25 Of The Dumbest Fads People Regret Participating In

Over the years, fads have come and gone, only to be looked back on in hindsight as some of the most ridiculous trends ever. Low-rise jeans, rat-tails, zig-zag hair parts and more were all the rage throughout the world. For reasons unknown, we all wanted to get in on these unimpressive trends that are distinctly embarrassing to recall.  Recently, the members of an ‘Ask Reddit’ community were discussing the dumbest fads they’ve participated in and some cringe memories were brought to the forefront for many people. Scroll below to check out the most popular trends that people regret engaging in during their youth to see if any resonate for you too. 

#1

Image source: birdofswag2, Adam Zuckerman / flickr Tramp stamp

#2

Image source: Luddites_Unite, EyeEm / freepik Early 90s. I owned more plaid shirts than a lesbian lumberjack

#3

Being a silly, screaming 12 YO Beatlemania chick. I still scream a lot...Get Off My Lawn!, but we old bats are allowed to. Image source: kittykittyspank

#4

Image source: Downtown_Raspberry45, puntapuntapunta / reddit Very baggy pants jingos I think

#5

Image source: Godloseslaw, eagle-eye-tiger / reddit I had a mullet in the late 80s as a 4th grader. I was neither a businessman nor a partier.

#6

Image source: DoeRayMeFarSewLaTea, Mrs_Lovely / reddit I crimped my hair.

#7

Image source: jfincher42, pickzfodayz / reddit I had long hair as a teenager, and sometime in my early 20's (the late 80's, early 90's), I cut it short but left a rat tail in my hair. When my wife cut it off (she's a hairdresser) she kept it. I think it's still in a box somewhere...

#8

Image source: alycat32, doctopuss / reddit My mother made me get a Dorothy Hamil haircut when I was in 4th grade. It was a d**n bowl cut and I’m a girl and I cried and she got mad because the hair dresser felt bad. Then she dropped me back off at school and the substitute thought I was a boy ?? it was traumatic ?

#9

Image source: Savings-Delay-1075, Special-Dance8337 / reddit When acid washed denim was hot I would wear all my acid washed together...pants...shirt & denim jacket with a popped up collar along with those baggy topped cowboy boots. My sister has several pics of me in all my faded glory which sends her descending into uncontrollable giggles.

#10

Image source: goddess_of_fear, ShineyWaffle97 / reddit Zebra highlights

#11

Image source: Billbapoker, mistermajik2000 / reddit Planking

#12

Image source: BrasAndBarflies Inflatable furniture. I had so many chairs. And cats...

#13

Image source: Davidicus12, Dominic Sagar / flickr I worked at a toy store when beanie babies were a thing. I used my employee discount and early access to buy dozens truly believing I would get rich. Still waiting…

#14

Image source: SassyTofuB***h, vh-studio /freepik In middle school I was caught up in two: "I'm not like other girls" and thinking I was "cool" because older teens/young 20 year old (and sometimes older than 25 but I thought *that* was creepy) men would hit on me. Girl...no...

#15

Image source: anon, Pixabay / pexels Facebook. Deactivated profile nearly two years ago. Don't miss it at all.

#16

Image source: TheYayaC, Learn Do Teach Hairstyles “LDT Hairstyles” / Youtube The zig zag part ??‍♀️ NM1159: Yes! I could never do it right but that didn't stop me from trying!

#17

Image source: Big-Amphibian502, fabrikasimf / freepik In the early 90s there was a trend going around my area called "eraser burns" As you can guess, it was rubbing an eraser on your skin, almost always on the back of your hand, until it broke skin. Idk kids do stupid things lmao. I'm thankful everyday that social media wasn't around when I was growing up

#18

As a teenager and young adult I used to be an edgy far right bigot. It's funny looking back on that period of my life now that I'm a trans woman. Image source: Wizard_Elon_3003

#19

Image source: Nugatorysurplusage Long chain wallet 8th-10th grade, 1994-1996ish

#20

Image source: TiffyVella, pinkgirl300 / reddit In the 70s my mum made our entire family dress in velour track suits. Unwilling participant here.

#21

Image source: pearlie_girl, yulaphotographer / freepik I wore s**y plaid miniskirts over a pair of jeans (this is when flares were in style, to complete the picture). Black babydoll T-shirt, messy bun pigtails, and thick eyeliner, and OMG that goopy glitter gel - glittery hair, glittery eyes, cheeks, just ... Why so much glitter, 2004?

#22

Image source: Number1Barooista, mikeporterinmd / flickr Collecting and wearing silly bands

#23

Hammer pants. Inside out sweaters, sagging my pants way low, overalls with one strap done, super long belts, wallets with super long chains, ... Image source: Gr1pp717

#24

Image source: buzzfeed_sucks, musicfromadventures / reddit Pogs. I was *sure* they would be worth something one day

#25

Image source: anon, Warner Bros. Television Studios I'm a guy and when Dawson's Creek came out I got my tips frosted like Pacey