19 Fashion Trends That Were Everyday Wear Back Then
Everyday fashion through the ages reveals how style, identity, and culture collide—where once-bold statements like poodle skirts, zoot suits, and crinolines were just another Tuesday’s outfit.
- Alyana Aguja
- 5 min read
Fashion isn’t just about trends—it’s a living history of what people wore to work, dance, protest, and live their daily lives. Whether it was the over-the-top drama of the zoot suit or the homey appeal of dungarees, formerly avant-garde looks usually ended up becoming wardrobe staples that set entire generations apart. Looking back at these historical everyday clothes uncovers how apparel expresses the spirit, troubles, and tales of its era.
1. Poodle Skirts (USA, 1950s)
Image from Ebay PH
Multi-colored felt skirts with an appliqué of a poodle leashed and swept teen girls in postwar America off their feet. They wore them with closely fitted sweaters, bobby socks, and saddle shoes. The look radiated youth, fun, and jukebox dances.
2. Zoot Suits (USA, 1940s)
Image from Smithsonian Magazine
Zoot suits, worn primarily by African-American, Mexican-American, and Filipino-American males, had broad shoulders, wide-leg pants, and long jackets. They represented rebellion and cultural identity in the midst of wartime austerity. The flashy fashion even led to riots in Los Angeles in 1943.
3. Peasant Blouses (1970s, Global)
Image from Gingersnaps
Originally inspired by Eastern European folk wear, these loose, flowy blouses became a hippie staple. Often embroidered and paired with bell-bottoms or maxi skirts, they projected a carefree, earthy vibe. They were everyday wear for many who embraced bohemian and anti-mainstream ideals.
4. Oxford Bags (1920s, UK)
Image from Mother Rose
These loose-legged pants were first worn by Oxford University students who wished to defy prohibitions on knickerbockers. Some had hems as wide as 44 inches! The fashion swept through British youth and became a college fashion statement.
5. Hobble Skirts (1910s, Global)
Image from Reddit
These very narrow skirts limited women’s stride, thus the name. Made famous by designers such as Paul Poiret, they were an expression of a desire for exotic silhouettes and modernism. Women found themselves having to take small steps or even shuffle, all for the sake of fashion.
6. Doublets and Hose (16th Century, Europe)
Image fromCouture Mayah
A doublet was a close-fitting, waist-length coat, usually padded and richly ornamented, worn over a shirt. It was combined with hose, tight-fitting pants, or stockings that went down the legs. That combination was the everyday attire of upper-class men in the Renaissance.
7. Shoulder Pads (1980s, International)
Image from80s Heaven
From power suits to blazers, shoulder pads provided a structured, commanding profile that expressed strength. Worn by stars like Joan Collins and the cast of Dynasty, they were particularly well-liked for women’s corporate wear. It was about exerting authority in the corporate setting.
8. Dirndls (19th–20th Century, Germany & Austria)
Image fromHistorical Sewing
Originally a peasant garment from the Alps, dirndls have a fitted bodice, full skirt, and apron. They became everyday clothing for rural women and even developed into party fashion for Oktoberfest. They’re still used today, but they were once everyday country streetwear.
9. Dungarees (1970s, USA & UK)
Image from FatFace
Initially created as rugged working apparel, denim dungarees became an everyday fashion trend in the ’70s. Due to their functionality and comfort, they were embraced by both men and women. Worn over tees or turtlenecks, they became a common feature of the everyday street look.
10. Togas (Ancient Rome)
Image from Fashion History Timeline
Roman citizens wore togas as a mark of status and citizenship. They were made of a single piece of wool wrapped around the body and were more formal than practical. Nevertheless, for most Roman men, particularly senators and elites, this was the default public attire.
11. Breeches and Stockings (18th Century, Europe & Colonies)
Image from Wikipedia
Prior to the widespread adoption of pants, knee-length breeches, with long stockings, were a man’s daily attire. They were convenient for riding horseback and suitable for political forums. George Washington, for example, would never be seen without them.
12. Platform Shoes (1970s, Global)
Image from eBay.ph
Both men and women walked the streets in platform shoes—occasionally with heels several inches thick. First worn by glam rockers such as David Bowie, the fashion seeped into disco and mainstream life. They were loud, proud, and unapologetically bold.
13. Gibson Girl Blouses (1900s, USA)
Image from Folkwear Patterns
Drawn from illustrator Charles Dana Gibson’s “ideal woman,” these puff-sleeved, high-necked blouses represented feminine elegance. Paired with floor-length skirts, they characterized early 20th-century American women’s fashion. Every fashion-conscious woman owned one in her daily wear.
14. Windbreakers (1990s, Global)
Image from Wikipedia
Joggers and hip-hop enthusiasts favored these light nylon jackets with bold color blocks and zippers. Casual and sporty, they were paired with track pants or jeans. The ’90s turned them into icons, and they were essentially outerwear for the masses.
15. Bonnet Hats (19th Century, Western World)
Image from Wikipedia
Bonnets were a daily attire worn by women and girls for modesty, protection from the sun, and fashion. They were made of straw, silk, or cotton and fastened under the chin. They frequently adorned themselves with ribbons or flowers. For a farm outing or a city walk, they were an obligatory headpiece.
16. Boater Hats (Early 1900s, Western World)
Image from Kultura Filipino
Flat-brimmed and straw-made, these hats were a summer must-have for men in the Edwardian era. With a suit or blazer, they were donned while boating, having a picnic, or merely taking a walk about town. It was the baseball cap of the day—everyone wore it.
17. Jumpsuits (1940s–1950s, USA)
Image from Styleshops
First glamorized by women factory workers during WWII (Rosie the Riveter’s), jumpsuits were functional, one-piece suits. After WWII, they transformed into streamlined, fashionable pieces of clothing for women and men alike. They became perceived as trendy, easy, and somewhat space-age.
18. Crinolines (1850s, Europe & USA)
Image from Wikipedia
These rigid, cage-like underskirts served to bulk up women’s dresses into bell shapes. Though clunky by today’s standards, they were a part of everyday high fashion. It took skill to walk through a doorway, but elegance required it.
19. Flapper Dresses (1920s, USA & Europe)
Image from Flapper Boutique
With sloping waists, beading, and fringing, flapper dresses shattered all earlier fashion standards. Women flouted conventions, wearing them with short hair and performing the Charleston dance in jazz halls. What had begun as iconoclastic evolved into mainstream evening attire for the modern woman of the period.