A new poll has unveiled the top fashion faux pas that Brits desperately wish they could undo, with shell suits, low-rise jeans, and peplum tops leading the charge as the most regrettable trends. The study, which surveyed 2,000 adults, found that these styles make many adults "shudder" when reminiscing over old photographs, highlighting a widespread sense of style remorse across the nation.
Key Findings from the Poll
The research discovered that a third of participants cringe at their past selves when sifting through old photos, and 34% express a desire to erase a particular fashion choice from their history. In fact, 32% confessed to feeling "pained" by photographic reminders of their previous fashion blunders, underscoring the emotional impact of these style missteps.
Generational Trends and Social Media Impact
On average, Brits trawl back to 2016 on social media before spotting themselves in an outfit they would rather forget, leading three in 10 to delete such photos entirely. Gen Z individuals under 24 are the generation most haunted by their fashion faux pas, followed closely by older Millennials aged between 35 and 44, indicating that style regrets span multiple age groups.
Insights from Michelle de Swarte
The poll was commissioned by Samsung, which has partnered with comedian and former model Michelle de Swarte to promote Galaxy AI and Photo Assist's Generative Edit tools. De Swarte draws on her years in the fashion spotlight to demonstrate how Brits can finally "fix" their fashion history.
She 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. 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, so being able to keep the memory and quietly fix the bits that didn't age well is a welcome evolution."
AI Tools and Confidence Boost
Over half (55%) of social media users admit they would feel more confident about their profiles if they could erase fashion faux pas without having to bin the entire photo. Moreover, 37% would appreciate AI tools capable of updating old snaps by incorporating contemporary items, reflecting a growing interest in digital solutions for style regrets.
Among those revisiting past pictures, 17% have deleted one due to disliking their hair or makeup, not looking at the camera (15%), or because of their cringe-worthy attire (14%). Annika Bizon from Samsung, which has launched the Galaxy S25 Ultra, commented: "While fashion trends are constantly evolving, our research clearly shows that photos of our past style decisions can feel permanent."
Top 15 Most Regrettable Fashion Choices
- Shell suits
- Giant shoulder pads
- Excessively ripped jeans
- Low-rise jeans
- Peplum tops
- Cargo trousers with an abundance of pockets
- Velour tracksuits
- Slogan tees
- Spray-on skinny jeans
- Leg warmers
- Skinny scarves on men
- Stacked jewellery
- Men's bootcut jeans paired with pointy shoes
- Tiny handbags
- Rhinestone everything
This list encapsulates the diverse range of fashion mistakes that have left Brits cringing, from overly distressed jeans to velour tracksuits, showcasing how style trends can quickly become sources of regret.
