ADVERTISEMENT

As a fellow millennial growing up, don’t tell me you didn’t have one of those plastic stretchy chokers, or that fascinatingly odd toy called a yo-yo. At some point in our childhood, these were among the must-haves but have since vanished without a trace.

Many trends, tendencies and crazes (fancy participating in a flashmob, anyone?!) that were getting all the buzz at one point seem to have had an expiry date.

“What was a huge trend everyone forgot about?” someone asked on Reddit, and the thread soon turned into a walk down memory lane merged with a healthy dose of cringe.

#1

50 Major Trends In The Past That New Generations Probably Wouldn't Understand If you are old enough, you can't beat mood rings.

Happyjarboy , petrr Report

Add photo comments
POST
livthomas avatar
Velveteen Worm
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can't tell me that as an adult anytime you run into mood rings in a shop you don't put it on to see your mood

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#2

50 Major Trends In The Past That New Generations Probably Wouldn't Understand Whazaaaaaaaaaaaap

sane-ish replied:

One of my aunts still does this. We don't talk.

HutSutRawlson , trolipo Report

“There is not really a golden rule to recognize whether something is a trend or a fad,” Lina Survila, the founder of Abstract Stylist magazine and creator of metaverse news newsletter The Wearables Daily, told Bored Panda.

It really depends on the context and every trend. But when talking about fashion, the industry which is largely ruled by tendencies that change every season, many unexpected things happen, Lina argues.

“I think about trends and fads in fashion the same way I think about art - the truth will shine after a long time when we will be able to realize if this thing is really something that will stay within our generation.”

ADVERTISEMENT
#4

50 Major Trends In The Past That New Generations Probably Wouldn't Understand Those plastic stretchy chokers that also doubled as bracelets.

LuckieCharm86 , etsy Report

#5

50 Major Trends In The Past That New Generations Probably Wouldn't Understand Macarena.

justabill71 , bunnicula Report

#6

50 Major Trends In The Past That New Generations Probably Wouldn't Understand Fun ringtones.

Tritriagain , TORLEY Report

Add photo comments
POST
rayceeyarayceeya avatar
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, all gone. Not only does everybody have their phone on vibrate, but nobody calls any more. Who wants to talk through a voice call? My parents who are in their 60s that's about it for me.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Today, many trends are inevitably influenced by the advancement of technology. From AI to Metaverse and Web3, the way we experience the world around us is rapidly changing. And so are art and fashion. Virtual try-ons, video games, metaverse fashion shows, and NFTs paved the way for a new concept of digital fashion, and experts say there’s no telling what will come next.

For many fleeting trends, the biggest challenge is to remain relevant. The only way to do so is to hold or raise its value for years to come. But how could we know that? Lina says she takes into account a few things before making her decision about a purchase.

ADVERTISEMENT

“First, it's the people who made it, because people always bring the biggest value. Just think about it, H&M is not a collectible brand, but once they collaborate with a famous designer, it's another story, and those items sell at a higher price than the original sale.”

#7

50 Major Trends In The Past That New Generations Probably Wouldn't Understand Farmville.

Sea-Kitchen3779 replied:

People would get real sh**ty when you told them you didn't play and couldn't trade strawberries or some s**t.

misterbondpt , farmville Report

Add photo comments
POST
angga-a-w avatar
hungryghost
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tried so hard to avoid this game and still not playing it

View more commentsArrow down menu
#8

50 Major Trends In The Past That New Generations Probably Wouldn't Understand Yo-yo's had a big resurgence when I was a kid in the 90s. They were all the rage for like half of one school year, and then they just kind of vanished. It was fun playing with them with my dad for a while, and i did learn a few tricks.

BrilliantWeight , Xulian Nava Report

Add photo comments
POST
livthomas avatar
Velveteen Worm
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We had some yo-yo wielding man/boy come to our elementary school showing us his yo-yo tricks with all his different types and tricks and later they sold the yo-yos to students at school for a week or two?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

50 Major Trends In The Past That New Generations Probably Wouldn't Understand I feel like we, as a society, have collectively decided to just pretend like JNCO pants never existed.

theguineapigssong , jnco Report

ADVERTISEMENT

Another important aspect is timing. “Is this thing a copy or something I have never seen in the space? For example, even though IKEA is full of functional minimalistic style designs, Dieter Rams' designs will always sell at a higher price. They will be valuable in time because he was a pioneer in space,” Lina explained.

And the third aspect to think about when making an investment is the item’s technology availability. “Is this built on something that will change fashion or any industry forever?”

Lina gave an example of Prada's iconic nylon bags. “Those were one of the first nylon bags on the market at a time when nylon was huge news in fashion. Nobody used nylon before in that way. I understand cryptocurrencies the same.” The creator of the metaverse newsletter draws a parallel between Ethereum technology and nylon material, saying “it’s new and exciting, and available for others to build off.”

#10

My mom lived in the 80’s as a young adult and according to her it’s 100% aerobics. Worldwide. So huge in fact that you can’t pretty much escape it as it was EVERYWHERE. TVs, electrical appliances and outfits, movies, songs, competitions, HECK a lot of corporate workplace including my mom’s even had a dedicated aerobics routine.

And you’d think gym culture today is already wack enough…..

Nafeels Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#11

50 Major Trends In The Past That New Generations Probably Wouldn't Understand Super thin eyebrows and jeans that defy the concept of a pubic line

anonymous08191987 , Libertarian Girl Report

Add photo comments
POST
rachelwaite avatar
PenguinQueen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeahhhhh my cousins did mine in the early 2000s and they have never grown back.. This is how you can spot a Millennial

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#12

50 Major Trends In The Past That New Generations Probably Wouldn't Understand Toe socks. Very uncomfortable but very fashionable in the 90’s

BodybuilderOk6805 , Eli Christman Report

Add photo comments
POST
frogglin avatar
Little Wonder
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I still have a pair, and they're not uncomfortable (then again I wear those toe shoes too so make of that what you will)

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#14

50 Major Trends In The Past That New Generations Probably Wouldn't Understand Jelly shoes.

Wearing 2 different coloured pairs of socks at once, & rolling them down, so that the underneath sock colour showed.

Dangerous-Highway-61 , TheOnlyAnla who is takin Report

#15

Leg warmers.

SpunkyCrunky replied:

I’m the proud owner of several pairs of leg warmers and I wouldn’t give them up even after death. Those mfs are getting buried with me

Boring-Apricot-5949 Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#17

Smelly Stickers, my fav was Buttered Popcorn..

broadway96 Report

Add photo comments
POST
gofogusto avatar
Mr.G86
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you're referring to those scratch n sniff stickers, strawberry takes me back

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#18

50 Major Trends In The Past That New Generations Probably Wouldn't Understand Pokémon go. I know some people still play. But it was huge when it first came out.

corobo replied:

Closest we ever got to world peace.

NastyNateD10 , Eduardo Woo Report

#19

Wearing overalls with one strap unbuttoned like Fresh Prince

permacloud Report

Add photo comments
POST
rachelwaite avatar
PenguinQueen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The fresh Prince was an entire vibe a way of being and a whole era of existence

View more commentsArrow down menu
#20

50 Major Trends In The Past That New Generations Probably Wouldn't Understand Flash mobs.

SomeDinosaurs replied:

This is a shame. I always thought they were fun!

Apprehensive-Cow6194 replied

Good they’re so cringe.

ballsoutofthebathtub , Music Hall Report

#21

50 Major Trends In The Past That New Generations Probably Wouldn't Understand Pet rocks. Dude made bank

Sorrow_cutter , amazon Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#22

50 Major Trends In The Past That New Generations Probably Wouldn't Understand Shoulder pads.

rinkydinkmink , CG Intimates Report

Add photo comments
POST
sam-ablashi avatar
The other-other David Wong
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The picture doesn’t do this horrible trend justice. Late 80’s was a bad time for women’s fashion.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#23

Anyone else remember Koosh balls?

diiejso Report

#24

I feel like the trend of neon clothing and accessories was a huge one that everyone seems to have forgotten about.

Remember when everyone was rocking those neon green snapback hats and neon pink crop tops?

Good times.

I still have some neon pieces in my closet, I might have to bring them back.

Able_Development_240 Report

#25

Swatch watches, even wearing two at a time.

Burnenville_ Report

Add photo comments
POST
erickflores_1 avatar
The Alpha Geek
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Swatch watches have recently made a strong comeback because of their Omega collaboration.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#26

This might be a bit of a regional thing: Puka shell necklaces.

blue_alien_police Report

Add photo comments
POST
asmith_1 avatar
Ba-Na-Na
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember these in the early 2000’s and so cool. You were nobody unless you had one!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#27

50 Major Trends In The Past That New Generations Probably Wouldn't Understand Lower back tattoos.

ACMX488 , istolethetv Report

#29

50 Major Trends In The Past That New Generations Probably Wouldn't Understand Furbies, tickle me elmo.

Padmei , whatleydude Report

Add photo comments
POST
sam-ablashi avatar
The other-other David Wong
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Everything they said Furbies could do they didn’t. They can talk to each other, they remember, they can file your taxes. All rubbish.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#30

Cabbage Patch Dolls

StaticElectrica Report

Add photo comments
POST
ac_5 avatar
A C
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Best dolls!! ----- but, do kids play with dolls and utilize their imagination anymore....when I see kiddos it seems like they are often with a device in hand...

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#31

50 Major Trends In The Past That New Generations Probably Wouldn't Understand Kriss Kross and backwards pants, circa 1990.

Dee_Buttersnaps replied:

They performed on In Living Color and the next day half the boys in my fifth grade class came to school with their clothes on backwards.

PeregrinePickle , Lindsey Turner Report

#32

The hair poof in the front girls used to rock.

Moneyshot_ITF Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#34

Garbage pail kids.

Slartibartfast39 Report

#35

50 Major Trends In The Past That New Generations Probably Wouldn't Understand The “challenges” like cinammon challenge, the ice bucket challenge, condom challenge, etc.

catchmeifyoucannon added:

Mannequin Challenge.

OffBeatBerry_707 , Shine On Media Report

Add photo comments
POST
kkermes avatar
Kim Kermes
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The ice bucket challenge raised an unbelievable amount of money that funded significant advances in ALS studies toward treatment. Please don't lump that one in.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#36

50 Major Trends In The Past That New Generations Probably Wouldn't Understand Heelys.

wheresthecheat replied:

Ugh that was the best 3 weeks before my school banned them. We would have our friends pull us into jousting fights between classes… okay i guess i understand why they were banned but they were still fun as sh**t

relaximjustcurious , katehartman Report

Add photo comments
POST
zanemathewsallen avatar
crowspectre (he/they)
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If I had any courage I would wear heelies to school and glide around like a king but no I will not

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#38

California Raisins

DeathSpiral321 Report

Add photo comments
POST
ac_5 avatar
A C
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember being so envious of someone who had the WHOLE collection

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#39

Pogs.

firebugguy Report

Add photo comments
POST
ac_5 avatar
A C
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

POGS!!! Now whomever invented the pogs containers is making BANK in the mary-j-wanna industry. All pot shops use various sized pogs containers! Lol

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#40

50 Major Trends In The Past That New Generations Probably Wouldn't Understand Fidget spinners and the dab.

Spank-Those-Hams replied:

30 year old substitute teacher here. I dab sometimes when the kids say something dab worthy, which is either met with cringes or laughter. Either one gives me strength.

Badilol , JoanDragonfly Report

Add photo comments
POST
fredneobob90 avatar
Huddo's sister
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fidget spinners, and fidgets of all kinds, are still very popular and are really good to help kids who need a bit of 'time out'.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#41

The run on Beenie Babies.

They were buying them literally as an investment worth thousands of dollars... I literally saw them the other day being sold at Speedway

Puzzleheaded-Art-469 Report

Add photo comments
POST
seberga avatar
A girl
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OMG. My mom had hundreds of them. We wound up donating them to the fire department when she passed. There is no beanie baby riches pipeline but, at least, scared kids get a stuffed friend now in my neighborhood.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#42

50 Major Trends In The Past That New Generations Probably Wouldn't Understand That odd period when everything was themed around a mustache.

mx3goose replied:

Girls who got the mustache tattoo on your pointer finger...how's life going?

Zunokir , Jason Eppink Report

Add photo comments
POST
maxwatson1991 avatar
Max
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember someone posting a photo of a girl with a moustache tattoo in a "remember this?" way, and got the response of "oh that's my old picture, I transitioned and have a real one now!"

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#43

Pacifier necklaces.
Not sure if this was a international trend though. Early-mid 1990s, small colourful plastic pacifiers that we would trade and exchange.
I wouldnt mind a comeback, they were rather cute.

Zombie-slave Report

Add photo comments
POST
rob_mime avatar
Telepathetic
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If I remember correctly a certain Rave Drug caused teeth grinding.A pacifier was gnashed on instead.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#44

50 Major Trends In The Past That New Generations Probably Wouldn't Understand Hacky sack tricks.

Happy_Chick21 , Skill Quest Report

#45

The little finger skateboards and trick bicycles toys.

Mr_iDoNtShiVeAgiT_2 Report

#46

50 Major Trends In The Past That New Generations Probably Wouldn't Understand Harlem Shake.

DeltaForce_Valentine replied:

I loved the Harlem Shake, it was wholesome. Also i feel like my life was happier during that era when it came out.

catchmeifyoucannon , ENERGYLIVEHD Report

Add photo comments
POST
rachelwaite avatar
PenguinQueen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Omg!!! 🤣 How did I forget about this lmao it was hilerious and brought everyone together lmao

View more commentsArrow down menu
#47

Hypercolor shirts

RedwoodShade Report

#48

Bedazzling everything!

wakbat Report

#49

Spinning rims on cars. Those were BAD.

jasper333333 Report

Add photo comments
POST
beccakuehn avatar
Becca Kuehn
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I went on a date with some guy who actually told me that I should put spinning rims on my car. I drove a 1969 fastback Mustang. That car was in mint condition and looked like it had just rolled off of the factory floor. The fact that he made that suggestion told me that he was not the right guy for me. That was our first and last date. 😄 I absolutely hated the spinning rims trend.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#50

Vine, old short-video social media.

allison_hotter Report

Note: this post originally had 95 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.