It is clear by now that fashion is something cyclical and that trends from the past are always making a comeback, this is something that has been happening for centuries. Take the aftermath of the French revolution, for example, where fashion reflected the social and political situation of the country.

During the French Revolution, women’s dress diversified into various forms of national costume, reflecting both revolutionary fervour and classical antiquity. By 1790, skirts retained a degree of fullness but no longer projected in a distinct direction, though a subtle bustle pad was occasionally employed, while by 1795, waistlines had begun their ascent, heralding the advent of the empire silhouette and the unrestrained neoclassicism, inspired by ancient Rome and Greece too: corsets weren’t visible as an empire silhouette was predominant, and mostly cotton fabrics were used instead of silk. This simplicity of silhouette and materials made fashion more accessible. 

In 2025, people are embracing fashion trends inspired by countless eras. Interestingly, sometimes people are drawn more to the aesthetic side of these trends, only repurposing the visual part of each style – for example, there are old subcultures remerging, but some of the new members do not follow the political beliefs that once defined these subcultures. However, apart from the possibility of people being more interested in the aesthetic side of trends, it is not unlikely for fashion to be more than just visuals, it can also be something symbolic, carrying deeper meanings that reflect identity and values.

Of course, decoding these symbols can be tricky when so many styles and trends are mixed together. But by digging into the archives and exploring the origins of each trend, we can uncover the stories behind the clothes. In the coming posts we will dive into the resurgence of styles coming directly from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.