Past decades have tremendous influence on fashion today. This spring, clothing creators took a step back in time to bring a revamped style to the store racks.
The 1940s and '50s are prevalent to this upcoming season with romantic ruffles and fabrics. Sheer, silk and lace fabrics in classic black, white or cream are used to create a flowing, tender-looking style.
"Everything, blouses to dresses, is tailored to fit and accent the silhouette," said Heather Arruda, a visual merchandiser at Nordstrom. "Match with necklaces with pendants or lockets."
The fashion of the '60s is having the strongest influence on current store shelves and magazine covers.
Unlike the understated fashion of the '40s and '50s, in the 1960s fashion world, everything was oversized. From big buttons and shoulder bags, to wide leg pants, flared dresses and jackets, gigantic fashion statements were made.
The exception to this "bigger equals better" rule is certainly the mod dresses and miniskirts of the '60s, which are exploding on the runways and store shelves.
Walking through a mall or flipping through a fashion magazine, it is difficult to not take notice of the fact that dresses are the must wear items for spring.
"Dresses are everywhere. Mod style dresses and teeny, short dresses is definitely the biggest trend right now," Arruda said.
"Trapeze" style or "swing" dresses and jackets are also '60s-inspired. They are making a colossal comeback this year with cut flares from the bust and hits above the knees, pair with black hosiery and platform heels to complete the look.
The '70s most dominant staple creating a rage this spring is the sky high platform wedge or heel. This item works with wide leg pants, shorts or dresses. For a daring twist, pair open-toed platforms with black hose.
"Platform, chunky heels are huge. Anything with a big wedge or heel and a peep toe," Arruda said.
The bright colors and wild fabrics of the '80s are most likely the center of jokes when discussing the intensely loud and edgy decade.
According to ELLE magazine, experimenting with fluorescent hues, while layering with punk-hardware accessories, achieves this look. Metallics and funky, neon-colored fabrics create a psychedelic statement that is rocking the spring fashion spreads.
Bright, plastic jewelry is also '80s-inspired, however, it doesn't compliment the aforementioned clothing. Don't overdo this trend with too much of a good thing, stick to either dramatically colored clothing or jewelry.
The teased perm has not made a comeback along with its '80s counterpart. The look should be completed with purposefully minimal makeup and hair.
"It's cool because pretty much with any trend for spring, you'll be able to spot a decade of the past,"Arruda said.
Caitlin Wirt can be reached at wirt.10@osu.edu.
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