7 Weird Fashion Trends From History That People Used to Go Absolutely Wild For

Across the ages, fashion has taken wildly unexpected turns. Some trends dazzled, others verged on painful — and a few were so shocking, they left people speechless. Here are some of the most outrageous and unforgettable fashion and beauty moments in history.

1. Face enameling

In the 18th and 19th centuries, achieving an extremely pale complexion was considered the height of fashion. Women from lower social classes often copied the look of wealthy ladies by intentionally enameling their faces. Light, untouched skin signified that a woman was free from physical labor and had little exposure to the sun.

However, the pursuit of this fashionable pallor came with alarming risks. Arsenic was a common ingredient in facial enamel, while other options included lead-based powders or even mixtures made with horse manure. And if these treatments still didn’t deliver the desired level of paleness, women sometimes turned to bloodletting as a last resort.

2. Black teeth.

During the Elizabethan era, having blackened teeth was surprisingly seen as stylish. Since sugar was expensive, people with dark or decayed teeth were viewed as wealthy enough to afford lots of sweets. Nobles even took it a step further by coating their teeth with mixtures made of lead, eggs, or other toxic ingredients to get that dark, fashionable look on purpose. It was less about hygiene and more about showing off status.

Queen Elizabeth I herself helped push the trend even further. Her heavy sugar habit darkened her teeth naturally, and she sometimes used old, rancid honey on her gums to deepen the effect. The whole idea was to mimic the “wealthy smile” of the time, even if it meant ruining your teeth in the process. It’s one of those beauty trends that proves fashion can get pretty wild when people really commit to it.

3. Hairwork.

Hairwork jewelry became a meaningful trend during the Victorian era, when people often wore brooches, bracelets, and necklaces made from the hair of someone they loved. It could be a spouse, a child, a parent, or anyone close to them. The pieces were carefully braided, woven, or shaped into intricate designs, turning something personal into a keepsake you could carry every day.

4. Chopine.

Chopines were a type of platform shoe that women wore in the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries, mainly to protect their shoes and dresses from mud and dirt. In Venice, both courtesans and wealthy women embraced chopines as a fashion statement, not just for practicality.

The taller the chopine, the higher the social status of the wearer, with some reaching over 20 inches high. Despite many challenges to limit their height, women often ignored these rules, and the extreme elevation even became a source of humor (Shakespeare joked about it in Hamlet).

Chopines were usually made from wood or cork and covered with luxurious materials like leather, brocade, or jewel-embroidered velvet, sometimes matching the wearer’s outfit. Wearing them could be tricky; some women needed two servants to walk safely, though experienced wearers could move gracefully and even dance.

Spanish chopines, which may have inspired the trend, were typically conical and symmetric, while Venetian ones were more elaborately carved. Both styles could be highly decorated, making them a striking mix of practicality, status symbol, and fashion extravagance.

5. Lover’s eye.

Lover’s eye jewelry became a trend in England during the late 1700s and 1800s, and it was exactly what it sounds like: a tiny painting of just one eye. Artists painted the eye on a small piece of ivory or canvas, and the miniature was then set into a pendant, brooch, or ring. It was intimate, dramatic, and a little mysterious, almost like someone slipped a secret into a piece of fine jewelry.

People exchanged these pieces as tokens of devotion, especially couples who weren’t supposed to be together or had to keep their relationship quiet. Since only the eye was shown, no one could easily identify the person being admired. It let lovers carry each other close while still keeping the whole thing private, turning a single glance into a hidden promise.

6. Hoop skirt.

By the 1850s, hoop skirts had grown to dramatic, almost unbelievable proportions. These skirts were shaped by large cages made of whalebone or steel, creating a wide circular silhouette that sometimes stretched up to six feet across. The look was considered elegant and grand, a walking sculpture of fabric that showed off wealth and style in a big way.

But wearing one wasn’t exactly easy. The sheer size made everyday movement a challenge, and women often got stuck in doorways or knocked things over without meaning to. A strong gust of wind could even flip the skirt upward, creating a very unwanted show. Still, many women embraced the discomfort, treating the hoop skirt as the ultimate fashion statement of the era: big, bold, and impossible to ignore.

7. Square neckline and men’s garments

Courtesans were known for wearing outer garments that were far more revealing than those of women in other social classes. Their outfits often featured a deep, square neckline paired with a tightly laced corset. To signal their profession, they might drape a yellow scarf over their attire.

Many courtesans also tried to emulate the appearance of noblewomen. They skillfully adopted the looks of widows or unmarried ladies as needed, shifting their style freely to suit the moment or the company they were keeping.

Courtesans sometimes wore men’s garments when going out, a trend that became especially popular in Venice. They often paired their outfits with short, knicker-style pants known as Venetians.

Be sure to check out our other article about bizarre hygiene habits from the past — proof that history was anything but glamorous.