Top 10 Decade Defining Fashion Trends of the 2010s

This decade saw the emergence of footwear brands that became known for one particular style or look. These brands are so well known for the shoes they make, that their names are synonymous with the style, like TOMS, Doc Martens, Crocs and Hunter boots. Kudos to these companies for creating household names and brand loyalty! While there are many copycat and look-alike brands out there that offer the same shoes and boots at a cheaper price, these companies prove that fashion is as much about showing off the name as it is about wearing the style.

While it's not a look that everyone is daring enough to try, high-waisted garments have made a huge comeback. From denim to spandex, from booty shorts to pencil skirts, we’ve seen the gradual heightening from the low-rise jeans of the previous decade to the form-fitting, hip-hugging, naval hiding style of today. What’s great about this trend is that high-waisted bottoms are super flattering on a variety of body types. Paired with crop tops, this look accentuates your curves; so if you have some you'd rather not show, you can opt for a longer top to tuck in without revealing any skin.

Whoever thought of blending distinctive fabrics into everyday wear by using them in subtle ways was kind of a genius. Adding a black leather trim to a lace chemise creates a gorgeous contrast, and combining seemingly mismatched textures can make any regular shirt look instantly like haute couture. What makes this trend so popular is its subtlety and versatility. Mesh cutouts are as wearable and as trendy in little black dresses as they are on yoga pants! We’re not sure how long this look will last, but we’re quite sure it’ll be one of the styles we remember fondly.

We all know that style is cyclical, but it’s not that often where we reach back further than 30 years. However, in the early 2010s at least, you may have seen the ghost of granny walking down the street in midi skirts, Oxfords, peter pan collars and rouged lips. You might have even taken it one step further and actually wore some of her clothes, like block heels and pearl necklaces. The continued popularity of “Downton Abbey” and the release of “The Great Gatsby” in 2013 probably contributed to the turn-of-the-century and flapper-inspired fashions. Even men started styling their hair after their grandfather’s World War II photos!

It’s time to give credit where credit is due. The advent of skinny jeans in this decade reigned in an entirely new way of dressing from the knee down. Thanks to skinny jeans, riding boots, ankle boots and ballet flats are now staples of every girl’s shoe closet. Before the skinny jean, women were stuck with a limited selection of often unflattering silhouettes that completely hid the ankle and made wearing winter boots a clunky and wrinkly ordeal. Although there are now many styles of denim cuts to choose from, we think that skinny jeans are going to stick around for a while.

Coachella and the other music festivals have brought back the bohemian look for the millennial generation. Whether at a concert or just hanging out, the boho chic look channels the ghost of Woodstock in the summer of ’69 and the romanticized gypsies of yore. Flower crowns, leather fringe, floppy hats, oversized beads and gladiator sandals can be worn at the same time or separately for a little more subtlety. Of all the trends on this list, this is the only look that has made a big splash in the world of interior decorating. Crocheted blankets draped over furniture, mismatched pillows and a riot of color choices are all part of the package for those who consider themselves true bohemians.

The one fashion statement that was long overdue for a comeback was facial hair. For the first part of this decade, the calling card for any male hipster was, of course, the hipster beard– ideally paired with a man bun. Carefully brushed and conditioned with beard oils that have old-timey scents like tobacco and sandalwood, these luscious face locks were badges of male pride. The man bun was the cherry on top; few complained when men stopped shaving their face and trimming their hair. It’s probably built into human DNA to find the rugged lumberjack-meets-caveman-look attractive. But tread cautiously, fellas, because all good things–whiskers included– can fall out of favor.

It’s the 2010s and we’re no longer getting physical with the passé workout gear of the 80s and 90s. The thing about modern sportswear isn’t only worn by members of the active population. A blend of street wear and gym gear featuring items like Nike’s neon trainers, sports jerseys, bomber jackets and sweat-wicking material, sportswear is seemingly more appropriate for hitting the town than for hitting the gym. What makes us know that this style is a shoo-in for longevity is that sportswear giants like Adidas, Reebok and Nike are totally on board with this evolution in active wear.

There’s no quicker way to feel old than to see a fashion trend you've already lived through circle its way around again. For 80's kids, the '90s, like, totally just happened; but the reality is that millennial icons like Kylie Jenner, Tavi Gevinson and Cara Delevingne are wearing them for the first time. Whether you’re a fan of Seattle grunge, or Drew Barrymore's flower child phase is your style inspiration, this decade has seen the emergence of a range of trends and looks, from beanies and flannel shirts, to ripped jeans and floral skirts, to choker necklaces and jelly sandals. It’s inevitable that most of these trends will fade out again, but then every fashion does, nostalgic or not.

Before we unveil our number one pick, here are a few honorable mentions:

Canada Goose Outerwear

Military Jackets

Designer Collaborations

Rompers/Jumpsuits

Peplum

Ombré Hair

Women love wearing them, men love seeing them, and high school principals all over are up in arms about them. We’re talking about the garment that revolutionized workout gear, that sexualized casual wear and that contributed to the popularity of jeggings, leggings, and all of the other comfortable-yet-fashionable bottoms. Whether you’re a member of the Lululemon obsession or you just adore Kate Hudson’s trendy Fabletics, if you’ve never had the feeling of a high quality synthetic blend wrapped around you in the most form-fitting, yet flattering way, your life has yet to know the true meaning of luxury. No matter how you feel about yoga pants not being real pants, there’s no question that the trend is here to stay.

Do you agree with our list? Which trends do you think we’ll remember from this decade? For more fashionable top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to MsMojo.