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Millennials are a generation known for remixing everything from music to fashion. It’s been said that “everything old is new again,” and there are definitely several vintage trends that millennials have taken and made their own. You can often find them browsing second-hand stores and consignment shops, as well as sites like eBay and Etsy to find these gems. Or they might simply choose to raid your closet!
Bohemian Flair (And Social Consciousness)
Millennial women have brought back the heady flower-child days of the 60s with bohemian style dresses. The key aspects that define this look are dramatic and flowing silhouettes, often in patterns such as paisley. Flared bell bottom jeans have become popular as well—you wouldn’t be out of place at Woodstock! Both genders have also come to embrace shoes that were previously thought of as “uncool,” such as Birkenstocks.
The hippie quest for spiritual enlightenment can be spotted in trendy patterns, prints, and even jewelry. Think dream catchers, the Hamsa hand, and the symbol for “Om.” Don’t forget the flower crown and long, loose curls to complete the look.
As a generation that is “woke” and embraces societal change, millennials also embody the free-spirit mindset that defined the 60s. Shirts that proclaim feminist and black power slogans are all the rage. Brand identity is also a key element here, as millennials like knowing where their clothes come from!
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“Dad” Fashion
If you thought high-waisted jeans and dorky, thick-soled white sneakers were over, think again. Millennials have extended their nostalgia for the 90s into their wardrobes. Forget painted-on denim, the new (old) style has a looser and more comfortable fit. The wash of these jeans is much more faded as well. Even celebrities are getting in on this trend: you’ll see “dad” jeans on everyone from President Obama to George Clooney.
Yet “dad” fashion isn’t just limited to guys. Women have found ways to claim it for themselves with baggy, oversized shirts as the norm. You remember Seinfeld, right? Well, Elaine Benes has now become a fashion icon. Her aesthetic of floral print dresses mixed with heavier boots and leather jackets defines urban chic for a new generation of females.
Old Hollywood
Millennials are clearly longing for an era of classic sophistication. It’s no secret why, given their struggles with rising rent costs and low employment rates. Why not try and create an escape by injecting a little glamor into your life? Women tend to gravitate towards Grace Kelly as a fashion icon, with long, empire-waist dresses and crimped hair. They also favor jackets and tops in traditional cuts that have been re-imagined in shades of so-called “millennial pink” that has also been called “Tumblr pink.” the color is notoriously difficult to describe, but can be thought of as a kind of rosy, coral-tinged salmon pink that’s been splashed across many an Instagram feed.
Meanwhile, millennial men are taking style cues from James Dean, with simple white t-shirts tucked into a pair of jeans. However, that’s not the only influence: suits worthy of a movie premiere are making a big comeback, too. That may be surprising, given that dressing up is less common for the workplace, but lifestyle blogs insist that it’s just another way to exercise creativity. Critically acclaimed shows such as Mad Men are a big influence, too.
You might be tempted to call them “hipsters,” but millennials are quick to reject that label. Instead, they call themselves advocates for a simpler, more connected time. This extends to fashion, where yearning for bygone eras reigns supreme.