The Five Weirdest Fashion Trends In Human History

By All That's Interesting | Edited By Savannah Cox

Published May 9, 2012

Updated February 12, 2018

The Weirdest Fashion Trends In Human History: The Mullet

The mullet hairstyle boasts a contrasting and distinct mix of short hair in the front and longer looking “tail” down the back. Prominent mainly in the 60s and 70s, this trend can actually (and unfortunately) be dated back to the 6th century Byzantine Era when rebels cut their hair to stand out among the Roman crowd.

The style’s popularity hit dizzying heights in the 1980s when musicians like Duran Duran, Billy Ray Cyrus, David Bowie, Sting and Bono sported the look. Why the name? Some speculate it has to do with the Beastie Boys’ reference to the term ‘mullet heads’.

The Weirdest Fashion Trends In Human History: Sagging

Sagging is the intricate style in which one wears their pants just below their waist to reveal a large portion of underwear. The trick, however, is not letting them drop. Many believe that the trend began in American prisons, as inmates weren’t allowed to wear belts due to fears that they would use the belts to commit suicide.

author

Established in 2010, All That's Interesting brings together a dedicated staff of digital publishing veterans and subject-level experts in history, true crime, and science. From the lesser-known byways of human history to the uncharted corners of the world, we seek out stories that bring our past, present, and future to life. Privately-owned since its founding, All That's Interesting maintains a commitment to unbiased reporting while taking great care in fact-checking and research to ensure that we meet the highest standards of accuracy.

editor

Savannah Cox holds a Master's in International Affairs from The New School as well as a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, and now serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Sheffield. Her work as a writer has also appeared on DNAinfo.