Fashion is a blend of creativity and self-expression, sometimes with a sprinkle of absurdity. There have been moments throughout history when strange fashion trends made us physically gasp in disbelief. From the almost 2 feet high powdered wigs to skirts so tight you waddled, we sure have seen them all.
Although these fashion trends swept society during their time, we can all agree that they are right where they belong: in the annals of our dark, dark history. So, let’s look at 5 of the strangest fashion trends that are a testament to human creativity—and, let’s be honest, a little bit of madness!
1. Powdered Wigs: The OG Bad Hair Day
During the 17th and 18th centuries, powdered wigs were all the rage among European aristocrats and wealthy common folk. These wigs were not just fashion statements but also a symbol of wealth and power. But that’s just the version the wealthy used to make themselves feel better.
Actually, these powdered wigs were used differently. They were often worn to mask baldness from syphilis or to alleviate the wrath of lice. Ha! Who would have thought? These nasty—I mean powdered wigs certainly made a statement. Imagine trying to have a serious conversation while showering your friend in a cloud of powder—talk about a fashion faux pas!
2. Hobble Skirts: A Wardrobe That Walks You Into Trouble
If you thought skinny jeans were tight, wait till you get a hold of a hobble skirt. Those things would give skinny jeans a run for their money. Hobble skirts were first popularized in the early 20th century and were designed to be so narrow at the hem that walking a straight line felt like running through an obstacle course with fire under your feet.
Ah yes, nothing says “empowerment” quite like having to waddle like a penguin masked as an English woman.
3. Crinolines: When More Was Truly Less
Picture fun-sized tents meet woman; that’s precisely what crinolines looked like. These voluminous petticoats were popular in the 19th century and used to create a bodacious silhouette because why not? With these enormous skirts, women could take up a lot of space, especially in doorways and narrow stairs. Oh! Give me five more minutes. I’m almost through the door! Even a gust of wind could turn such fashionable ladies into human parachutes. Thankfully, they fizzled out, and designers opted for a less parachute with a more body-size flair. However, some styles these days are still questionable.
4. Elizabethan Ruffs: A Neckwear Investment
The ruff was very popular during the late 16th and 17th centuries; why? I absolutely do not know. What inspired a designer to make people look like adorned ostriches? It’s one thing to design and another for people to make it popular. These circular frills were used to ascribe wealth, class, and probably a serious commitment to laundry day. Can you imagine how much work it took to ensure those frills were well-starched and straightened? Gosh, the doctors probably had a lot of patients with neck pain. There’s a reason we’re sticking to regular collars these days!
5. Bouffant Hair: Bigger Is Definitely Not Better
Yep! We got another hair spotlight. Is fashion really fashion, if your hair doesn’t match the vibe? Well, bouffants surpassed the vibe because they were the larger-than-lifestyle hairstyle that was very popular in the 1960s—think “beehive meets cloud.” The sheer height of these hairstyles would make you do a double take. But I’ll be honest, not all bouffant hairstyles were outrageous; some looked good and weren’t so outlandish. Recently, we have seen a little resurfacing of bouffant hair across fashion stages. Could this be a resurgence or just a passing fantasy? We’ll see on TikTok!
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