When we talk about throwbacks, we usually refer to outdated fashion trends like bell-bottomed jeans or songs from the early 2000s. We don’t normally think about societal trends that have died off through the years. Now don’t get me wrong, a lot of those norms can stay dead (I’m looking at you, Reprehensible Treatment of Women and Minorities™), but some shouldn’t have been kicked aside so quickly. Here are five throwbacks to throw into 2019.
#1. Capes
If you’ve ever dressed up as a superhero or a witch for Halloween, then you know firsthand how cool capes are to wear. Sure, this fashion choice might cause a little trouble if you work on a wind farm or with heavy machinery, but the feeling of raw power that comes when a cape billows behind you as you walk is worth any risk.
#2. Victory Gardens
This is not an advocation for going to war, but victory gardens are an easy way to get ahold of fresh garden veggies without having to get them at the store. Not only that, but homegrown produce tastes so much better when you know you’ve grown it yourself. And for all you eco-activists, it’s also a lot better for the environment!
#3. Ballroom Dancing and Balls
Most of us can agree that dressing up and going to a formal event makes us all feel like a princess (or a prince). Just look at how much time we spend getting ready for proms and formals. Bringing ballroom dancing back will allow us the opportunity to go back to the medieval days of castles and dragons, only without that pesky Black Plague.
#4. Handwritten Letters
Good morning and goodnight texts are all well and good, but it takes a special kind of love and dedication to write a letter by hand these days. The feeling of both getting and giving a handwritten letter is worth the time it takes to make it, though, because it makes the gesture so much more personal.
#5. Drive-in Movies
Going to the movies nowadays can be such a hassle. From paying the extravagant fees to having to find a place to sit in the theater, it can sometimes put a damper on the entire experience. With drive-in movies, though, you never have to worry about finding a seat, and you have unlimited space to store your snacks. Also, it looked kind of cool in Grease.
Not all throwbacks have to be mullets and jelly shoes. Some actually have a place in our modern world, so go out and try incorporating these into your day-to-day lives!