Fashion has always been dramatic. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, history reminds you that humans have been doing wild things in the name of style for centuries.
Here are ten of the strangest fashion moments that once ruled the world: some iconic, some questionable, all entertaining.
- Powdered Wigs (1700s Europe)
Imagine wearing a whole wig that smelled like lavender, weighed like a baby goat, and still counted as fashion. People powdered their wigs white to show status and wealth. If you lived then, your wig probably had more volume than your bank account.
- Crinoline Hoops (1800s)
These were giant cage-like skirts so wide that women couldn’t fit through doors normally. Some crinolines were as wide as 1.8 metres. Fashion said “be dramatic,” and they obeyed.
- Lotus Shoes (Imperial China)
These were tiny shoes made for women who had gone through the painful practice of foot binding. It was seen as beautiful at the time, but it remains one of fashion’s strangest (and most extreme) trends.
- The “Macaroni” Men (1700s England)
These men wore extremely tall wigs, colourful outfits, and hats the size of small boats. Think of them as the original influencers; loud fashion, louder presence. Their flamboyant outfits were so exaggerated that ‘macaroni’ became slang for over-the-top fashion.
- Shoulder Pads (1980s)
Because nothing says confidence like shoulders wider than a refrigerator. Corporate power dressing went all in, and the world followed.
- Pre-dirty Jeans (2000s – Present)
Brands began selling jeans that already look torn, dusty, stained, or “factory-worn.” Basically, people started paying premium price for clothes that looked like they survived a sand storm.
- Hobble Skirts (1910s)
Skirts so tight around the ankles that women could barely walk. Fashion said “beauty is pain,” and this trend took it personally. Often promoted in early 1910s fashion magazines, showing women taking tiny restricted steps.
- Ruffled Collars (1600s Europe)
Also known as “ruffs.” These collars were so huge and stiff you had to eat with your arms outstretched like a robot. But hey, elegance over comfort.
- Baggy Hip-Hop Jeans (1990s)
Super oversized jeans that sat halfway down the hips. They were everywhere in music videos, and somehow, we all pretended they made sense.
- Corsets (Various eras)
Tight, breath-stealing waist shapers that created an hourglass figure, and sometimes fainting spells. Impressive silhouette, questionable comfort.
Bonus: Jeans with ‘Windows’
Remember the era of ripped jeans so extreme they looked like DIY ventilation?
Some of us are still recovering.
Why We Love These Trends
They remind us that fashion doesn’t always have to be serious. People experiment, exaggerate, and express themselves; and that’s part of the fun.
Your Turn
Which of these bizarre trends would you try for a day?
And which one would you absolutely never touch?
