Surprisingly, as soon as fashion trends are forgotten by older generations, they come around full circle, turning into the hot buys for youngsters of the new generation. From poodle skirts to hippie dresses, fashion of the 20th century remains present in today’s popular styles.With the sudden popularity of floral prints, jean jackets, loafers and partly-shaved hair, 70s and 80s trends have surfaced to the top of the cycle. Although teens aren’t parading down the street in southern belle gowns, they are bringing the sexy back in everything from greaser to hippie to hipster. In 2011 teens are piling their closets — or floor — with an accumulation of favorable fashion trends of the 20th century.

Give Prints a Chance

Going to go mimic the 80s flower child and 90s girl-next-door with crop tops, flowers, and long flowing skirts? Leave your sense of urgency and alarm clock behind and hum “give peace a chance” while pondering why Full House was cancelled.

Floral Prints

What ever happened to your mother’s flowered blouses sharpened with shoulder pads? Often any favorite pieces of a parent are shoved way back in a drawer, but the flowers don’t need to disappear as well. Floral prints add texture and grace to an outfit. When juxtaposed with a solid color, they are classic without being too blatantly feminine. People flock to big chain stores like Forever 21 and Macy’s to catch onto this trend from the past, but if you seek something graceful that has been a little more “loved,” try Goodwill. Floral treasures stack the walls for the resourceful and thrifty teen.

High-Waisted Skirts

Paisley print versions of this skirt dominated rural prairie clothing during the 1800s, whereas ruffled and lace styles were trendy during the early 1900s. Recently, the hippie-love-child version of the flowing high-waisted skirt became popular again in the 70s. Today retailers like American Apparel and second hand stores like Crossroads Trading Co. sell this style as a comfortable and more conservative alternative to curve-hugging bandage skirts and leggings. Whether in basic colors or pleated textures, the modern maxi can be perfect for all seasons. In winter, this fad can be belted with a knit sweater and, if the sun ever comes out in the city, these skirts with tucked-in tank tops or tee’s are the perfect combination.

Crop Tops

The classic 90s sitcom hosted many a young woman wearing a t-shirt that looked like a serious case of shrinkage. Crop tops have returned — hopefully to stay — with their midriff-baring splendor. Both short-sleeved and long-sleeved crop tops are available at Urban Outfitters, but if you are searching for a slightly less pricey version, try the thrift stores on Valencia Street for more unique variations — as when someone took scissors to their vintage band t-shirt. When paired with something waist high, these fluttery tops make for a cute throw-on outfit. Feeling more daring? Lower your waistline to bare that new belly button piercing.

The Retro Badass

If you’re planning on hanging out south of Market with a fake ID, there are certain style rules to be followed to make your appearance perfect. Remember the T-Birds strutting down the halls and checking out the Pink Ladies in Grease? If you weren’t exactly paying attention during their fierce rendezvous, you can still seeremnants of 50s style today.

Leather Jackets

Leather jackets remain the most bodacious clothing statement there is for both women and men. Paired with anything from jeans to skirts, the leather jacket is back in black (or brown or gray) so you can show your inner John Travolta or Olivia Newton-John. Want to be fierce without killing a cow? In our modern era, many jackets are made of faux leather but look just as “born to be bad” as their live animal counterpart. Find them at thrift stores on Polk, or stroll into Joppa or Cotton On to find yourself a deal.

Dr. Marten’s

If you’re already wearing a leather jacket, vintage florals and button-up shirts can be a cute match — but, Dr. Marten’s add a new level of badass to any outfit. Once worn by soldiers in World War II, the clunky combat boots stomped their way into the wardrobes of punks and now are strolling into the shopping bags of teens looking for cool vintage designer brands. If basic black doesn’t cut it for you, the re-envisioned Dr. Marten’s offer an array of colors and patterns like neon and metallic, fit for any guy or gal with an edge.

Funky Hair

When singer Cyndi Lauper rocked a half-shaved head circa 1980, loud and expressionistic hairstyles were mostly sported by angst-filled musicians and rebellious members of the punk movement. Now you can ditch the leather jacket, fishnets and feathered bangs that used to accompany this hairstyle — called the undercut — and let this bold hairstyle flaunt itself. Shaved hair designs have changed drastically since striped patterns were buzzed into the sides of mullets ála Billy Ray Cyrus. Today, anyone with steady hands, hair clippers, and a risky taste in fashion can shave words, patterns and shapes into long and short hair alike. Don’t be shy — part your hair to one side and shave the other half off. Or, have the name of your favorite sports team, striped and zig-zagged designs, or even the Golden Gate Bridge temporarily inscribed onto the artistic canvas of your head.

Channeling Lady Gaga’s red lace

If you’re planning on hanging out in Lovejoy’s for high tea while you write poetry, hit up your grandparents’ wardrobe for 1920s lace, chunky sweaters and classic leather shoes.

Lace

When buying into the lace trend, it is important that you don’t end up looking like a doily or a tacky 80s bride. Once worn as a classy cover-up at the turn of the century, lace ironically turned revealing during the 80s. The fad has infiltrated everything — think vintage meets tank tops, even inspiring leggings solely made of lace in stores like H&M and Forever 21. Although lace isn’t made into parasols and veils as it often as it was during the Victorian era, it adds a delicate, feminine and see-through touch to any outfit.

Boat shoes and Loafers

Add a bit of preppy to today’s more ragged trends. Although pricier than your average Converse, boat shoes and loafers feel comfy, and, for some reason, look more and more stylish as they get worn. You may feel like a yacht owner or a professional polo player while wearing them, but when paired with denim and more casual articles (as opposed to slacks and a cashmere cardigan), they add a classic attitude to the mix. As for guys, cardigans and plaid collared shirts make the perfect grandpa-chic outfit when accompanied with these Mad Men shoes. Don’t feel like spending the money? Hit up some of San Francisco’s vintage stores like Wasteland or Static for a reduced price. Don’t worry, gentlemen, the styles of boat shoes and loafers were originally intended for men, so all sexes can pull off wearing a pair of Sperry’s.

Chunky Sweaters

It’s time to raid your grandparents’ closets and dust the mothballs off oversized sweaters. Whether you wear a patterned knit one with leggings or tight skinny jeans, heavy sweaters are the perfect way to stay warm in the ever-present San Francisco fog. The racks of Urban Outfitters, that tasteful hipster kingdom, overflow with vintage-inspired sweaters while second hand stores like Mission Thrift offer cheaper versions straight from the 80s.

Guys — feeling a little bit lost? Lots of these trends (with the exception of skirts, crop tops and, perhaps, lace) are meant for you as well. Bulky cardigans and worn leather shoes look fabulous on most, and topped with a cool head shaved design are reminiscent of the stylish San Francisco homeboy. Make sure the design is clear; you don’t want your mother thinking you’ve gotten a gang sign shaved onto your head!

Just as history often repeats itself, so does fashion: from your great-grandmother’s home on the prairie to the woolen oversized purple sweater your mother wore when she met your dad, classic fashions can beat the clock.

A version of this article first appeared in the Oct. 7, 2011 print edition of The Lowell.

Illustrations by Vivian Tong

Photos by Elena Bernick

Models: Mari Galicer, Jacob Garson, Sara Mon, Natalia Arguello-Ingis