Are we constantly repeating trends without realising?

Modern or Vintage?

I found a photo taken around thirty years ago. (Has anyone else been clearing out these past few weeks?!)  It’s members of my family and me on a walk. I realised my family is wearing the exact outfit that I wear every day in the present: high waisted jeans and a white tee or blouse. How did I end up wearing the same clothes thirty years later?

But it’s not just me, right?! Lots of people wear a similar look. Are we all repeating trends our mothers and grandmothers wore? Maybe without even realising it.

True inspiration comes from mums wardrobe. 

It’s common for trends to go in cycles spanning decades. It often happens in other mediums such as art, architecture, and home decor too.  For any vintage clothing lovers, trends that reappear in cycles are usually more accessible. Unless they also become popular, I’m looking at you, Levis 501! Preloved silk or cotton blouses that have that relaxed french style can be picked up for a fraction of new prices, for example. I’ve even found great ones online, stay away from man-made fabrics and make sure to read the description!

Now I’m on the hunt for more photographs to see if this repeating trend was a one-off. Last summer, I found a vintage summer dress from the ’90s that reminded me of similar ones my mum wore at the time. It has made me question my style; we gain inspiration from our culture growing up. I just never realised it was so obvious. But I’m happy to embrace it. Maybe after the travel bans are lifted, I should go back to Scotland and raid my mum’s wardrobe!