Nostalgic Crush: AI Predicts What Decade Will Inform Trends Next

From butterfly clips and low rise jeans to vintage-inspired shows such as "Daisy Jones and the Six" and "Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies," nostalgia-informed fashion and culture seem to be taking over today's trends. As all-consuming as this might feel, the March 1980 issue of Penthouse proves that it is not a new phenomenon at all. Reading Marjorie Rosen's "View From the Top" column "Bring Back the Sixties," it becomes clear that culture has been stuck in this cycle for many years. Asking AI about this recurrence reveals a bit more history on the trend, an apt overview of how archives fit in, and examples in today's culture we have all observed firsthand.

Excerpt, "View From the Top: Bring Back the Sixties" by Marjorie Rosen:

Once upon a time it was only Proust who remembered things past. Now everybody does. -Anonymous, a nostalgia buff.

Some love affairs should have been one-night stands. Sadly, the one we've been carrying on with the 1950s lasted an entire decade. During the stagnant seventies we've canonized Howdy Doody and Sandra Dee. We've danced to fifties tunes and watched fifties-type television shows (Happy Days, Laverne and Shirley). And, judging by our blind and jolly vision of that wonderful period, it's as though McCarthy, the Rosenbergs, and the Cold War never existed. In fact, from the way we've been telling and seeing it here in the seventies, the fifties were definitely the good old days. And maybe that's because the seventies really did replay the fifties in many ways; indeed, the two decades were equally vacant and displayed a similar lack of commitment and political thrust. It may be that when people put their caftans and Courrèges boots in mothballs, they packed their brains away as well.

So, for those of you overdosing on fifties nostalgia, convinced that if you hear one more reprise of Grease you're apt to cry into your crinoline, I have good news: on the eve of the eighties, the fifties are out; the sixties are in. Very simply and nonnumerically, the world seems to be developing a new nostalgic crush and even welcoming a new age of social responsibility that accurately mirrors the sixties.

The content below was generated using ChatGPT, and in the interest of transparency and learning, the heading represents the prompt that created it.

Discuss the cyclical nature of American fashion and culture when it comes to nostalgia for decades past.

The cyclical nature of American fashion and culture when it comes to nostalgia for decades past is a well-documented phenomenon. Every few years, a new wave of nostalgia for a past decade seems to sweep through American culture, influencing everything from fashion to music to film and television.

For example, in the 1970s, there was a resurgence of interest in the 1950s, with the popularity of rockabilly music and the emergence of retro-inspired fashion trends like saddle shoes and poodle skirts. Similarly, in the 1990s, there was a renewed interest in the 1960s, with a revival of hippie-inspired fashion and a renewed interest in the music and cultural icons of the era.

This cyclical nostalgia can be seen in recent years as well, with the popularity of 1980s-inspired fashion trends like oversized blazers, neon colors, and scrunchies, as well as a renewed interest in the music, films, and television shows of the decade.

One reason for this cyclical nostalgia is that as time passes, people tend to remember the positive aspects of past eras and forget about the negative ones. Additionally, as younger generations come of age, they may look back to the previous generation's cultural touchstones as a way to connect with their own heritage and history.

Another factor is that nostalgia for a particular decade can also be seen as a form of rebellion against the current cultural and political climate. For example, during times of political and social turmoil, there may be a renewed interest in the cultural touchstones of a more peaceful and prosperous era.

In conclusion, the cyclical nature of American fashion and culture when it comes to nostalgia for decades past is a complex phenomenon driven by a combination of factors, including the passage of time, generational shifts, and the cultural and political climate of the moment.

How can archival collections factor into this?

Archival collections can play a significant role in the cyclical nostalgia for past decades in American fashion and culture. Archival collections are repositories of historical materials, including fashion and cultural artifacts, that provide a tangible link to the past. By preserving these artifacts, archival collections allow people to access and study the fashion and cultural trends of previous eras, providing inspiration for new trends and designs.

In the fashion industry, designers often draw inspiration from archival collections to create new collections that incorporate elements of past eras. For example, a designer may study a particular decade's fashion trends and use them as inspiration for a new collection, incorporating updated versions of popular styles, fabrics, and colors.

Archival collections can also serve as a resource for museums and exhibitions, providing historical context for the fashion and cultural trends of a particular era. Exhibitions that showcase archival materials can educate and inspire visitors, helping to fuel the nostalgia for past decades in American fashion and culture.

Additionally, archival collections can play a role in preserving cultural heritage and identity, particularly for marginalized communities. By preserving cultural artifacts and documenting the history of underrepresented groups, archival collections can help to ensure that their contributions to fashion and culture are not forgotten or erased.

In conclusion, archival collections are an important resource for understanding and appreciating the cyclical nostalgia for past decades in American fashion and culture. They provide a tangible link to the past, inspiring new trends and designs, educating and inspiring visitors, and preserving cultural heritage and identity.

Per this trend, what past decade will we see used as inspiration next? Can you share some examples?

Predicting which past decade will be the next source of inspiration for American fashion and culture is difficult to determine. However, there are some indicators of potential trends. The cyclical nature of nostalgia suggests that there may be renewed interest in the 1990s or the early 2000s in the coming years.

The 1990s were characterized by a mix of grunge and hip-hop fashion trends. Key elements of 1990s fashion included oversized clothing, denim, slip dresses, crop tops, chunky shoes, and platform sneakers. The popularity of streetwear and athleisure also emerged during this decade.

As for the early 2000s, it was characterized by low-rise jeans, velour tracksuits, and chunky highlights. The decade also saw the emergence of reality TV, boy bands, and pop princesses like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera.

Recently, there have been some indications that the 2000s are already starting to inspire fashion trends. For example, low-rise jeans, which were a staple of early 2000s fashion, have been making a comeback in the form of wide-leg styles.

Some other examples of how past decades have been used as inspiration in American fashion and culture include:

• 1970s-inspired fashion, such as flared jeans, platform shoes, and paisley prints, which have been popular in recent years.
• 1980s-inspired fashion, such as neon colors, oversized blazers, and scrunchies, which have seen a resurgence in popularity in the last few years.
• The recent popularity of movies and TV shows set in the 1990s, such as "Stranger Things" and "Captain Marvel," which feature 1990s-inspired fashion and cultural references.

In conclusion, while it is difficult to predict with certainty which past decade will be the next source of inspiration for American fashion and culture, there are indicators that suggest the 1990s or the early 2000s could be the next trend.