Trends come and go, but boomers knew that some trends would be out in no time at all. As they’re the older generation, boomers have seen so many different trends over the years and have no doubt called many stupid fads. Here are 18 trends boomers knew wouldn’t last.
Mullets
Mullets were initially embraced for their edgy look, where short hair at the front is compared with long hair at the back. However, this hairstyle did become a questionable fashion decision, especially as the trend resurfaced a couple of years ago. Boomers have often ridiculed it for its awkward in-between style.
Flammable Pajamas
Of course, flammable pajamas were not created intentionally. Before 1972, children didn’t have flame-retardant nightwear. This is supported by Green at Home, which writes, “Back in 1972, regulations were written to require children’s pajamas be flame retardant.” 1972 served as a huge wake-up call for safety regulations as standards were put in place.
Tanning Beds
Tanning beds were promoted as a way to receive a sun-kissed glow without the sun, even though health risks were involved. Tanning beds have been linked to skin cancer and premature aging, and this has highlighted the importance of also staying safe in the sun. Seeing the end of this trend meant people started to embrace their natural skin color.
The Goldfish-Swallowing Craze
Goldfish swallowing became a college craze in 1939. For example, American History writes, “One live goldfish, swallowed up by a Harvard freshman on a dare. Three weeks later it rose to three, and four days after that it jumped to 24. By the end of April 1939, the record for the number of goldfish swallowed stood at 101.”
Fanny Packs
Fanny packs used to be considered practical, but now they’re seen as a dated accessory where a person may even be laughed at for wearing one. Even though they were convenient, they were associated with being a symbol of tourism. Boomers knew they were right about the trend not lasting when revival attempts were made but were met with mixed reactions.
The Tamagotchi Obsession
These digital pets required constant care and taught youngsters responsibility in a unique way. However, boomers knew it would be short-lived when children became bored of using their Tamagotchi. These games were just the start of digital technology, and it’s dramatically improved over the years.
Jell-O Salad
The Jell-O salad was an odd combination, which is probably why it was short-lived. For example, Serious Eats writes, “Dish after dish of jiggly, shining gelatin, molded into rings, braids—even a jellied tuna salad in the shape of a fish.” It shows how food trends have changed over the years and is now looked back on in disbelief.
Heelys
Heelys merged sneakers with rollerblades, and this is exactly why boomers knew they wouldn’t last. Heelys would have caused many accidents and put a child’s safety at risk, especially if they didn’t have a helmet on. They were sold as being a unique blend between practicality and play, but the novelty wore off when safety issues arose.
Inflatable Furniture
Inflatable furniture became a peak trend in the mid-‘90s, as everyone wanted an inflatable chair. They may have offered a quick way to furnish a house, but they were also prone to leaks and weren’t that comfortable. Boomers guessed it correctly when the trend deflated as quickly as it inflated.
Stick-on Car Eyelashes
Science A2Z writes, “These things make your car a literal cartoon.” The broader public, including boomers, has always thought of the trend as tacky. However, some people still would’ve loved the idea of personalizing their car with these eyelashes. The trend quickly died out, as not enough people caught on to it.
Fitness DVD Obsession
Fitness DVDs promised an easy way to keep fit while at home. However, it wasn’t long until they started to collect dust as people became bored with doing the same workouts over and over again. Also, as technology has developed, people now have access to a diverse number of free exercises thanks to sites such as YouTube.
Jelly Shoes
Jelly shoes were popular for their bright colors and unique material, especially among children. However, they did become uncomfortable in warm weather, which made their feet rather sweaty. There have been some attempts at comebacks for jelly shoes, but they’ve been met with mixed opinions.
Clackers
Clackers weren’t the safest toy for children in the ‘60s and ‘70s. This is backed by CBC, which writes, “The real danger of clackers was that the balls would break, turning into flying projectiles. Occasionally they would even shatter, sending shards of plastic everywhere.” It shows just how much safety standards have evolved when it comes to toys.
Ties as Wide as a Runway
Wide ties were exaggerated fashion statements that now show just how extreme trends were back in the day. It also goes to show just how quickly fashion trends change, and this was certainly something boomers knew wouldn’t last. This extreme trend soon gave way to more subdued ways of dressing to keep outfits on the smarter side.
The Sock Bun Gone Wrong
This beauty hack promised to create neat hair buns but sometimes delivered awkward results. There was a lot of trial and error involved with this trend, and in the end, too many people gave up, deciding it wasn’t worth it. A deeper dive into this trend can stir conversations related to beauty standards and how people feel the need to conform.
The Segway
Fast Company writes, “Less than 20 years after the first Segway’s release, Fast Company has learned that the Segway brand will retire the last Segway as we know it.” The Segway became so unpopular that the company even stopped making them. This may be due to the fact that they became more of a niche product, usually for tourism.
Reality TV Talent Shows
During the early 2000s, television was nothing but reality TV talent shows on Saturday nights. It sparked many discussions on the nature of fame and the value of talent, as many people with zero talent were still becoming famous. This trend soon came to an end, mostly due to the public becoming bored of watching them.
Spray-on Hair
Spray-on hair offered a quick fix for hair loss, but it did leave some questionable results. It showed the lengths people were willing to go to in the name of youth. It also led to discussions on whether people should just accept that they’re aging and losing hair or whether they should fix it with cosmetic solutions.
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