6 Weirdest Fashion Trends in History That Actually Happened
Fashion is constantly changing. While ripped jeans are now all the rage, older generations are appalled at buying jeans that have seemingly been destroyed. Fashion trends in history have been good and bad, with some clothing still popular today. However, some of the weirdest fashion trends in history have stayed firmly in the past, whether due to poisonous materials used, unhealthy practices, or a lack of comfort. Keep reading to learn more about these six weird fashion statements.
6. Crackow Shoes
Starting our list of weird fashion trends in history is Crakow shoes. Popular between the 12th and 15th centuries, Crakows were shoes with long and pointed toes. The style originated in Kraków, Poland, where the shoes got their namesake. While men and women wore the shoes, the men’s toes were much longer. Men were considered more wealthy if they wore long-toed shoes, but they were banned entirely in 1465. The shoes were nearly impossible to walk or pray in, and were deemed tacky.
RELATED: 6 Fun Facts About Fashion Brands You Love
5. Hobble Skirts
Fifth on our list of fashion trends in history is the hobble skirt. A short-lived fashion trend from 1908 to 1914, the hobble skirt greatly limited women’s mobility and freedom, forcing them to “hobble” around. The skirt was any kind with a slight enough hem that limited stride length. The French designer Paul Poiret claimed the pieces “freed the chest and shackled the legs,” steering away from corsets and instead to slim skirts. Unfortunately, the hobble skirt caused many deaths, as women could not flee properly, and lost popularity in World War I.
4. Bare Bosom
Next on our list of weird fashion trends in history is the bare bosom. Before the “free the nipple” movement came around, there was a brief time in the 15th century when showing off your chest was all the rage. Extremely low-cut gowns for women presented fully visible breasts and were seen as high style. This trend was limited to the nobility and lasted a few decades. The style arose because noble ladies seldom breastfed their children, leaving their breasts perky and youthful for longer.
CHECK OUT: 6 Most Expensive Designer Jewelry Brands
3. Foot Binding
Rounding out the top three weirdest fashion trends in history is foot binding. Probably one of the most painful fashion trends on our list, for nearly 1,000 years in ancient China, small feet signaled elite status and feminine beauty. This look was achieved through foot binding, where young girls’ feet were tightly bound to stunt growth. The painful process often led to mobility issues and lasting deformities as the toes and bone structure were smashed together.
ALSO READ: 6 Forgotten Royal Scandals That Shocked the World
2. Codpieces
Second on our list of weird fashion trends in history is the codpiece. During the Middle Ages, aristocratic men donned codpieces. The height of manly fashion, codpieces were carved, padded pouches that accentuated the genital area under their hose. Over time, these pouches become oversized and ornate, with some even shaped like fruits or animals to show off the man’s wealth.
1. Blackened Teeth
Last but not least on our list of weirdest fashion trends in history is blackened teeth. During Queen Elizabeth I’s reign, black teeth were considered attractive. Nobles would lather their teeth in a lead and egg mixture or use other toxic methods to blacken their teeth. This was partly due to the rise of sugar and sweets that Elizabethans consumed, which turned their teeth dark with decay. Queen Elizabeth even dumped rancid honey on her gums to achieve the look, as sugar was a rare commodity during those days.
READ NEXT: 10 Most Famous Historical Couples
More About:History