Buzz
Staying ahead of the latest trends can be a challenge. From exclusive pop-up events to thrift store hunts, everyone aims to showcase the newest styles and express their individuality. However, some trends have been tarnished by a single individual or incident, while others have become controversial due to political ties.
Discover 10 fashion trends that were ruined by a single person or event.
10. Hats
It might surprise you to learn that the first U.S. president to skip wearing a hat at his inauguration didn’t do so until 1961.
Indeed, it’s true. John F. Kennedy appeared hatless that morning, causing the popularity of fedoras and dress hats to plummet almost immediately. JFK remains one of the most beloved and stylish presidents in U.S. history. If the charismatic leader didn’t wear a hat, why should anyone else?
As noted by the JFK Library, the president received numerous letters from hat manufacturers pleading with him to wear a hat to revive their popularity. Although he occasionally wore one, Kennedy seemed to prefer going hatless, as he was seldom seen with any headwear during his presidency, including the iconic cowboy hat.
9. Black Satin
In 1849, Marie Manning and her husband George were arrested in London for the murder of Marie’s former lover. The trial captivated the public, with literary giants like Charles Dickens and Herman Melville attending the couple’s execution later that year. Dickens even immortalized her in his novel Bleak House, drawing inspiration from her story.
While the killer couple fascinated London’s elite, high-society women wanted no association with a murderer. Marie Manning wore a black satin dress to her execution, a choice that, according to the Dictionary of National Biography, made the fabric fall out of favor for decades. The definitive history of the case is aptly titled The Woman Who Murdered Black Satin.
8. Bruno Magli Shoes
A Nielson and Sony survey revealed that the O.J. Simpson trial is considered the most “universally impactful” televised event in the past 50 years. Given its immense cultural influence, it’s no surprise that certain fashion trends were affected—though, interestingly, gloves weren’t one of them.
Following the tragic deaths of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman, suspicion quickly fell on Nicole’s husband, Orenthal James “O.J.” Simpson. The subsequent trial captivated the nation, with millions of Americans glued to their screens, eager to see whether O.J. would be convicted.
A key piece of evidence at the crime scene was a size 12 shoe print in blood, identified as belonging to Bruno Magli’s “Lorenzo model.” Only 299 pairs of these exclusive Italian shoes had been sold in the U.S. at the time—and O.J. wore a size 12.
The once-obscure brand was thrust into the limelight, though not for favorable reasons. Being linked to a (likely) murderer didn’t help its reputation. Matters worsened when O.J. claimed he found Bruno Magli shoes unattractive and insisted he would never own a pair.
7. Pointed Hoods
To be honest, pointed hoods were never considered a fashionable trend. However, when the Ku Klux Klan adopted white pointed hoods as part of their attire, wearing them became synonymous with extreme racism.
The KKK, founded during the American Civil War, saw a resurgence in the 1920s. This hate group is infamous for violent acts against Black individuals, Jews, and Catholics, all carried out while donning white robes and pointed hoods.
The exact origin of the pointed hood remains unclear. Some speculate it may have been inspired by the Spanish capirote, while others link it to traditional Southern Mardi Gras costumes. The designer of the KKK’s uniform is also unknown, but their creation effectively tainted anything resembling it.
As highlighted by the Anti-Defamation League, “the hood and robes of Ku Klux Klan members are the most recognizable symbols of the Klan,” and the image of the KKK hood has become a powerful emblem of hate.
6. Bob Haircut
The name “Karen” has seen a sharp decline in popularity due to its association with a Gen Z slang term. It now describes an entitled, upper-middle-class (often white) woman. From memes about demanding to “speak to the manager” to accusations of racism, “Okay, Karen” has become a cutting remark among younger generations.
While this trend is unfortunate for anyone named Karen, another group has been affected: women with bob haircuts. The choppy bob, especially with blonde highlights, is often labeled the “can-I-speak-to-the-manager haircut” or simply the “Karen haircut.”
This stereotype traces back to Kate Gosselin, the reality TV star from John & Kate + 8, who popularized a distinctive bob with uneven lengths in the front and back. As she gained a reputation for being demanding and entitled, her hairstyle became synonymous with the “Karen” archetype.
5. Tesla
A car is more than just a means of transportation; it’s a way to showcase your personality and, at times, flaunt your wealth. For this reason, cars are considered a form of fashion and deserve a spot on this list.
In recent years, no car brand has made a bigger impact than Tesla. Since its launch in 2008, this electric vehicle manufacturer has taken the world by storm. While Teslas are more eco-friendly than traditional gas-powered cars, many avoid buying them due to their opposition to the company’s CEO, Elon Musk.
4. Skinheads
The term “skinhead” has a fascinating backstory. Originating in 1960s London, it began as a movement among working-class youth rebelling against conservative norms. Known for their shaved heads and rugged attire, they embraced a punk-inspired aesthetic. By the 1980s, the movement peaked amid Britain’s political turmoil, splitting into factions—some aligning with far-right groups like the National Front, while others took a different path.
By the 1990s, the skinhead style gained traction in America among neo-Nazi groups. Despite efforts by organizations like Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice (SHARP) to clarify that not all skinheads were racists, the term and its associated fashion have been overshadowed by ties to white supremacy and bigotry.
3. Toothbrush Mustache
Commonly referred to as the Hitler mustache, this compact facial hair style fell out of favor for an obvious reason.
Before Hitler infamously adopted it, the toothbrush mustache was popularized in the U.S. by comedians like Charlie Chaplin and Oliver Hardy. Its low-maintenance appeal made it a favorite over bulkier styles like the handlebar and walrus mustaches, establishing it as a modern, sleek facial hair trend in America.
The style gained traction in Germany in the early 1900s as American influences spread, surpassing the Kaiser mustache, which featured longer, curled ends like those worn by Wilhelm II. Adolf Hitler likely embraced the look simply because it was trendy during his youth.
Another theory suggests a different origin. Alexander Moritz Frey, who served alongside Hitler in World War I, claimed Hitler trimmed his mustache to fit his gas mask more comfortably. While unverified, this explanation aligns with Hitler’s hospitalization following a poison gas attack during the war.
By the 1940s, the toothbrush mustache had lost its appeal among modern Americans and English silent film stars. Instead, it became associated with one of history’s most notorious figures. Despite attempts to separate the style from Hitler, his legacy ensures that few men today sport this once-popular look.
2. Trench Coats
The landscape of American schools changed dramatically in 1999 after two Columbine High School seniors killed 14 students and a teacher. The term “Columbine” became synonymous with school shootings, and an unlikely item of clothing—the trench coat—became linked to the tragedy.
Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold wore black trench coats during the attack, using the long, roomy jackets to hide their weapons and explosives. The pair were known for frequently wearing trench coats at school and were associated with a group called the “Trench Coat Mafia,” which dressed differently to distance themselves from the popular students who bullied them.
Following Columbine, trench coats became a symbol of suspicion. Many schools across the U.S. banned them, and in 1999, CNN reported that parents pushed for bans on trench coats and all-black attire, labeling them as “gang-related.” There was also speculation that Harris and Klebold’s unconventional style contributed to the bullying they endured, which may have played a role in their violent actions.
1. Red Hats
Donald Trump, arguably the most polarizing U.S. president in history, is closely associated with his supporters’ bright red baseball caps emblazoned with “Make America Great Again.” For many, these hats are a bold statement of loyalty to the 45th (and 47th) president.
However, for others, the hats are seen as divisive or even offensive. A New York Times piece titled “Does This Red Cap Make Me Look MAGA?” highlighted a Cincinnati Reds fan who stopped wearing his team’s red hat to avoid being misidentified as a Trump supporter. The article also noted that many Americans avoided red caps altogether to prevent being associated with a movement they found troubling.
Even some Trump supporters have admitted to ditching their MAGA hats due to the backlash. One voter shared that he stopped wearing his hat because it often drew disapproving looks and sneers.
Once Trump leaves office in 2029, the red hat may lose its political connotations and return to being just a piece of apparel. Until then, it remains a potent and controversial symbol.
