10 Ridiculous Fashion Trends From History You’ll Be Glad Are Gone That Make Today’s Style Look Amazing

Fashion lets people show off their personalities, but wow—some old trends just went off the rails. It’s wild to think about the odd styles folks once wore, and honestly, you’ll probably laugh or cringe looking back at some of these.

Some of these trends seem funny, others are just confusing, and a few are downright uncomfortable. People back then really committed to some strange looks.

Here’s a list of 10 ridiculous fashion trends from history you’ll be glad aren’t coming back. You’ll see what people once thought looked amazing—and maybe appreciate how far style has come. Get ready for a few laughs and some “what were they thinking?” moments!

1) Towering Platform Shoes

Platform shoes used to reach ridiculous heights! In 16th and 17th-century Venice, women strutted around in chopines that sometimes hit a whopping 20 inches tall.

People didn’t just wear these shoes for looks—they used them to show off their status. The higher your shoes, the more important you appeared.

Walking in them? Nearly impossible. Women often needed help just to stay upright.

Honestly, it’s a relief that this trend faded away. Still, it makes for a pretty wild story in fashion history!

2) Extreme Shoulder Pads

Remember shoulder pads from the 1980s? They made shoulders look massive, and everyone wanted that bold, powerful shape.

These things were huge—sometimes hilariously so. Outfits looked almost cartoonish with those big, boxy pads.

Recently, designers have started bringing shoulder pads back, but with a modern twist. If you like retro styles, you might actually dig the new versions. They still turn heads, that’s for sure!

3) Corsets That Restricted Breathing

Picture wearing something so tight you can barely breathe. That’s what corsets did for centuries.

Women laced these up to get that dramatic hourglass waist. But corsets squeezed organs and made deep breaths nearly impossible.

Some women even fainted from wearing them too tight. Still, society kept the trend going, all for a specific look.

Fashion really made people pick style over comfort—and sometimes health.

4) Low-Rise Jeans

Low-rise jeans basically ruled the early 2000s. They sat so low, it felt like any wrong move would show off your underwear.

High-waisted jeans eventually took over because they’re just more comfortable and honestly, a lot easier to wear.

But here’s the twist—low-rise jeans are sneaking back into style! If you’re feeling bold or nostalgic, you can give them another shot. Just brace yourself for a real throwback.

5) Tight-Binding Codpieces

Believe it or not, codpieces were once a big deal for men. These padded coverings went over the groin, making a loud (and sometimes silly) statement.

Codpieces started out practical, but then people made them huge and tight to show off status. Can you imagine walking or sitting with one of those things strapped on?

Wearing them wasn’t just awkward—it sometimes hurt. Itching, sweating, and barely being able to move? No thanks. Glad that one’s gone!

6) Hobble Skirts

Hobble skirts made walking nearly impossible. They squeezed around your ankles so tight, you could only shuffle.

These skirts caught on in the 1910s, especially with wealthy women. It looked stylish, but moving around? Not so much.

Wearing one basically said, “I don’t need to walk fast.” Comfort definitely wasn’t part of the plan.

7) Massive Powdered Wigs

People used to wear wigs so big they looked like fluffy clouds on their heads. Sometimes, they even had to sleep sitting up just to keep their wigs in place.

King Louis XIII kicked off the trend to cover his baldness, and everyone else followed. These wigs became a symbol of power and style.

Folks even dusted them with scented powder to keep things fresh. Imagine walking around with a powdery, oversized wig today—would you ever want to try it?

8) Poisonous Green Dresses

Back in the 1800s, people loved bright green dresses made with arsenic. Yep, they literally wore poison.

Wearing these clothes could cause rashes, sickness, or worse. Some folks even got sick just by being near the fabric!

It’s kind of shocking that fashion ever put people at risk like that. At least your closet is a lot safer now.

9) Foot Binding

Foot binding was a real thing in ancient China, and it lasted for more than a thousand years. People wrapped young girls’ feet tightly to keep them small.

The process broke bones and bent toes underneath the foot. It caused pain, infections, and sometimes even worse problems.

Tiny feet meant beauty and higher status. If you had bound feet, people saw you as elegant.

Thank goodness this painful trend finally ended. No one should have to suffer for fashion like that.

10) Enormous Ruffs

You probably won’t believe just how massive ruffs got back in the day! These stiff, frilly collars wrapped right around the neck, sometimes sticking out so far they looked like a frilled fan.

They definitely made folks look fancy—maybe even a little ridiculous? I mean, imagine trying to eat dinner or turn your head with one of those things on.

People in the 16th and early 17th centuries loved to flaunt their style and wealth with these collars. The bigger the ruff, the more attention you grabbed.

Tailors made ruffs from layers of starched linen, which sounds like a laundry nightmare. Keeping them clean and shaped just right took serious effort.

Honestly, can you picture anyone actually wearing something so huge and stiff today? It’d be a real challenge!