Trends behave a lot like the seasons – they arrive, they linger, and sometimes they burst back onto the scene with renewed vigor. In 2020 we’re witnessing a wave of retro‑style revivals that prove the old can feel fresh again. From analog music gear to classic hairstyles, the past is proving surprisingly popular among today’s consumers.
Why These Top 10 Things Matter in 2020
10 Record Players And Vinyls
For decades, spinning a vinyl disc was the premier way to experience music. Those who grew up with turntables often reminisce about the thrill of browsing record‑store aisles, hunting for fresh releases, and adding them to ever‑growing collections.
When digital formats arrived, tapes and CDs quickly displaced records, and by the early 2000s streaming services had rendered physical media almost obsolete. The convenience of downloading or streaming became the dominant listening habit.
Fast forward to 2020, and sales figures show a noticeable resurgence in both turntable units and vinyl records, especially among younger listeners. Collectors now value the tactile experience of owning a tangible album, even if the record is four or five decades old.
Today, many artists release limited‑edition vinyl alongside their digital drops, turning the format into a premium offering rather than a relic. Some fans even regret discarding their old crates, opting instead to rebuild their collections from scratch.
9 Classic Video Games
Over the past ten years, a handful of classic video titles have been resurrected, though not every effort has turned into a blockbuster. The most ambitious revival slated for 2020 is Square Enix’s full‑scale remake of the beloved Final Fantasy VII, scheduled for an April launch.
This remake follows a recent pattern where legacy franchises such as Crash Bandicoot and Spyro have received polished remasters. Should the Final Fantasy VII reboot achieve commercial success, it could spark a wave of similar projects for other iconic games.
Additionally, many older titles fell out of favor when analog connections like SCART gave way to HDMI. While emulators kept some games alive, developers are now porting these classics to iOS and Android, ensuring new generations can enjoy them without the need for legacy hardware.
8 Mullets
The mullet—a hairstyle synonymous with the 1980s—has resurfaced in the fashion world. Rugby star Jack Goodhue of the All Blacks has become a modern ambassador for the “business in front, party in back” look, proving the cut’s enduring appeal.
Shows like Stranger Things have helped re‑ignite interest, while London salons report a steady stream of customers requesting the style. The Guardian notes that barbers are now trimming at least one or two mullets per week, a clear sign of growing demand.
Its resurgence is tied to a broader cultural shift toward gender‑neutral aesthetics. The mullet’s ability to straddle professional and rebellious vibes makes it a perfect fit for today’s more inclusive attitudes toward personal grooming.
7 Unions
In the 1950s and 1960s, labor unions boasted massive memberships in the United States and United Kingdom—roughly 35 percent of American workers were unionized at the height of the movement.
Today that figure has slipped to about 10‑11 percent, and many millennials admit they lack a clear understanding of what a union does. The service‑oriented economy has made organizing more difficult than during the manufacturing boom of previous decades.
Nevertheless, recent years have seen a revitalization of union activity. According to AFL‑CIO President Richard Trumka, the movement is “stronger than it has been in decades,” and Gallup data from 2015 shows 58 percent of Americans hold a favorable view of unions.
If this sentiment translates into new memberships, we could be witnessing a genuine renaissance of collective bargaining and workplace solidarity.
6 Stephen King
Master of horror Stephen King reached his zenith in the 1970s and 1980s with classics like Carrie, The Shining, and It. Those novels spawned blockbuster films, cementing King’s reputation as a cultural juggernaut.
Following that peak, the late 1990s and early 2000s saw King focusing on the sprawling Dark Tower series, and his mainstream visibility waned. Adaptations of his work slowed, leaving a generation of millennials relatively unfamiliar with his oeuvre.
The explosion of streaming platforms such as Netflix and Hulu has reignited interest. Recent years have delivered high‑budget adaptations like It (and its sequel), The Dark Tower, Pet Sematary, In the Tall Grass, and the hit series Castle Rock. Additional shows—11.22.63 on Hulu and The Outsider on HBO—have further amplified his presence.
This torrent of new content has given King a second wind, ensuring that even those who missed his 80s fame are now introduced to his storytelling through modern media.
5 Houseplants
During the 1950s and 1960s, indoor greenery was a staple of home décor, adding life to living rooms and bedrooms. By the 1990s, however, the trend faded as technology and flashier interior options took precedence.
In recent years, plants such as spider plants and snake plants have surged back into popularity. The Royal Horticultural Society reports a 60 percent jump in houseplant sales during the latter half of 2019, a spike largely driven by Instagram’s visual culture and the desire to showcase lush interiors.
The rise aligns with heightened awareness of vegan lifestyles and climate concerns, prompting people to favor living décor over static ornaments. Millennials, in particular, enjoy caring for something tangible in an increasingly virtual world.
4 Shag Carpets
The 1970s celebrated shag—thick, fluffy rugs that dominated living‑room aesthetics and even appeared on walls in some avant‑garde designs. Iconic films like Austin Powers and the TV series Mad Men captured the era’s love for tactile, bold textures.
By the 1990s, the shag craze gave way to beige rugs and laminate flooring, signaling a shift toward minimalism. Today, however, designers are re‑introducing shag in contemporary palettes, offering a cozy, statement‑making alternative for modern homes.
While the exact patterns of the ’70s are evolving, the renewed interest in plush, tactile flooring suggests a broader desire for vibrant, Instagram‑ready interiors that break away from the sterile aesthetics of the past.
3 Social Boundaries
Before the age of pervasive social platforms, people lived with clearer personal boundaries. Strangers rarely knew where you’d been, what you’d eaten, or even your profession, and there was no instant way to slide into someone’s direct messages.
The digital era shattered those walls, making every facet of daily life publicly visible. Yet 2020 marks a noticeable backlash: users are actively deleting accounts, muting or blocking contacts, and even high‑profile athletes and celebrities are stepping away from platforms citing mental‑health pressures.
This shift reflects a growing appetite for minimalist, privacy‑first lifestyles that echo pre‑digital norms. Concepts like “Joy of Missing Out” (JOMO) are gaining traction, offering a counter‑balance to the relentless “Fear of Missing Out” (FOMO) that has dominated social media culture.
2 Tea Strainers
Before the invention of the convenient tea bag, tea enthusiasts relied on infusers and strainers to brew loose‑leaf blends, believing the method produced richer, more nuanced flavors.
In the early 20th century United States, silk‑lined bags began to be used for packaging loose tea, and consumers soon started dipping the bags directly into hot water. This convenience pushed traditional strainers onto the sidelines, and the tea bag became the dominant brewing tool.
Recently, a renaissance of loose‑leaf brewing has emerged as younger consumers gravitate toward less‑processed, artisanal experiences. This trend dovetails with a broader move toward supporting local, high‑quality products, prompting a renewed interest in elegant tea strainers.
1 World Division And Mistrust
Not every comeback on this list is uplifting. In 2020, geopolitical tensions have resurfaced, echoing Cold‑War‑era suspicion and division. Political polarization in the United States, Brazil, and elsewhere has amplified narratives of mistrust.
Social media platforms have become fertile ground for spreading racial intolerance and disinformation, contributing to a sense that the world is moving backward. Climate change debates are often downplayed or dismissed, further deepening societal fractures.
State actors such as Russia continue covert operations aimed at destabilizing international politics, feeding into a climate of paranoia. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists has warned that the Doomsday Clock now sits at a record‑low 100 seconds to midnight, underscoring the perilous state of global affairs.
While this grim outlook contrasts sharply with the lighter revivals above, it serves as a reminder that not all trends point toward progress, and collective vigilance remains essential.