Fashion Trends You'd Rather Forget

Fashion is a funny thing. It involves a constant dance between self-expression, social status, and sometimes, sheer absurdity. While today's trends might include Crocs^® shoes and crop tops, history offers a treasure trove of "interesting" choices that have raised many eyebrows.

So, buckle up, fashionistas (and those who like to laugh), because we're diving into the oddest trends that have ever graced — or disgraced — the human form.

1. The Codpiece: The Original Package Deal (15th & 16th Centuries)

Codpiece, worn by men from the 15th to the 17th century. Drawing by David Ring, commissioned by Europeana Fashion and courtesy of Mode Museum under CC0 1.0.

Let's start strong. The codpiece, a flamboyant flap attached to men's breeches, wasn't just for show (although it made a show). Historians believe it offered practical protection during battle or jousting.

However, as the trend trickled down to nobility and civilians, it became more about size. The bigger the codpiece, the more prominent your presence. Thankfully, this trend eventually (and mercifully) deflated.

2. The Farthingale: The Original Social Distancing Tool (16th Century)

Portrait of a Lady, circa 1592 by Robert Peake the Elder. Photo courtesy of Philip Mould Ltd, London. Public domain.

Imagine a skirt that fills an entire doorway. These skirts are called the farthingale. This enormous undergarment, made of whalebone or wicker, expanded women's skirts to ridiculous sizes.

While some argue that it emphasized the waist, others point out its impracticality. Dancing? Forget it. Walking through a crowded market? It's more like navigating an obstacle course. Fortunately, the farthingale was eventually replaced by the slightly less cumbersome crinoline, but we'll get to that later.

3. The Hobble Skirt: Taking Small Steps for Style (Early 20th Century)

Have you ever heard the saying "beauty is pain?" The hobble skirt is the perfect example of that concept. These restrictive garments, which became popular in the early 1900s, were so tight at the ankles women could barely walk.

Imagine a world where catching the bus meant playing a high-stakes game of hopscotch. Fortunately, this trend was short-lived, likely due to its sheer impracticality.

4. Platform Shoes: Taking Height to New Extremes (Various Periods)

Trendy platform shoes. Photo courtesy of Yiannis Theologos Michellis under CC0 1.0.

Throughout history, platform shoes have served as a popular fashion choice, offering wearers both physical elevation and a metaphorical lift. One notable example of these elevated shoes is the chopines worn in 16th-century Venice, which could reach staggering heights of up to a foot.

Walking in these shoes would have been akin to navigating on stilts that were barely wearable for extended periods. However, as safety concerns and reports of the occasional broken ankle emerged, the popularity of these gravity-defying shoes eventually waned.

5. The Crinoline: The Ultimate Tea Party Dress (Mid-19th Century)

Cage crinoline, American or European. Photo courtesy of the Metrolpolitan Museum of Art, a gift from Mrs. Van S. Merle-Smith, 1941, under CC0 1.0.

The crinoline, which was the Victorian era's way of keeping a safe distance, was a skirt made of steel hoops. These skirts could be several feet in diameter, making it difficult to move through doorways and sit down comfortably. While some argue that it gave a flattering silhouette, the crinoline's impracticality and flammability (especially around open flames and all those dresses) eventually led to its downfall.

A Reflection of Our Times (and Our Oddities)

These are just a few examples of the many outlandish trends that have graced the human body throughout history.

Looking back, they can be funny, or sometimes downright bizarre. But they also offer a fascinating glimpse into different eras' social, cultural, and even technological limitations. 

So, the next time you think today's trends are a bit strange, remember that fashion has always had a flair for the dramatic (and sometimes the impractical).

References: A Brief History of the Codpiece, the Personal Protection for Renaissance Equipment | CODPIECE|The Spanish Farthingale | Fashion Distraction: The Farthingale | The truth about the Edwardian Hobble Skirt| Platform shoe| The Crinoline (mid-1850s to mid-1860s)| More Weird Fashion Trends Throughout History Youtube