It has been 10 years since the colorful angst of 2014 fashion; and I propose that we bring it back. Now before you begin to rage, I ask you to put your pitchforks down and hear me out. Yes, 2014 was the year of horribly tight denim jeans, flower crowns and rampant Tumblr shoelace comments; but it was fun, wasn’t it? 

There was something so earnest about this era, wholesome, exciting and sustainable, sprinkled with a refreshing hipster aspect. Now, exactly 10 years later, I can’t help but notice the influx of distinctively 2014-esque slowly infiltrating modern fashion– and I couldn’t be happier about it.

Personally, I think that modern fashion is really missing that je ne sais quoi that made 2014 so unique; our soulless over consumption is not creating good outfits, but rather a boring hive mind that seems to squash individuality and creative expression.

2014 fashion, though routinely made fun of, centered around the idea of a green wardrobe; taking elements of fashion that have been repeatedly seen throughout history, and repurposing them to fit a given aesthetic. Some of the emerging aesthetics of this year included pastel goth, soft grunge, and anything that included hideously large statement jewelry and round sunglasses.

Nostalgic, right? No? I hate to see us disagree, reader, so I’ve created a small list of the most versatile 2014 trends you could still wear today (And not receive any questioning looks or horrified stares from 20 somethings who once wore the same thing!)

Band Tees

Admittedly, I have not willingly worn a band tee in a long, long time. Perhaps it was the frequency with which we wore them from 2014-2017 which made it quite tedious, but I digress. Bands tees are an incredibly fun and simple way to show off your music taste, and build more friends as a result. They can be styled with jeans (please, no skinny jeans.. I cannot state this enough) or those tennis skirts that were absolutely everywhere in 2014!

Beyond the androgyny associated with a simple t-shirt, band tees are also incredibly personal to the individual wearing it! In 2014, it wasn’t uncommon to see 3 separate people wearing the same Arctic Monkeys t-shirt in the span of three minutes. I propose that we bring this back; even better if we wear shirts with bands from the early 2010s! Is this an excuse for me to wear my tattered The 1975 shirt? Maybe! But I’m embracing the comfortability and individuality of this trend! You should too, reader. Who knows, maybe you’ll go viral on Tumblr…

Over-sized Denim Jackets

Now these… these transcended aesthetics and specific internet corners for niche fandoms. Oversized denim jackets were thrown over EVERYTHING in 2014, and I mean everything, reader. Often, they were paired with an equally oversized flannel shirt; which genuinely set up a nice contrast between fabrics and textures in an outfit. Denim evokes youth, an eagerness for the world around you; a spontaneity that requires a durable overcoat to last through your daily life.

In 2024, thrift stores are running rampant with over-sized denim jackets; as this trend goes as far back as the 1980s. This, however, is just another example of why 2014 fashion is so enjoyable; it rescued previous fashion trends from decades past, and made them reflective of the overall theme of rebellion and excitement associated with the youth at this time! We’re not so different after all, huh? 

Dr. Martens

Though Dr. Martens were originally created in 1960, my favorite use of them are in 2014, teenage fashion. Though 2014 was known to adapt the twee look of the 1960s, the use of Dr. Martens were completely unique, and influential on the brand as a whole. As I mentioned earlier, alternative styles were incredibly popular in 2015, and Dr. Martens was the perfect way to bridge the gap between each of them.

Typically, large, worn combat boots were popular; styled with skinny jeans (sigh) and leather jackets evoking the suave coolness of Alex Turner. However, if we were to incorporate these popular shoes into 2024, there are a plethora of options to choose from. In the last 3 years, fashion has seen the resurgence of Dr. Martens 1461’s; a whimsical, platform shoe that can be paired with just about anything. The brand is incredibly multifaceted; offering both vegan, and non-vegan shoe options to consumers!

While these are expensive (truthfully, way out of a college students’ usual budget) I think they’re a useful investment for all ages. Dr. Martens can be used in the workplace, as equally as they can in attending underground concerts with your friends! Or, at least, that’s what we thought teenagers and 20-somethings did everyday…

---

So don’t throw out your old, worn out Converse just yet! There’s still time to embrace this upcoming revival of 2014 fashion! Once you let go of the inhibitions associated with modern fashion (what even IS the “clean girl” look?) you will find that fashion, life, color, all of it, is unbelievably unserious and fun. Perhaps it can tap into a nostalgia you were not sure even existed; locked deep in the depths of your first phone, huddled between photos of One Direction and sad lyrics written overtop of a large grid that were so special to the era.

Fashion is amusing and ten years have already passed; why not make your pre-teen self happy in your ~aesthetically pleasing~ outfit?

Susie DiPietro is a senior English major, and creative writing minor at Holy Family University. She is currently a Senior Editor of Tri-Lite. Her interests include film, vintage fashion & music.