The UK’s Biggest Clothing Regrets Revealed
We all have at least one outfit or accessory we regret ever wearing. Whether it’s ‘80s shell suits, ‘90s low-rise jeans or ‘00s velour tracksuits, many of us have committed fashion crimes at least once in our lives.
To uncover the UK’s biggest fashion crimes, we’ve analysed the most regretted clothing items and accessories across the nation. Our research involved examining articles and sentiment analysis of 150,000 fashion social media threads.
Our algorithm has given each item a regret rating and a nostalgia rating for those pieces we’re fond of. The scores measure Brits’ regret and nostalgia from 1 to 100, with the higher scores showing the most regret or nostalgia respectively. Let’s reveal the results.
The top five regretted fashion items of all time
Firstly, we took a trip down memory lane to explore the ill-fated trends of the 1980s to the 2010s.
We compiled a list of over 100 fashion regrets and faux pas from the past 30 years using article and desk research. We also pulled monthly Google search volumes and TikTok views from the last year to assess the popularity of these fashion regrets now.
The five biggest fashion crimes of all time are:
• Low-rise jeans
• Sweatbands
• Aztec print clothing
• Shell suits
• Studded belts
Low-rise jeans are the most regretted clothing item, scoring 82 out of 100. Popularised by the likes of Britney Spears in the 2001 music video “I’m Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman”, this style sits low on or below the hips and has become a nightmare for many women. Low-rise jeans garner 14,800 monthly Google searches and have received 113,000 TikTok views in the past year.
Sweatbands rank second with a score of 55 out of 100. Introduced in the 1980s, they gained popularity through celebrity music videos, such as Olivia Newton John’s “Physical”, transitioning from a workout accessory to mainstream fashion. These thick, sweatproof bands are worn on the head or wrists and were paired with any clothing, not just athleisure. Despite their age, sweatbands still attract 9,900 monthly Google searches and have accumulated 41,000 views on TikTok in the past year. This is possibly down to Netflix’s popular ‘80s revival show, Stranger Things.
Aztec print clothing comes in third with a score of 46 out of 100. Aztec print was popular in the 1990s but gained real traction in the 2000s. This clothing receives 750 monthly Google searches and has accumulated 32,000 TikTok views in the last year. The trend was popularised by Jean Paul Gaultier’s Spring 2010 line, which showcased the spirit of Aztec culture.
Shell suits rank fourth with a score of 39 out of 100. Having evolved from tracksuits during the 1960s, this ‘80s trend consists of two matching pieces with bold prints and thin material. The rise of athleisure clothing during the fitness craze contributed to shell suits’ popularity. Shell suits attract 18,100 monthly Google searches and have received 247,000 TikTok views in the past year. The trend started gaining momentum when celebrities like footballer David Icke wore the suits on chat show appearances, such as Terry Wogan’s ‘80s talk show.
Studded belts secure fifth place with a score of 38 out of 100. These accessories were worn by rockers in the 1950s and embraced by greasers and punks in the ‘60s and ‘70s. They experienced a revival during the ‘90s and 2000s thanks to celebrities like Christina Aguilera, whose signature look was bejewelled belts. Aguilera’s 1998 portrait in California’s University City catapulted studded belts into mainstream fashion as oversized belts became a fashion statement – the bigger the belt and jewels, the better! Despite lower Google search volume (1,900 monthly searches), studded belts have garnered 325,000 TikTok views in the past year.
The top five nostalgic clothing pieces
Now that we’ve discussed the biggest fashion regrets, which clothing pieces do Brits feel most nostalgic about? We’ve highlighted the top five timeless clothing pieces Brits feel most nostalgic about, along with their nostalgia rating out of 100 and corresponding Google and TikTok search popularity. These are:
• Leg warmers
• Belly chains
• Board shorts
• Crop shirts, tube tops and cold shoulder tops
• Tank tops
Leg warmers top the list with a score of 81 out of 100. They gained popularity in the 1980s and were originally designed to prevent muscle cramps in dancers. ‘80s films such as Fame and Flashdance popularised leg warmers, and they were often worn with miniskirts, leggings, or jeans. They receive 14,800 monthly Google searches and have accumulated 16 million TikTok hashtags over three years.
Belly chains rank second with a score of 66 out of 100. Originally worn by belly dancers, they gained popularity with the wider public in the 2000s due to music stars such as Shakira wearing them in ‘00s music videos “Beautiful Liar” and “La Tortura”. They were often paired with crop tops or bikinis. Belly chains have grown in popularity among Gen Z as part of the Y2K fashion trend, accumulating two million TikTok views over the last three years. Additionally, they receive 9,000 monthly Google searches.
Board shorts rank third with 64 out of 100. Originally designed for surfers in the 1950s, they gained significant popularity in the ‘90s with the new skater style movement, often seen in TV shows such as Saved by the Bell. Board shorts typically feature pockets and an oversized fit and come in various patterns and colours. They receive 6,600 monthly Google searches and have accumulated 155,000 TikTok views over the last year.
Crop shirts, tube tops and cold shoulder tops are in fourth place with 62 out of 100.
Crop shirts are a popular part of the crop top movement, originating in the 1970s. They were initially a part of men’s fashion before gaining popularity among women. Bodybuilders would often cut the bottom of their shirts to comply with gym dress codes. The cropped shirt trend experienced a resurgence in the 1990s, with TV show characters like Will Smith in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air wearing them. They receive 57,600 monthly Google searches and have amassed an impressive 75 million views on TikTok over the last three years.
Tube tops are tight-fitting, sleeveless tops that were a 1990s fashion staple, frequently worn by members of Destiny’s Child and TV show characters like Prue Halliwell in Charmed. They currently generate 18,700 monthly Google searches. Tube tops have experienced a resurgence in recent years, particularly among Gen Z, accumulating over three million TikTok views in the past year and five million views over the last three years.
Cold shoulder tops, originating in the 1930s and regaining popularity in the late ‘90s and 2000s, expose only one shoulder. This style has also expanded to include dresses. It has been donned by influential figures and celebrities like Hillary Clinton and Liza Minnelli, who wore a cold shoulder dress to the 1992 Academy Awards. Cold shoulder tops receive 14,500 monthly Google searches but have no recent TikTok views.
Tank tops complete the top five with a nostalgia rating of 61 out of 100. Tank tops, named after the 1920s bathing suit trend, were initially worn as undergarments. During the ‘70s, men and women started wearing them as outer garments. Tank tops experienced a surge in popularity in the ‘00s when TV characters in 90210 and The O.C. began sporting them. The normcore trend, characterised by minimalistic dressing, also contributed to the popularity of tank tops. This style receives 33,100 monthly Google searches and has accumulated 18 million TikTok views over the last three years.
‘90s trends Brits regret and feel the most nostalgic about
The ‘90s saw the grunge era form, which consisted of cargo trousers, flared jeans, slip dresses and chokers. We have tallied the top five regrets and most nostalgic pieces of this time.
Here are the top regretted ‘90s clothing pieces:
• Low-rise jeans
• Studded belts
• Whale tail
• Coloured sunglasses
• Flared jeans
Low-rise jeans are officially the most regretted ‘90s trend, with studded belts in second place. You can learn more about each item in our overall biggest regrets section above.
The whale tail, also known as the exposed thong, is the third biggest ‘90s regret, scoring 32 out of 100. Exposing underwear as a fashion statement dates back to the 1930s and burlesque dancers. The whale tail trend emerged when fashion designers began showcasing fully exposed lower halves or thong straps as part of outfits on the runway. Movie and music stars like Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Rose McGowan and Gillian Anderson popularised thongs with low-rise pants or skirts, bringing the trend into mainstream fashion.
The trend saw a resurgence in 2018 when Kim Kardashian posted a photo sporting a black thong whilst promoting her new KKW Beauty product. Whale tail has accumulated one million TikTok views in the past year and six million views in the last three years. However, it has a lower search volume of 5,400 monthly Google searches.
Coloured sunglasses are the fourth biggest ‘90s regret with a score of 31 out of 100. This trend expanded into the early 2000s, catapulting into mainstream fashion after celebrities like Paris Hilton and Victoria Beckham began wearing the accessory. Coloured sunglasses come in vibrant or pastel colours, like blue or pink, and various shapes and sizes. The style only garners 2,580 monthly Google searches and has received 91 TikTok views in the past year.
Flared jeans complete our top five with a score of 25 out of 100. Originating from sailors in the navy, flared-legged pants became a significant trend in the 1960s and ‘70s. ‘90s fashion revived the trend with baggier styles and a smaller flare compared to the ‘60s. Worn by actress Brooke Shields and singer Janet Jackson during the ‘90s, flared jeans are trending again thanks to music artists and models like Dua Lipa and Bella Hadid. Flared jeans receive 33,100 monthly Google searches and have accumulated seven million TikTok views over the last three years.
Most nostalgic ‘90s clothing pieces revealed
Not everything is awful, and many trends are timeless. Here are the internet’s most-loved trends that show no signs of disappearing.
• Board shorts
• Crop shirts
• Tube tops
• Plaid skirts
• Overalls
Board shorts, crop shirts and tube tops are nostalgic items taking first, second and third place. You can learn more about the history of these items in the section above.
Plaid skirts rank fourth with a score of 56. The plaid pattern originated in 18th-century Scotland. It has been popular throughout various decades, including the 1920s, ‘70s, and more recently during the ‘90s grunge movement. One notable film character who popularised the plaid skirt was Clueless’ Cher Horowitz, with her iconic yellow plaid matching blazer and skirt. Plaid skirts come in different silhouettes, such as miniskirts and midi-length skirts. This trend receives 6,600 monthly Google searches and has accumulated three million views on TikTok over three years.
Overalls, also known as dungarees, rank fifth with a score of 55. Originally designed as workwear, the first variation of overalls appeared among British royal army members in the late 18th century. Overalls were worn throughout the 20th century and evolved from workwear to casual wear in the 1960s. They gained popularity again in the ‘90s on TV shows such as Friends, worn by the iconic character Rachel Green, and became a staple of streetwear, often made from cotton or denim. Overalls receive 22,200 monthly Google searches and have accumulated 29 million hashtags on TikTok over the past three years.
Top 10 biggest millennial clothing regrets
Millennials are classed as anyone born between 1982 and 2004. This generation has witnessed many fashion trends, some loved and others hated. Here are the top five.
• Sweatbands
• Aztec print clothing
• Shell suits
• Parachute pants
• Velour tracksuits
Our top five are repeat offenders, demonstrating that millennials have committed the most fashion crimes. Sweatbands, Aztec print clothing, shell suits, parachute pants and velour tracksuits make up our top five.
Which regretted fashion items are trending this year?
As we know, fashion trends have a habit of reappearing. With that in mind, we have explored which clothing pieces are trending again by analysing Google search volume increases over the past year. We also analysed TikTok views over the past year and three years, as well as the percentage of views generated over the last year.
Here are the top five regretted fashion items that are trending again.
• Parachute pants
• Belly chains
• Leg warmers
• Platform sandals
• Pastel blazers
Parachute pants are the top trending style, with a 1,263% increase in Google search volume and 97% of TikTok views generated in the last year.
Belly chains take the second-place spot, with a 208% Google search volume increase. 100% of TikTok views have been generated in the past year.
Leg warmers are in third place, with a 188% Google search volume increase and 88% of TikTok views generated in the past year.
Platform sandals are in fourth place, with a 161% Google search volume increase and 90% of TikTok views generated in the last year.
Pastel blazers complete our top five, with a 141% Google search volume increase. 88% of TikTok views have come from the past year.
If you feel your wardrobe is in need of a refresh after learning about Brits’ biggest fashion crimes, be sure to check out our denim jackets, women’s tracksuits and skinny jeans. Or if you are looking for some lighter pieces, our oversized t-shirts have you covered.
Methodology:
We conducted extensive desk research to identify the most prominent fashion trends and items from the past four decades. This was followed by the collection of over 150,000 comments from popular online fashion threads over the last 12 months, which served as our public opinion database. Before analysis, these comments underwent a cleansing process, making them ready for text processing via a machine learning model.
This model helped identify conversations about the specified trends and items. Subsequently, the model measured the social sentiment associated with these trends and items, primarily focusing on their negative sentiment. This process allowed us to assign a ‘regret score’ between 0 and 100 to each trend or item, with a higher score indicating higher regret levels. Additionally, we determined a ‘nostalgia rating’ for each item or trend, ranging from 0 to 100, by measuring both neutral and positive sentiments, where a higher score represents greater nostalgia.
We also ran these items through Google Keyword Planner to see which items were the most searched from January 2020 to December 2022. We complemented this with TikTok hashtag views from the last three years and identified the number of views from the last year alone. This enabled us to determine which items were coming back into fashion/becoming popular again.
About Victoria Copley
Victoria Copley has written 6 posts in this blog.