Ask Angie + Everyone: Pinning down 'Retro Futurism'

I keep seeing references to 'Retro Futurism', and I've searched and read through assorted articles on YLF, but I'm still not quite certain what, exactly, this theme encompasses. I know there's a 70's-retro context, but otherwise, I'm at a loss. What is the 'futurism' part? I keep expecting to see a sci-fi sort of element, but so far, I haven't.

What are your thoughts and expectations of Retro Futurism? Can anyone post some visual examples? Thanks in advance!

10 years ago

Dressing

13 replies

Latest reply was from Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Retro Futurism was a term used to describe the Fall 2015 Prada Show in Feb this year. Watch the show:

http://www.vogue.com/fashion-s.....wear/prada

Here's another write-up about it:

http://news.yahoo.com/colors-c.....13203.html

The trend combines looks from past eras (from the '20s through to the '90s) - hence the Retro part - and adds a big dose of Modern, for the Futuristic part. It's that simple! I am all over this trend. It's my favourite part about fashion at the moment.

10 years ago

Beth Ann

Veteran

LBD: Thanks for asking the question. And thanks, Angie, for the links!

10 years ago

Anonymous

I've been a bit puzzled by that term, too. Thanks for asking, LBD, and for answering, Angie.

10 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, LBD and Angie, thanks for the links!

10 years ago

Anonymous

Glad you asked. I couldn't wrap my head around it either - and in fact still think the words aren't quite right. I too expect to see a sci-fi element every time I hear the words. Anyways - it's less complicated than I thought.

10 years ago

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

Thanks Angie, and everybody, for the replies! I looked at the links - I get it now! The use of 'futurism' threw me off - I really was expecting something more outer-space themed in idea. Very fun!

So is this look or trend entirely disassociated from a more Bohemian 70's idea? Is 70's Retro Futurism that sort of later 70's disco glam? (Loni Anderson in "WKRP in Cincinatti" always comes to mind).

The Prada show makes me think of ladies who lunch, not women who put flowers in the barrels of soldiers' guns.

10 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Suz, Beth Ann, Xtabay and Lisa, Modern Retro is probably a more accurate description - but you know - "Futurism" has a lot more hype to it! Modern though, runs on a continuum from Current to Futuristic, so take your pick. I LOVE THIS TREND.

LBD, you can add the outer space aspect if you want to. Why not! And no - Retro Futurism is not dissociated from '70's Boho at all. ANY Retro look is part of this broad trend in my book. Steam Punk could be a subset of it too.

Think Retro, and add a whole lot of Modern.

10 years ago

Anonymous

Ah. Words are everything - and subbing Modern makes all the sense in the world to me.

10 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Yes, once I realized that the future is now I grew to love and appreciate the term :-).

10 years ago

Anonymous

I'm on board with that. Makes more sense with the "modern." It will be a good challenge to come up with something to wear to reflect this trend.

10 years ago

approprio

(website)

Veteran

Aha. This will be fun to play with my vintage coats. And to think I almost got rid of them this season. Really need to nail the cropped flares...

10 years ago

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

To give you some more context, in pop culture and literature, retro-futurism has to do with the vision of the future held by people in the past. Think those "homes of the future" from 1950s film reels.

Steampunk falls into this category because it's largely based on the future as predicted by writers like H.G. Wells and Jules Verne. Other pop culture examples include the Fallout games (set after a nuclear war that happened in a 50s-ish world with atomic cars and household robots), Disney's Tomorrowland (and the original vision of Epcot), the Jetsons cartoon, and Back to the Future's 2015 with its 80s-influenced neon and hover boards.

It makes sense that, with fashion, the edges get softened as a trend enters the mainstream, so the "retro" becomes less costumey, and the "futurism" falls back toward modern.

10 years ago

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

Ah, Jenn, you summed up what was dancing around the fringes of my thoughts! I read 2001: A Space Odyssey and the rest of the series earlier this year, and was astounded at all the predictions Clarke made in his books - that are actually part of our lives. So when I see the word 'futurism', I expect something distinctly sci-fi and hopeful.

I love the thought of adding some steampunk - I have a number of actual clothing pieces (i.e., not costume 'junk'), that I've always used for costume. I'm going to dig it out this week

10 years ago

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