Shell suits and oversized shoulder pads have topped a new list of the most regrettable fashion trends, with many adults admitting their past style choices still make them cringe.
The survey of 2,000 adults, commissioned by Samsung, found that a third of respondents feel embarrassed by outfits they once proudly wore. Meanwhile, three in 10 have deleted old social media posts because they could no longer stand the sight of their clothing.
Among the worst offenders are shell suits, giant shoulder pads, low-rise jeans and excessively ripped denim. Other trends that ranked highly include peplum tops, velour tracksuits, cargo trousers overloaded with pockets, spray-on skinny jeans and slogan T-shirts. Even accessories were not spared, with tiny handbags, stacked jewellery and rhinestone-heavy outfits also making the list.
According to the findings, many people struggle when looking back at old photos. Thirty-four per cent said they wish they could erase at least one fashion choice from their past, while 32 per cent admitted they feel “pained” when confronted with photographic evidence of former style misjudgements. On average, respondents scrolling through their profiles only need to go back as far as 2016 before encountering an outfit they would rather forget.
Younger generations appear to be the most affected. Gen Z adults under 24 were the most likely to feel haunted by their fashion faux pas, followed closely by Millennials aged between 35 and 44.
The research coincides with the launch of the Galaxy S25 Ultra and new AI-powered photo editing tools. Samsung has partnered with comedian and former model Michelle de Swarte to highlight how technology can help people refresh their old images.
Reflecting on her own time in the fashion industry, de Swarte said: “I used to be a model, which means there’s a lot of photographic evidence of me taking fashion very seriously while wearing things I absolutely shouldn’t have trusted.”
She added: “Back then, if a shoot went wrong, you just had to live with it forever — bad bags, loud logos, people blinking, the lot. Fashion should be playful, not something that jumps out of your camera roll and humbles you years later.”
More than half (55 per cent) of social media users said they would feel more confident about their profiles if they could subtly edit outdated fashion choices without deleting the entire photo. Additionally, 37 per cent said they would welcome AI tools capable of updating old snaps with more contemporary looks.
Annika Bizon of Samsung said: “While fashion trends are constantly evolving, our research clearly shows that photos of our past style decisions can feel permanent.”
