From Galaxy Leggings To Oversized Cardigans, These Trends Defined The Early 2010s.

Emos made way for hipsters. ‘Love The Way You Lie’ was topping the charts. There was finally somewhere to share lo-fi pictures of our morning coffee. Hard to believe it started fifteen years ago, right?! As an avid fan of this era myself, I’m determined to keep the memory alive. Join me as I break down the standout trends of the early 2010s, and who knows, you might find yourself dressing like Zoella all over again.

When Clubbing Was Corporate

Party culture was huge at this time, but no matter how plastered we were, we liked to look classy. Sometimes referred to as ‘millennial business casual’, our clubbing outfits often combined smart and conservative with carefree and sexy: a long-sleeved blouse buttoned right to the top paired with a tight miniskirt, for example, or a short dress with a chunky necklace and blazer on top. Yeah, you can’t say we didn’t mix it up.

When The Hipsters Took Over

Hipster was the big alternative movement of the early 2010s. We’re talking beanies, plaid shirts, baggy cardigans, Converse, and scarves that were decorative rather than warm. The hardcore hipsters were big on intellectualism, ‘ironically’ enjoying things, and were sometimes considered pretentious, but nevertheless, we all borrowed elements of the aesthetic. Like many subcultures, it became so mainstream that it eventually bled into other trends, losing its initial edgy, distinctive appeal. However, aspects of the style are still going strong today.

When We Wore Statement Headgear

Fedoras, low-riding headbands, and clip-on feathers were all the rage back in the day. The boho strand of this time period was fuelled by festivals like Coachella. Vanessa Hudgens was the poster girl for cute headpieces, and celebrity endorsement further popularized the trend.

When Our Leggings Were Bold

Leggings were a cornerstone of the era, especially those with novelty prints: Aztec, Milky Way, Union Jack… you name it, we wore it. They offered a sense of fun and individuality, which massively appealed to teen girls. With Tumblr being popular among this demographic, it boosted their visibility, and we flocked to places like Urban Outfitters as if our lives depended on it.

 Oh, what a time to be alive! But before you break out the tissues, remember – we can’t turn back the clock, but we can certainly inject some 2010s nostalgia into our wardrobes! Good fashion never goes out of style, after all.