How Student Dress Styles Have Changed Over the Decades

Only because students are too busy with their college assignments, tests, and exams, we should not assume they care less than others about what they wear and how they look.

Research shows that more than half of teenagers worry about their looks. I think it is safe to assume that this has always been the case.

In this article, I take a closer look at how the student dress style has evolved over the past decades. My focus is on the years following WWII.

While fashion trends like to repeat themselves over and over again, it has been a fascinating journey throughout which students make every effort to be in tune with the chicest trends in the fashion world.

The fifties

Coming out of the most horrible war humanity had ever seen, the world was still reeling from the aftermath. The student community was just beginning to develop new trends in dress styles, although options were obviously limited.

This was a time when schools, colleges, and universities were adopting their own dress codes for students.

The rules were particularly restrictive for female students, as they were allowed to wear skirts with hems below their knees. No pants were allowed.

The only option for girls to diverge from these strict rules and ‘rock n roll’ a bit was to try something different over the weekend.

The renowned poodle skirts of the decade were essentially plaid, felt skirts that would go with sweaters or blouses. 

The sixties

No major changes ensued in the early decade. But since this was the time of the Beatles, the Hippie Movement, and the sexual revolution, some students started to challenge established norms by going more casual.

While most female students continued wearing formal dresses, many started opting for bell bottoms and hip-huggers to look cool. These would be paired with sleeveless blouses or sweaters. 

The seventies

The decade saw major breakthroughs in student fashion trends. The disco era prompted girls to go for brighter colors and flashier prints. Their wardrobes now looked to have wider choices too.

It was all but in the spirit of the times that dresses got shorter. Midi and miniskirts became the order of the day, as jeans also dominated both formal and informal occasions.

Many college students started looking for professional help as their college workloads became larger and more manageable.

However, for those wondering, ‘Who can write my research paper to save time and avoid missing my deadline?’ options were not that many. With no online services available, they had to rely on themselves by and large.   

The Eighties

Bright colors continued to hold sway as students became more brand aware. The trends that emerged in this decade manifest themselves in new ways to this day.

Power suits were seen as a way of self-expression and self-realization. Lots of student girls started wearing leggings and stir-up pants as fitness became a new trend in its own way.

The nineties

The dawn of grunge in music and fashion. Female students took pains to look more relaxed in their lifestyle and attitude. Colorful and bright dresses gave way to baggy jeans and pants.

Silk shirts, skirts, and flannels became staples in girls’ wardrobes. Influenced by pop icons, many started wearing mini-slip dresses, strap tops, and maxi skirts.

Some educational institutions would still enforce a university dress code. Overall, they were not as strict as before. Students had more freedom to choose their own style and look with far less interference from college administrators.

The noughties

The decade saw throwbacks to forgotten trends. Shiny halter tops, pocketless jeans, and tracksuits were common choices. Velour pants and jackets also became commonplace.

Hip-hop and preppy looks emerged in this decade, and they are still relevant to this day.

Twenty tens and on

The decade saw a lot of blending and mixing. Many trends became intertwined, and girl students started fusing various styles to look different. Sportier, skinny looks and silhouettes are now in fashion. 

With the emergence of online essay writing services, students can now save a lot of time by hiring professional writers. Many order essay writing services with reputable websites.

This gives them more time and freedom to devote to their looks on and off campus. 

The priority is about being diverse rather than being associated strictly with any particular trend. Many female students opt for retro, thrifted clothing, or basic dresses.

The era of social media now controls what they were, as the generation of e-girls takes cues from their TikTok icons. 

Key Takeaways

Fashion likes to repeat itself over time. Decades ago, students had to face much stricter dress codes and norms imposed by colleges. The rules became more flexible over time.

Female students now have much more freedom in choosing a style and looks that help them express themselves in the most telling and unique ways.

Melony Hart has been following student fashion trades for decades. Being a devoted fashionista herself, she tracks both current and past trends that are often intertwined in many interesting ways.

She makes her reviews lively and engaging, which has earned her the reputation of being one of the most widely read writers on college fashion.