Every generation has a fad that makes them stand out. From 80’s hair to 90’s Napster we’ve all got something we look back on and shake our heads. That’s the best part of it, they stood out in our childhood and teenage years and now we can look back and say, “Remember when…”. So check out this list of stuff that was super hot and now is not. Feel free to comment and add –on. We’ve all got a memory to look back on and sigh about.

Tomagatchi

This is for a younger generation obviously but was all the craze during the late 90’s. Every little kid had a virtual handheld pet.

 

Furby

Who could forget the furby? Even if you weren’t pint sized when they came out in 1998, the name Furby screams holiday craze. This little toy ushered in the phase of truly interactive pets. 

 

Macarena

This fad still haunts us to this day. Not only could you not forget the little Spanish men in the video, but the endless sound of the final “ahhayy” still resonates at weddings all across America.

 

Slap Bracelets

 Nothing says early 90’s quite like slap bracelets. Yes…  you remember, the ones you could get from the ice cream truck for $.10. You know the one you used to slap on and then uncurl and re-snap incessantly all day.

 

Push pops/Ring Pops

Who could forget the push-pop/Ring Pop craze? Tons of fruity flavors all easily accessible, I think the kids these days still have them. But no one can appreciate them quite as much as the older generation.

 

Fanny Packs

This is a perfect example of why the fanny pack should never be in style again!  Still quite popular amongst the older crowd, fanny packs scream uncool now.  They make your hips look wide, your stomach fat and your demeanor say I’m a loser! What were we thinking?

 

Beanie Babies

I guess you could call these little things a glorified beanbag. Although they’ve become a collectible they certainly with the “it” thing to have in the late 90’s.

 

Overalls
 

Overalls have tried to make small comebacks since their heyday and thank goodness that they haven’t. Nothing screams farmer in the city like a pair of overalls.

 

Lace Fingerless Gloves

Thanks to Madonna we have this horrible fashion memory. These were all the rage in the 80’s during the time of coned bra’s and the punk rock look that Madonna made famous among teen girls.

Pogs

If you’re an 80’s baby, I’m sure you remember this memorable 90’s game. Everyone collected them and played them, most of us not even really understanding the game at all.

 

Visible Thongs

Made popular by the singer Sisqo, the words “that thong, thong, thong thong, thong” will forever take us back to the days of Halle Berry on the red carpet with her thong out the top of her skirt.

 

Pokemon

I’m not really sure if Pokemon will ever go away, but the overwhelming hysteria over this little yellow creature has diminished quite a bit. Kids these days have more interesting things to watch and trade like Hannah Montana and Cheetah Girls.

Yo-yo

The yo-yo I’m sure will have a rebirth several times in my lifetime. But it’s sudden rise and then fall during both the 70’s and 90’s make this little toy a recurring fad.

 

Pez Dispensers

Although now somewhat of a collector’s item, Pez dispensers remind many people of their childhood across many generations. They were a cool statement and candy. What little kid could want more?

 

Hacky Sack
 

When I think hacky sack, I think “She’s All That” and kids in a circle kicking a ball. Hacky sack was the ultimate coordination tool back in the day.

 

Rollerblades

I suppose rollerblades are still popular amongst the Venice Beach neon short wearing crew, but for the rest of us rollerblading has gone out with our next entry.

 

Hammer Pants

I don’t think anyone really knows the real name of this style of pant, but they undeniably go hand-in-hand with MC Hammer. This horrible fashion statement screams 80’s like nothing else.
 

Leg Warmers

Footless socks that go over pants/leggings… I still don’t understand their true purpose past cankle inducing bad fashion.

 

Lucky Rabbit’s Foot

I genuinely hope that this fad didn’t’ start from a “real” rabbit’s foot. That would make all the people who walked around with them on their key chains very cruel people. How sad…

Skidz Clothing

Everyone remembers this clothing fad that brought us to traffic signs on our bodies. It was the time of the huge "yield" sign across your body.
 

Painted Jeans

You know you're an 80's baby if you remember splatter painted jeans. Not only were they the hot thing to have but how you wore them was also a fashion statement. Always rolled up always cool.
 

Global Hypercolour

Remember when you could get t-shirts that changed colors? Well thank goodness that we no longer wear them but hey it was fun getting hot and seeing your shirt change color.

Zubaz

The bodybuilding craze in the late 80's and early 90's is clearly marked by this fashion fad that spread like wild fire. Zubaz clothing were not only worn by body builders but were bright fun clothes that were originally meant to expand and contract with the body during a work out.

 

There you have it 23 fads that marked the 80s and 90s. 23 reasons why history shouldn't always relive itself. Although gone they are certainly not forgotten. So go ahead get your old photos out and reminisce on the ugly fashion statements and fun times you had.