There's nothing that fashion loves to do more than lure us all into a false sense of style security before ripping the rug out from beneath us. You thought you were safe in the knowledge that socks and sandals were a sartorial no-no then, lo and behold, the fashion set declare it to be cool. Clearly, your geography teacher was way ahead of the trends this whole time.
Every decade has had its own list of fashion faux pas, which has then been dutifully broken by the next bright young things, and 2019 is no different. Over the last few months, the fashion world has taken rule-breaking to another level, gathering up every single print, silhouette and style which has been deemed "distasteful" or "uncool" and giving it a new lease of life. Pat Butcher animal print? So chic. Embarrassing dad trainers? Too cool for school. Ab Fab chandelier earrings? Yes, please.
While some may roll their eyes in despair, we see this penchant for so-called bad taste trends as a chance to throw the rule book out the window and declare that, once and for all, fashion can be whatever you want it to be.
If you want to stick rigidly to the seasonal trends, then go for it. If you'd prefer to swim against the tide and try something totally counter-cultural? All power to you. If nothing else, this trend proves that most styles come back around anyway. Scroll down to see the nine "bad taste" trends that are looking oh-so-chic right now.
Anoraks
Style Notes: Gone are the days of negatively labelling someone an anorak—geek is now chic. Whether you take the plunge with a designer iteration or just go with an authentic Peter Storm original, it's all about mashing up the style with tailored separates and polished accessories.
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Double Denim
Style Notes: How can anyone forget Britney and Justin's iconic (and infamous) double-denim outfits from the 2001 American Music Awards? Fast-forward to the present day, and the Canadian tuxedo is decidedly cool again. Our favourite way to work the trend? Tuck a Western-style shirt into a pair of straight leg jeans for Wild West cool.
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Neon
Style Notes: Neon isn't exactly a colour you would usually associate with the tastemakers of the world, but this fashion week we were proved wrong. Layered under shirts and rendered in eye-popping accessories, highlighter hues are the look du jour.
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Decadent Jewellery
Style Notes: There's something very Ab Fab about this season's penchant for spangled, decadent jewellery. Some of the styles currently available on the high street seem to embrace their evident "fakeness," and in turn, offer any outfit an OTT '80s-inspired twist.
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Related: The "Ugly" Summer Dress Trend Comfy-Girls Will Love
Animal Print
Style Notes: Whether it's Pat Butcher from EastEnders or Janice from Friends, animal print has had a pretty bad rap over the years. But unless you've been hiding under a rock, you'll know that snake, leopard and zebra are big news right now. Apply to every and anything—from shoes and bags to coats and midi skirts.
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Socks and Sandals
Style Notes: Previously associated with kindergartners or nerdy teachers, socks with sandals have pretty much always been a fashion faux pas—until now. Influencers such as Slip Into Style have been rocking orthopaedic-style sandals and pairing them with colour pop socks. It sounds so wrong yet looks so good.
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'80s Party Dresses
Style Notes: For a long time, the '80s have been synonymous with "bad taste" fashion, whether it's frosted eye shadow or big shoulder pads. But thanks to brands such as Attico, and more recently, Rotate Birger Christensen, the '80s party dress has made a return, and it's looking better than ever.
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Cowboy Boots
Style Notes: Cowboy boots have dipped in and out of popularity since the '80s, but they have finally managed to worm their way into our shoe capsule wardrobe. Forget "These Boots are Made for Walkin'"—cowboy boots look great with wide-cut jeans and ankle-grazing dresses.
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Dad Trainers
Style Notes: Everyone can remember a parent (perhaps your own) from their school days who was ridiculed for wearing dad trainers. Chunky, practical-looking and sporty, this seemingly "bad taste" trend now fits perfectly into the "ugly" aesthetic that has proliferated this season. Daddy cool, indeed.
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