Bringing back old trends and incorporating new trends, 2018 has been the year of fashion for sure. The return of “Dad Fashion” and the prominent styles of the ‘80s have accompanied the unexpected trends that have caused a shift in consumer culture and the fashion industry. In 2018, students were sporting a variety of versatile clothing, many of which contributed to the rise of comfort fashion. Several fashionable students were interviewed regarding their favorite styles from the last year. Below, The Rebellion identifies the top trends of 2018.

Mom Jeans

Both men and women of all ages have worn this simple yet versatile article of clothing in 2018. They are both comfortable and fashionable, for they can instantly transform any outfit into something more trendy. Many popular styles are often ripped, which adds a more edgy look to any outfit. Aside from just mom jeans, looser pants have become very trendy this year, and many of these pants are cropped and come in various washes.

“Mom jeans are becoming more popular because they’re so much more comfortable than skinny jeans, and vintage style is coming back, which includes mom jeans because they were trendy in the ‘80s,” junior Lang Delapa said.

Scrunchies

Essentials of the ‘80s and ‘90s have been slowly making a comeback, but 2018 was the year where they reached a peak in the fashion industry. This year, scrunchies were probably the most popular since the ‘90s, as they are not only worn in hair as a comfy and cute alternative to a standard ponytail, but they are also worn as a bracelet to accessorize an outfit and add a pop of color or design.

“I like scrunchies because they don’t give dents in the hair as easily and they are more comfortable on the wrists because they aren’t as tight,” senior Erin McAdams said.

Doc Martens

At the tail end of 2018, Doc Martens made a grand return to the typical high schooler’s wardrobe. Teens pulled their bulky boots out of the backs of their closets in the past fall and winter months to sport them with their chenille statement pieces and patterned pants. In past years, most followers of the Doc Martens trend wore the brand’s signature color: black. However, in 2019, fashion followers can expect a more diverse range of colors, as white continues to become more popular.

“I would say that people are starting to wear more ‘edgy’ clothes and chunky boots are a part of that style, which is why they’re becoming trendy again,” junior Zoya Malik said.

Denim

Although denim has always been a staple to everyone’s wardrobe, denim has been sported in many more ways than simple a pair of jeans. Denim jackets and skirts have become crucial for many people this year, as they are a simple and easy way to dress up an outfit. They are very versatile, as they come in various washes and can be ripped. Many of the jackets have fur in them, which is perfect for the winter. They can be thrown over dresses, sweatshirts or t-shirts to add to the street style vibe.

“I like them because they add style and they are easy to match with other outfits,” senior Mollie Moore said.

Dad Trainers

Many have paired a variety of outfits with a pair of shoes that have been coined “dad trainers.” The popular shoes, which are thick sneakers and are most popularly white, were formerly worn by mainly older men but have been taken over by younger generations. Some brands that have heavily endorsed such shoes include Adidas, FILA and Balenciaga, and celebrities such as Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid are constantly pairing these with a variety of outfits. Nike’s Air Force 1 are a similar style, and these are vital in many teen’s wardrobes as well who are looking to find a middle-ground.

“I love how different they are from most sneakers because they are bulky, but still go with everything,” senior Gianna Calisi said.

Flannel Hoodie

Although flannels and hoodies have always been popular, flannels paired with hoodies is a new addition to many people’s wardrobes. Starting as primarily a male trend, females have recently been sporting this easy way to stay comfortable and warm in the winter. Hoodies can be worn under flannels, or many teenagers purchases flannel hoodies from places such as L.L. Bean or Columbia.

“I like flannel hoodies because they are really comfortable and are easy to throw on in the winter,” senior Ryan Morano said.

Camo

From camo shirts and pants to camo shoes and accessories, camo has for sure been the pattern of the year. Camouflage instantly transforms any look and adds pattern to a once dull outfit. Whether the camo is on a headband or a large jacket, people have utilized this look in a multitude of styles and colors to add a unique touch to an outfit.

“I like [camo] because it’s so easy to style, but it can make an outfit so much more put together. A piece of clothing just becomes so much more interesting when there’s a pattern like camo,” senior Sam Thorsen said. “I think people are attracted to camo because it’s not a crazy, totally out there pattern. It’s relatively simple and can be styled so easily, and it can instantly make an outfit so much more interesting.”

Tiny Sunglasses

A look is never complete without proper accessories, and every year, different accessories come and go. This year, one accessory dominated the market: sunglasses. People were experimenting with all kinds of sunglasses—color, size and shape—this year. The tiny sunglasses trend took over Instagram, as the style once exclusive to just celebrities became a more mainstream fashion staple. People have experimented with different colors lenses and various shapes as well to elevate their look and social media posts.

“Tiny sunglasses can look very ‘70s and ‘80s, which is very much my aesthetic. I wore them a lot over the summer with many different outfits,” senior Lily Ahmed said.

Fuzzy Jackets

To bring the comfort fashion to a whole other level, fuzzy jackets have been worn over these comfy clothes. They are also used, however, as a stylish coat over a more dressed-up outfit. Teddy and sherpa jackets, which can come in a variety of colors like Urban Outfitters’ coveted jacket, are extremely versatile and can be dressed up or dressed down, depending on the intended look.

“Fuzzy jackets are in style because they’re so warm, but stylish at the same time, so it allows people to be super cozy yet fashionable” senior Katerina Konstas said.

Joggers

The recent surge in popularity of athleisure has spearheaded teenage and young adult fashion this year without a doubt. The popular sweatpants, joggers, have dominated daily attire. Joggers are extremely versatile, as they can be dressed up or down. They have recently been paired with tall socks over the sweats, which began the sock tuck trend. sweats tucked into socks trend.

“I always wear joggers because they are really easy to style and are comfortable yet fashionable,” senior Niall Kelley said.

Straight-legged Pants

Recently, teens have adopted classic office-job pieces, such as straight-legged pants in patterns of plaid, pin-stripe and gingham. The trend serves as a more comfortable alternative to skinny jeans, and they typically have higher-quality material, so teens get more wear out of their pieces. A subcategory of these types of pants is what is known as “paper-bag pants,” as they have a flared, high hemline and are tied with an accompanying belt. The trend adds a unique twist on every outfit, as it comes in a variety of fits and eye-catching patterns and adds sophistication to any look.

“They’re super fun to style, even with just a t-shirt and sneakers or if you add platform boots, it makes it a little more edgy which really brings it back to the earlier way of styling,” senior Ani Akopian said. “Patterned pants in general are a really easy way of putting together a cool outfit since most of the attention goes straight to the pants.”

High Top Sneakers

Although brands such as Vans and Converse have been popular for some time now, high top shoes were more popular than ever, especially from these brands. High top shoes can be paired with virtually any style pant of choice, as they are often worn with leggings, jeans, joggers or even sweatpants. They are worn by both males and females and are sometimes paired with tall socks.

“Vans seem to be new trend and for good reason. They go with everything, and they can be worn either as athletic sneakers of fashion sneakers. They’re extremely comfortable and easy to just throw on before leaving the house to go somewhere,” senior Natalie Buckley said.