Top 9 Weirdest Fashion Trends in History

Are you ever curious as to how other generations would perceive our fashion trends today? Sure, we love our oversized sunglasses and fitted jeans, but what do you think our great, great, great grandmothers would think of head to toe denim or crop tops?

On the other hand, her historical trends weren’t so hot either. From foot binding to waist restriction, fashion moguls had their priorities backward.

In this post, we’re doing a blast from the past and getting a look at weird fashion trends in history. But don’t worry, we can all breathe easy knowing these weird trends are a thing of the past.

Weird Fashion Trends We’re Glad Are Dead

We are hoping the saying ‘history repeats itself’ doesn’t pertain to these strange yet historical fashion trends. Starting from the beginning let’s dive into some of history’s worst fashion mistakes. Do us a favor though and don’t try to revive any of these.

1. Black Teeth

During the Edo period in Japan, it was very common for people with status to dye their teeth black. The Japanese often considered black items beautiful.

They made the dye by dissolving iron filling with vinegar. Members of high status and wealth applied the paste to their teeth every few days and strangely enough, protected the teeth’s enamel for wear.

This strange fashion trend dates back to a very early time in Japanese history. Archaeologists have found blackened teeth remains from skeletons dating back to 250 to 538 AD. Records show this trend lasted for hundreds of years

With everyone wanting white teeth, we aren’t worried about this trend resurfacing anytime soon.

2. Lotus Shoes

This terrifying 10th-century fashion trend might have some readers squeamish so only the brave read on. Lotus shoes are the name of shoes that Chinese women wore when they had their feet bound. These cone or hoof-shaped shoes resemble a lotus blossom, hence the name.

Footbinding in China at that time was a traditional symbol of status, and small feet were a mark of beauty. From a young age, women would break other women’s feet and toes, force them into the shoe shape and bound them with tight wraps before the arch of the foot could fully develop. In this case, this beauty is not worth the pain.

3. Crackowes

Crackowes are very long single-toed shoes thought to have originated in Krakow, the capital of Poland. This bizarre shoe trend was popular in Europe between the 12th and 15th century.

These shoes, worn traditionally by men, stuffed the long pointed toe with material like moss or horsehair. To avoid tripping, the toe was often tied to the ankle for support.

4. Chopines

Chopines are the founding mother of today’s clog or platform shoe, even though we wish they never happened. These over-shoes were wildly popular among women in the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries to protect their dresses and shoes from the ground.

Designers made these shoes progressively taller over time, allowing women to tower over others, perhaps as a sign of status? Chopines were usually made of cork or wood and sometimes banded with metal or bedazzled in jewels. These OG platform shoes made a comeback several times since then like during the era of disco and the 90s–how could we forget the Spice Girls?

5. Corsets

One of the biggest fashion trends of the past was the corset. And sadly this scary trend is back thanks to celebrities like Kim K and Jessica Alba. Thankfully enough, the modern day waist trainer doesn’t mimic the historical corset design that was popular in the 16th century.

Not only were these traditional corsets uncomfortable, but they were also dangerous. Women’s body organs would be dramatically shifted and damaged due to the tight lacing and would even lead to women fainting because of their restricted airways.

6. Powdered Wigs and Hairpieces

If you think pastel colored hair is a trend of today, think again. During the 18th century, powdered wigs were all too popular among men in Europe. At this time, women wore supplemental hair pieces.

To keep their “hair” smelling nice, they would use wig power: starch mixed with orange flower, lavender, or orris root. While men opted for the off-white powdered look–hence every picture you’ve seen of our founding fathers–women chose light blue or lavender power to use on their hair pieces.

7. Hobble Skirt

This skirt trend, popular in the 1910s, consisted of a skirt with a very small hem that restrained a woman’s stride. The skirt design came about by accident, by the first woman airplane passenger who tied a rope around her legs to keep her skirt from flying up.

The French fashion designer who caught a glimpse of her hobbling off the plane, rope still tied around her legs, thought her ingenious. The hobble skirt was born.

8. Bagel Head

If you don’t know about the bagel head trend of 2014, then we’re sorry to be the ones to introduce you to something so strange. This body modification procedure originated in Canada in 2007 but became popular in underground Japan a few years later.

This trend consists of a temporary injection of saline solution under the skin producing a swollen look. A dent pressed into the middle of the saline bubble, gives it the “bagel-shaped” impression, hence the name. This trend only lasts a few hours, as your body absorbs the saline over time. It poses no substantial medical concerns if done correctly.

9. Double Jeans

We don’t know about you, but we don’t usually want to wear one pair of jeans, let alone two. Team leggings all the way. However, a denim fashion trend from 2017, produced a pair of doubled up jeans including two waistbands. Talk about being hard to get.

A cool $695 can buy you a denim optical illusion by Natasha Zinko. And yes, you can still get them today.

Want to see how we’re wearing the hottest trends at Stylinity? Click here for some inspiration!

What’s Your Favorite Trend Right Now?

Hey fashion lovers, do us a favor and don’t try and bring back any weird fashion trends unless its the one where we tote around small dogs as a fashion statement–we have to admit that one’s pretty cute.

If you want another dose of weirdness, check out what weird popular trend is hitting the world today. Thankfully we are never bored in today’s world.

Weirdomatic is the place where all weird things come to life through the amazing world of photographs – a corner of our wild imagination or the whimsical face of the reality?