Throwback Threads: We Wore What?!
Before fast fashion and Amazon carts, we were decked out in styles that defined our generation — brands that screamed cool even if they were bought on clearance. We asked y’all: “What clothing brands did you wear growing up that kids today probably don’t even know exist?” The answers? Pure 90s and early 2000s gold.
👖 Denim That Spoke Volumes
Back when jeans were either skin-tight or impossibly baggy, brands like JNCO, Girbaud, and Duck Head were the backbone of every closet. JNCOs gave off a “don’t mess with me” skater vibe, with pant legs wide enough to double as sleeping bags. Girbaud jeans were peak hallway fashion with their thigh tags and weird-but-cool fits. And if you were from the South, Duck Head khakis were practically a school uniform — the preppy, buttoned-up cousin to the denim chaos around them.
👟 When Sneakers Made a Statement
Shoes weren’t just shoes — they were your personality. LA Gear had us walking on sunshine (and sometimes lights), while British Knights made you feel like the freshest kid at the skating rink. Keds were for the girls with Lisa Frank folders and curled bangs, while Reeboks and Pony sneakers carried just enough cool to make gym class bearable.
🩳 Sporty, Shiny, and Slightly Loud
If your shorts didn’t blind someone in the sun, were you even trying? Umbro ruled the scene — even if you’d never touched a soccer ball, you wore those silky shorts with pride. And skorts? They were the ultimate power move: the freedom of shorts with the look of a skirt. Perfect for recess or rollerblading down the driveway with your Walkman.
👕 Tees and Tops That Told the World Who You Were
This was the golden age of statement shirts and mall brand flair. Mudd gave angsty teens the perfect mix of edge and sparkle, while B.U.M. Equipment let you pretend you were a chill California surfer. DELiA*s catalogs were practically gospel — you circled entire pages and prayed for a birthday miracle. And Hypercolor? A shirt that changed color based on your body heat sounded genius… until you realized sweat did the same job.
✂️ Hand-Me-Downs & Homegrown Threads
Not every outfit came with a logo. Plenty of y’all grew up in homemade clothes, stitched by loving hands — from frilly Easter dresses to sturdy denim patched at the knees. Others rocked hand-me-downs, where “fashion” meant whatever still fit from an older sibling or cousin. It wasn’t glamorous, but it had heart.
And to wrap it all up, Jessika Rose said it best:
“When I was a kid, Champion was poor and Reebok was name brand. Now it’s flipped.”
Fashion always evolves — and what once got you teased might now be top shelf. So keep those throwback pics close… your Umbros might be vintage gold before you know it.
💬 What brand did YOU rock back in the day that would confuse Gen Z today? Drop it in the comments and keep the throwback thread going!
