# Embracing Kitsch Fifties-inspired fashion & themes point to a love for flashy style. By [Katherinev123](https://www.trendhunter.com/katherine), Contributing Editor | Published Oct 25, 2011, updated Oct 26, 2011 | Category: [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/style-and-fashion-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/embracing-kitsch ## Key Figures - Trend score: 4.8/10 - Evidence articles: 7 ## What is the Embracing Kitsch trend? **Embracing Kitsch:** Fashion often alternates between classic, understated and polished pieces to more bright and bold styling. This year, fashionistas, designers and photographers are choosing the latter, with a bold and almost garish look being the coveted aesthetic. Fifties inspiration is taking the spotlight in this regard; this fashion era provides a plethora of kitschy and crudely colorful designs of which style mavens and fashion creatives can’t get enough. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 7 featured examples - Articles from: Mar 14 to Aug 22, 2011 - Published: Oct 25, 2011 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence) - Megatrends: [Nostalgia](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/nostalgia), [Youthfulness](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/youthfulness) ## Audience - Gender: 10% men, 90% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Themes within the Embracing Kitsch trend ### Retro Fashion The early 2000s embraced a love for flashy, bold and retro 50s-inspired fashion designs where increasingly more modern brands re-imagine and revive old elements of fashion from the past. ### Kitsch Style Kitschy and crudely colorful designs, particularly from the 50s and 60s, are gaining popularity among style mavens, fashion creatives, and photographers and becoming more prominent than classic, understated and polished pieces. ### Bold Color-Pop Aesthetics A new kind of footwear produced by companies such as Irregular Choice combines kitschy English sensibilities with Japanese 'Gothic Lolita' absurdity to deliver a fantastic blend of over-the-top shoes for both men and women. ## What the Embracing Kitsch trend means for industry ### For Fashion Fashion has always been a revolving door of trends and influences, with brands constantly re-imagining and remixing past designs and patterns to create new trends. ### For Footwear A new genre of footwear brands such as Irregular Choice, which mix kitschy English and Japanese 'Gothic Lolita' styles, is pushing the boundaries of what we understand as typical footwear designs. ### For Photography Today photographers around the world are using bright and bold set designs, as well as a maximalist pop color palette, to create unique shoots and bring retro styles back to the forefront of fashion. ## Trend signals for Embracing Kitsch Trend score 4.8 out of 10, from popularity 65%, activity 69%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 65% - Activity: 69% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Embracing Kitsch trend 7 featured examples from Mar 14 to Aug 22, 2011. - [Absolutely Absurd Heels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/irregular-choice): Irregular Choice's Spring/Summer Collection Will Stun You (Category: Fashion) Implication: There is a disruptive innovation opportunity for fashion retailers to curate and offer unique and eccentric shoe collections. - [Pink-Hued Beehives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/t-style-spring-2011): A Flirt in a Skirt in T Style Spring 2011 is Cheeky Retro-Modern Fun (Category: Fashion) Implication: Fashion brands can develop retro-modern collections and collaborate with culinary brands for thematic designs. - [Grungy Pop Star Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mademe-stussy-fw11): The MadeMe Stussy FW11 Lookbook Features Modernized Hippie Ensembles (Category: Fashion) Implication: Clothing brands and designers can use retro-inspired and eclectic styles to appeal to consumers looking for unique and statement-making fashion choices. - [50s Swimwear Shoots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/big-girls-by-the-pool): Ana Dias' ‘Big Girls By the Pool' is Cute and Classy (Category: Fashion) Implication: Opportunity for fashion designers to create retro-inspired swimwear collections. - [Kitschy Lounging Spreads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lost-weekend-by-miles-aldridge): Lost Weekend by Miles Aldridge in Wallpaper September 2011 (Category: Fashion) Implication: Using bold color schemes and retro-inspired fashion in photo spreads can help fashion brands create a unique identity and stand out in a competitive marketplace. - [Super Saturated Celebs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ghd-katy-perry-campaign): The ghd Katy Perry Campaign is a Blast From the Past (Category: Marketing) Implication: Innovative hair styling tools that can recreate iconic looks from different decades, catering to consumers' desire for versatility. - [Eclectically Printed Snowsuits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/syed-munawir): Syed Munawir Snaps Bold Styles for Collezioni Sport & Street (Category: Fashion) Implication: Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the skiwear industry by incorporating bold and unconventional prints in snowsuit designs. ## Recent trend clusters - [Scaled Restraint](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/small-luxury-watches) (Fashion) - [Sneaker Theater](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sneaker-theater) (Fashion) - [Ritual Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/ritual-systems) (Fashion) - [Athletic Styling](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/athletic-styling) (Fashion) ## Trending in Fashion - [Paisley-Shelled Collector Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paisley-shelled-collector-sneakers) - [Fruit-Inspired Digital Watches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/themed-wristwatches) - [Deluxe Beauty Advent Calendars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/classic-and-prestige) - [Modular Winter Wardrobes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/moose-knuckles-fallwinter-2026) All articles: [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion)