Micro-bangs, socks with sandals, maximalist outfits: Youth in Singapore weigh in on fashion trends

SINGAPORE – Some youngsters are rocking bright neon green jackets in Singapore’s hot weather, and going to proms in sneakers paired with suit and tie. But not all their peers are on board with these fashion choices.

TLDR took to the streets to ask young people for their take on some of these trends.

Return of old-school haircuts

Haircuts dating all the way back to the 1950s are back in style, but not everyone is fond of them. 

One such style is the mullet, often described as “business up front and a party in the back”.

In the past, it was said to be the haircut for soldiers, with its long back serving as a neck warmer for those at war, and the front shaved short for safety. The hairstyle then became a fashion statement in the 1980s to mid-1990s among rock-and-rollers and the LGBTQ community. The trend slowly went out of style after it was seen as a fashion faux pas or a relic from the 80s.

But it resurfaced in 2023, with the hashtag “mullet” on TikTok garnering over 800,000 videos to date, as the young generation post videos of themselves at barbers and salons. Celebrities like rapper Doja Cat and singer Miley Cyrus rocked the cut, further influencing many to do the same.

Micro-bangs, on the other hand, trended in the 1950s, reportedly due to the influence of British actress Audrey Hepburn’s iconic pixie cut. The hairstyle recently made a comeback, with pop stars like Olivia Rodrigo and supermodel Bella Hadid taking the bold step of embracing the look.

With the vintage styles making a comeback, what do young people in Singapore think?

Hwa Chong Institution student Desiree Tan, 18, said: “I know some of the fashion models in Singapore have micro-bangs. If you’re a high fashion model, you can pull it off, but most people can’t – I personally would not try it.”

The same goes for Vyshnavi Bodipudi, 16, from Dimensions International College. “Micro-bangs are a no-go for me. The short bangs don’t hide the forehead, (which defeats the purpose) because bangs are meant to do so. Plus, the bangs start to look awkward when they grow out,” she said.

Her schoolmate Akash Tushita Adhao, 17, does not like the mullet. “I think mullets look too old-style. Not everyone suits this hairstyle because it depends on your face shape.”

Colourful and bold with maximalism

Maximalism in fashion is all about bright colours and clashing textures, patterns, and hues. The bold aesthetic is meant to be attention-grabbing, symbolising audacity.

The Instagram page @orchardroadfashion, which has about 146,000 followers, is known for featuring people walking around Orchard Road in maximalist outfits.

One of the videos there shows a man wearing overalls paired with a colourful striped long-sleeve shirt and a pair of futuristic sunglasses. Another person is dressed in a denim vest layered over a coquette-style top with baggy jeans, and wears a large pearl necklace and a blue bandana.

Celebrities known for their maximalist styles, such as rapper Lil Nas X and singer Billie Eilish, have sparked conversations about their styles.

On a Reddit thread about Billie Eilish’s outfit at the Golden Globe Awards 2024 – an oversized blazer and thrifted skirt – one netizen commented that “the colours look awful together and the top and skirt don’t go together”, while another applauded her confidence.

Celebrities have been pushing the boundaries of red carpet fashion since the 2010s, such as American pop star Lady Gaga and her controversial meat dress at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards. Social media has played a major role in amplifying the global influence of these bold fashion statements. 

Desiree, the Hwa Chong student, pointed out that maximalist fashion may not be the most practical, especially when “compared to owning a capsule wardrobe where you can re-wear your outfits often”.

“You can only wear maximalist outfits once or twice, then get sick of it soon after,” she added.

A 22-year-old student from NUS, who wanted to be known only as Ms Dakshinnaah, took a different stand: “I think maximalist fashion looks nice, it’s a pop of colour. I personally may not be able to (wear it), but I look up to those who can confidently pull off (bright and bold outfits).”

The socks-and-sandals duo

This combination is another recurring fashion trend that originated in a global trend in the 2010s – athleisure, which is a portmanteau of “athletic” and “leisure”.

Socks with slides or sandals were then popular among athletes, mainly for comfort and convenience, as they could easily slip out of the rubber footwear and switch to running shoes. 

The trend resurfaced in Singapore over a year ago, but this time as a fashion statement rather than sportswear. Crocs also made a comeback in 2022 – again, mainly due to social media influence – fuelling the trend of socks with rubber clogs.

However, not all teens are on board with the trend.

Li Zi Qing, 18, who is a sports player from Hwa Chong Institution, said: “Sports and slides are convenient to me, especially when going for sports training. But wearing them together every day may be a little off-putting too since it clashes with outfits.”

Vyshnavi, the student from Dimensions International College, said that the pairing “is quirky, and I feel like it’s only for those below the age of 10”, pointing out that many people likely owned a pair of Crocs dupes when they were young.

Sneakers with dresses and suits

Sneakers have been the go-to footwear for younger generations since the 2010s. Originally popularised in basketball during the 1980s, they evolved from streetwear to luxury fashion. But the question remains: Where should we draw the line when it comes to pairing sneakers with formal or dressy outfits?

“Sneakers go well with anything,” said Akash, the Dimensions International College student. While many agree with this sentiment, others believe that a range of shoe options might be more suitable.

Desiree said: “Sneakers look good with dresses, but it depends on the kind of dress. If you’re dressing up, it’s better to wear heels or ballet flats; but if you’re dressed more casual, then it’s alright.

“Sneakers with formal attire for men work well as long as the sneakers are not too flashy (or clashes with) the outfit,” she added.

Marcus Yeo, 18, who is studying in Australia, agreed that sneakers look good with dresses, but said they do not work well with suits.

“I’ve seen a couple of male friends who wear sneakers with a suit, I think they should just stick to formal boots.”