends are blasts from the past. In the digital age, social media and online shopping platforms have cemented fashion trend revivals as commonplace, further blurring the lines between past and present as trends continue to cycle in and out of vogue. Today, young people everywhere embrace retro trends as their own, putting their own creative spin on their revival– and Hagerty students are no exception.
The campus courtyard is a fashion time capsule, with students sporting trendy items such as Mini UGG boots, baby tees, baggy jeans, layered tees, and chunky sneakers– and though these campus staples seem current, we’ve seen them all before.
Mini UGG Boots
Despite the Florida heat, UGG boots are everywhere on campus; the iconic sheepskin boots are known for their warmth and versatility. In the early 2000s, celebrities such as Jessica Alba and
Lindsay Lohan pioneered the trend, making UGGs a staple– regardless of weather or occasion. Today, both the miniature platform and slipper editions of the shoe have made a comeback, often being paired with leggings, yoga pants, oversized crewnecks or camouflage print hoodies.
“My favorite trend that’s recently come back is definitely UGGs. I think they’re the most popular retro trend on campus,” said sophomore Isabeau Benoit.
Sagging Pants/Baggy Jeans
Baggy and sagging pants originated from the ‘90s hip-hop scene, and recently, Hagerty has seen their return. Though the style never fully went away, it experienced a dramatic increase in popularity after the downfall of skinny jeans in 2020. Jean shorts, joggers and overalls are just a few popular styles that have been ushered into mainstream fashion discussion with the resurgence of oversized pants.
Especially popular among the guys on campus, hip-hop’s cultural wave is felt across the school every time someone picks up their pants to stop them from dragging on the floor.
“Baggy pants are obviously my favorite [retro trend],” said senior Neo Palamos.
In current fashion, baggy jeans are styled with form fitting tops and chunky sneakers for a more polished look, or oversized hoodies and statement jewelry for a more vintage look.
“In my opinion, sag is one of the most popular trends on campus,” said Albury.
Baby Tees
Another one of Hagerty’s favorite Y2K trends, baby tees, has been back in vogue for quite some time now. The tiny tees mimic children’s t-shirts and typically fit tight and cropped. In the 2000s, fashion icons such as Britney Spears paired the tees with low rise jeans and cardigans. Today, many style baby tees the same way, in true Y2K fashion, but others opt for looser fitting pants to create a more varied silhouette.
Though baby tees are often recognized as distinctly Y2K, the trend roots back to the ‘90s, when stylist Linda Meltzer began selling the shrunken down versions of shirts we now recognize as baby tees.
The baby tee trend fits in seamlessly with Gen-Z’s infatuation with cropped styles and small tops. Among tube tops, babydoll tops, and halter tops, baby tees are a go-to for those looking for a comfortable yet put-together outfit.
“My favorite [type of] trend is anything Y2K. I love it all,” said senior Renee Eichenberg.
Form-Fitting Long Sleeves
Another trend back from the 2000s is form fitting long sleeve tops, and their off-the-shoulder variations. The tight tops are styled in neutrals and vibrant shades alike– though the former is more popular today. Now, the shirts are virtually the same as they were 25 years ago. The distinctive ribbed fabric, low neckline and cropped fit are what make these tops stand out in the fashion world. In the past, they were styled with low-rise jeans and open toe heels, but on campus, students often pair them with sweatpants or straight legged jeans.
Tight long sleeves were popularized by icons such as Mean Girls’ Regina George and Chirstina Aguilera, and the trend has resurged in popularity due to its versatility and its flattering fit on many body types.
Over the Ear Headphones
Despite wireless earbuds’ continued popularity, many students on campus still prefer over the ear headphones. In addition to improved audio quality, many opt for the bulkier option for the aesthetic. At Hagerty, many students use over-ears as a finishing touch for their outfits, popular brands including Beats by Dre, Bose, and Apple.
Though Hip-Hop culture isn’t the only music-based subculture that influenced this fashion trend, it is a prominent influence. Hip-hop artists such as Eminem and Kanye West are frequently spotted sporting the style.
As music streaming continues to become more and more accessible, this trend will also continue to grow, as it also provides a convenient way to quickly drown out the noise.
Oversized Long Sleeve/Short Sleeve Layering
Though this combo has been around for ages and has its origins in ’80s skater and punk culture, the oversized long sleeve/short sleeve combination is undeniably ’90s hip-hop. Its origins coincide with the overall themes of baggy and overstated silhouettes in the hip-hop scene.
Jerseys, polos and graphic tees are all popular picks when layering oversized clothes. Though this style is not as popular on campus because of the Florida heat, these past few months students have been able to experiment stylistically due to the cold weather, leading to a sudden surge in popularity for this particular trend.
“One of my favorite trends is definitely polos [with] undershirts, [but also] cropped flannels. I take a lot of fashion inspiration from Allen Iverson,” said Abdi.
Though this is just a small snapshot of the diverse fashion culture on campus, it’s evident that retro trends play a large role in what students consider fashionable today. From the stairwells to the lunch line, past trends follow students everywhere as they make them their own– and as time goes on, retro trends will continue to find their way into the student body’s fashion time capsule.
