Retro design elements and styles have made a huge comeback in recent years, bringing a wave of nostalgia and a touch of vintage flair to contemporary aesthetics. In this blog, we’ll dive into the top 10 retro design elements we’ve seen that perfectly capture a sense of nostalgia while staying true to being a modern creation. Additionally, we’ll explore the top 10 types of retro-inspired apparel that epitomize the essence of different eras. From tie-dye to bucket hats, you’re sure to find great product inspiration and elevated retro-themed styles your entire group is sure to love!
Top 10 Retro Design Elements:
1. Bold Colors and Patterns
Think mustard yellows, avocado greens, and bold geometric patterns that scream the ‘70s. Incorporating these groovy hues into your design palette instantly invokes a retro vibe. If the ‘70s isn’t your retro scene, bright colors and neons are the perfect alternative to capture a bright ‘80s feeling!
2. Retro Typography
Retro typography is up for debate and can differ for each person. Utilizing fonts reminiscent of old signage, vintage ads, or classic movie titles are a great way to capture a retro feel to any design. Retro fonts can transport your audience back in time and give your design that ultra-cool look you’re going for!
Also Read: Top 30 Best Fonts for Custom Printing
3. Gradients
Gradients, particularly those featuring vibrant colors, were a staple in graphic design for both the ‘80s and ‘90s. Embracing this trend can add a stellar touch of retro futurism, taking your design to the next level! Please note if looking to use a gradient in your design, you may be limited with your print method as different methods allow for different customizations such as gradients.
4. Checkerboard Patterns
Popularized in the ‘80s and re-popularized in recent years, checkerboard patterns evoke memories of arcade floors and skateboards. When incorporated into a design, checkerboard patterns create a “rad” look with a nostalgic touch, making them a perfect accent pattern for any retro design!
5. Neon Lights
Channel the neon lights of the ‘80s with vibrant, electric colors. Neon signs have been a business staple for years and continue to be a staple for both businesses and individuals looking to add something unique to their basement, garage, game room, and anything in between! Transport your design to a retro-inspired dreamscape with this unique element.
6. Pixel Art
Embrace the pixelated charm of early video games. Pixel art provides a nostalgic nod to the era of low-resolution graphics and high quality fun with an 8-bit character or pixelated typography! Pixel art inspired by retro games is perfect for clubs, organizations, hobby groups, and anyone looking to feel the nostalgia of playing a brand new game on their Atari.
7. VHS Effects
Introduce VHS-style distortion, static, and glitch effects to your design for an authentic retro feel. This subtly retro touch adds an extra layer of nostalgia while looking absolutely rad! Similarly to gradients, VHS effects may limit the print method of your design. For more information on print methods and to see what your options are, reach out to us!
8. Pop Art
Inspired by the vibrant art movement of the ‘50s and ‘60s, pop art elements like bold graphics and exaggerated colors can create the perfect amount of retro energy while looking great! Designs with pop art elements tend to be eye-catching and bold making them perfect for a retro design created to capture attention.
9. Vintage Photography Filters
If you’re planning to use a photo for your design but want it to feel more vintage, explore vintage-inspired filters! Adding vintage filters to your images can emulate the look of old film photographs, adding a warmth and timeless feel to your design. You can also try adding a distressed look to capture a vintage feel without altering the image!
10. Mid-Century Modern Elements
First popularized in the mid-century and gaining more popularity in recent years, Mid-Century Modern has become one of the most popular aesthetics! To get this look in your design, incorporate clean lines, organic shapes, and minimalist elements reminiscent of mid-century modern design.
Also Read: Top 5 Retro Designs
Top 10 Retro Styles:
1. Fanny Packs
From the ‘90s to today, fanny packs making a comeback has been one of the most iconic trends of recent years. Both stylish and practical, offering a touch of retro nostalgia to modern fashion, fanny packs have evolved from solely being seen on the waist to becoming a versatile statement piece! For us at UGP, some of our favorite fanny packs are our Hit Promo Fanny Pack, the Osprey Arcane Waist Pack, our Hit Promo Anywhere Belt Bag, the MADE FREE Hip Pack, and our Cotopaxi Del Dia Hip Pack.
The tie-dye trend, first gaining traction in the free-spirited ‘60s and ‘70s, adds a burst of color and individuality to any outfit! Some of our favorite styles at UGP include our Colortone Tie Dye Racerback Tank, the Dyenomite Blended Hooded Sweatshirt, our Tie-Dyed Multi-Color Spiral Short Sleeve T-Shirt, the Game Lido Tie-Dyed Trucker Hat, and our Q-Tees Tie-Dyed Canvas Tote.
3. Crop Tops
First popularized in the ‘80s, crop tops are a playful and daring retro choice that brings a touch of nostalgia to modern fashion. Thankfully, crop tops have stayed an iconic trend for years. Our current cropped favorites include our Colortone Tie Dye Crop Tee, the Comfort Colors Heavyweight Boxy Tee, our Soffe Curves Throwback Crop Hoodie, the Bella+Canvas Micro Rib Raglan Baby Tee, and our Next Level Festival Cali Crop.
4. Tank Tops
Reminiscent of the ‘90s grunge scene, tank tops are versatile and effortlessly cool, making them a timeless retro wardrobe essential. At Underground Printing, some of our favorite tank tops include our Bella+Canvas Women’s Spaghetti Strap Tank, the Comfort Colors Adult Cotton Tank Top, our Next Level Ladies Festival Tank, the ComfortWash Garment Dyed Tank Top, and our Bella Canvas Ladies Racerback Cropped Tank.
5. Bucket Hats
A timeless accessory, bucket hats were a staple of ‘90s streetwear and are back in Vogue, adding a touch of casual retro flair to any outfit! Some of our favorite bucket hats on the market right now are the Nike Swoosh Bucket Hat, our Atlantis Headwear Sustainable Bucket Hat, the Newport Bucket Hat, the Oakley Team Issue Bucket Hat, and our Sportsman Tie-Dyed Bucket Hat.
6. Crewnecks
Crewnecks are a classic closet staple, often associated with ‘80s and ‘90s casual wear. Providing comfort and a dash of vintage charm, retro-inspired crewneck styles can range from tie-dye, garment-dyed, cropped, and more! Our top retro-inspired crewnecks feature our Comfort Colors Lightweight Adult Ringspun Crewneck, the Dyenomite Mineral Wash Premium Fleece Crew, our Independent Trading Co. Lightweight Cropped Crewneck, the ComfortWash Garment Dyed Unisex Crewneck, and our Comfort Colors Adult Color Blast Crewneck.
First popularized in the ‘50s and ‘60s, 3/4 length sleeve shirts offer a versatile and stylish retro look suitable for various occasions. The perfect shirt for spring and fall, some of our favorite 3/4 sleeve tees include our Augusta 3/4 Sleeve Baseball Jersey 2.0, the Bella+Canvas Women’s MicroRib 3/4 Raglan Baby Tee, our Sport Tek Colorblock Raglan Jersey, the Champion Adult Raglan T-Shirt, and our Next Level Unisex Tri-Blend Three-Quarter Sleeve Raglan.
8. Ringer Tees
A classic ‘70s staple, ringer tees with contrasting ribbed collars and cuffs exude a laid-back retro vibe. For us, our favorite retro-inspired ringer tees include our Augusta Two-Sleeve Stripe Jersey, the Next Level Unisex Fine Jersey Ringer Tee, our Vintage 50/50 Keeper Ringer Tee, and the Augusta Short Sleeve Baseball Raglan.
9. Flannels
Grunge fashion from the ‘90s brought flannels to the forefront, and they’ve been here to stay ever since! These cozy shirts add a touch of rebellion and nostalgia to your wardrobe and make for the perfect layer in spring and fall. Our favorite flannels include our Burnside Ladies Yarn Dyed Long Sleeve Flannel Shirt, the Eddie Bauer Woodland Shirt Jac, our Burnside Perfect Flannel Work Shirt, the Charles River Hyannis Snap Shacket, and our Burnside Yarn Dyed Long Sleeve Flannel Shirt.
10. Visors
Channel the ‘80s with visors! A sporty accessory that adds an athletic and fun element to your retro-inspired look. Some of our favorite visors on the market right now are our Hit Promo Non-Woven Visor, the Nike Dri Fit Swoosh Visor, our Adams Unisex Drifter Visor, the Richardson Trucker Visor, and our Augusta Sport Twill Adult Visor.
By incorporating these top 10 retro design elements and embracing the nostalgic charm of various eras through apparel, you can easily create the perfect, timeless design all will love! Whether you’re aiming for a blast from the past or a modern twist on vintage aesthetics, these retro elements and styles offer a vibrant journey through the rich tapestry of design history.
Looking to create great retro-inspired apparel but not sure where to start? We’re here to help! At Underground Printing, we’re here to help you create stylish gear that your entire group is sure to love. Start designing today or reach out to us at help@undergroundshirts.com!