It’s interesting how fashion trends have come and gone over the years. One minute a particular item might give off the illusion of luxury and sophistication; the next thing you know, it is as outdated as a VCR.
Whether they are something you wear, drive, or own, many of the so-called status symbols of prior generations are now considered gaudy and brash. The following items are examples of some of these items that the younger generation finds flat-out ridiculous.
1. Fur Coats
An authentic fur coat made out of exotic animal fur used to be the epitome of the upper class. Well, the times have changed, and more and more people believe these fur coats are unethical and boycott the killing of animals for a fashion statement.
Designers now opt for synthetic or alternative options to get the same look without the evil looks from the rest of society. Still, those who choose the real thing may have people talking behind their backs about how ridiculous they look.
2. Exotic Pets
If you think back twenty-plus years, you might remember celebrities like Michael Jackson and Mike Tyson owning exotic animals. Tyson owned a couple of Bengal tigers, while Michael had his famous pet chimpanzee, Bubbles. Both were considered luxury items only for the wealthy.
Nowadays, owning these rare pets seems beyond impractical. Think about characters like Joe Exotic from the Netflix series Tiger King (2020). How many people want to be associated with these types of people? Unless you’re involved in a conservation or animal sanctuary, owning these animals seems classless.
3. Wall-to-Wall Carpeting
Given how much people love hardwood flooring in their homes, it’s hard to imagine them choosing carpet throughout their houses. However, having thick, lush carpeting in the living areas used to be in style from the ’60s to the ’90s.
In 2024, most new home buyers can’t wait to rip out old carpeting. Carpeting can be hard to clean and leave stains, so the outdated look is quickly being passed up for low-maintenance hardwood.
4. Gas-Guzzling Vehicles
There has been a growing trend of drivers swapping out their gas-guzzling cars for hybrid or all-electric vehicles. Even brands like Ford, GMC, and Chevrolet, once known for powerful V-8 engines, are building fuel-efficient vehicles for consumers looking to save money and help the environment.
There is still a market for larger SUVs and diesel trucks, but having a lifted Hummer when living in a big city is no longer the embodiment of wealth and the upper class.
5. Excessive Plastic Surgery
It used to be that only the rich could afford excess plastic surgery. Face lifts, nose jobs, plump lips, liposuction, and chest augmentations were all the rage until about 10 years ago. Then something switched. The natural look has become increasingly popular in recent years.
Now, don’t get me wrong, many men and women still get plastic surgery. But, the excessive plastic surgery that makes people’s faces look fake is becoming more of a laughing stock than a status symbol.
6. Deep Fake Tans
There was once a time when having an apparent fake tan showed the rest of the world how fancy you were. Only the most elite could have nice bronze skin during the dead of winter in New York City. Looking at some of the biggest stars of the ’70s to the early 2000s, you will see these gaudy fake tans.
Luckily, that trend is fading out. The fake orange skin looks trashy and can lead to skin cancer. You are much better off embracing your natural skin tone than looking like a worn-out leather glove.
7. Trophy Wives/Husbands
While I completely agree that age is just a number, it is always creepy when a much older man or woman dates someone half their age. Watching Hugh Hefner date a 20-year-old while he was in his ’80s was once considered a power move; it now just appears superficial and borderline gross.
Even celebrities like Leonardo Dicaprio and George Clooney, who were known for dating much younger women, have had people give them a hard time about their relationships. Clooney even settled down and married!
8. Excessive Jewelry
It is nice to pair an outfit with some lovely jewelry. A nice watch, earrings, or necklace can make you feel fancy and stand out. But, decking yourself out from head to toe in gold and silver can make you look tacky, and trying too hard to let everyone know you are someone special. Being subtle with your jewelry can actually make you stand out more than overdoing it.
9. Smoking
Smoking cigarettes used to be considered a classy act back in the day. Hollywood icons like Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, and Marlon Brando made smoking look sophisticated and elegant.
But, with the advancements in medicine and the knowledge that smoking is horrible for your body, fewer and fewer people smoke in 2024. Smokers are often shunned and forced to cross the street to enjoy their cigarettes. What was once considered cool, many people now consider gross and a waste of money.
10. Overdone Makeup
As mentioned before, the natural look is becoming more trendy than fake tans and plastic surgery. This is staying true when it comes to excessive makeup. Minimal touch-ups over flashy bright lipstick, vibrant eye shadow, and overdone eyelashes are becoming more popular today.
I imagine many people can get behind the trend of saving time every day putting on makeup that makes their skin break out.
11. Excessively Loud Car Speakers
I remember when I was in high school, the coolest kids had stereo systems in their cars that I could only describe as excessive. They would pull up next to you, and the bass from their speakers would be so loud that they would rattle your windows. It would often cost thousands of dollars to achieve such audio perfection.
Pulling up next to one of these cars now is annoying and can be illegal. Certain counties have noise ordinances, and a super loud car can be distracting. Besides, can you really enjoy your music when it’s that loud?
12.Over-sized Shoulder Pads
Professional women of the ’80s were big advocates of the shoulder-padded jacket. Nowadays, if you wear a power suit with shoulder pads, people would think you have just woken up from a 40-year coma. Clearly, the fad is outdated. Go through some of your parent’s photo albums, and ask your mom what she was thinking. I guarantee you will get a laugh out of it.
13. Fine China Displays
Why did everyone feel the need to display their fine china in the middle of their dining room? I’m convinced that no one ever used them, but they still feel the need to let their guests know they own fancy dinnerware.
I don’t know anyone under the age of 40 who puts their china on display. It comes off as tacky and a waste of space, and people are choosing not to spend money on it.
14. Lavish Mansions
One of the first things people say they would buy if they won the lottery is to buy a mansion. While that idea sounds like fun, it might get a little lonely living in a 10-bedroom home with multiple pools, gyms, tennis courts, and courtyards when it is just you and a small family.
Honestly, wouldn’t you think it would be weird to see a single person live in a massive home alone? Opting for a practical, fitting size home is more normal than a living space where you don’t go into most of the rooms.
15. Living Rooms You Aren’t Allowed To Sit In
Did your parents or grandparents have a living room where the furniture was too nice to sit on, and it was reserved for special company? Maybe the couches were even covered in protective plastic? Why on Earth would you waste a room for that?
You want your furniture to stay in shape, so blocking it off from a dog or small children is acceptable. But having a room that is too classy for ordinary guests to relax in is just plain silly.
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Source: Forum.
