When the 1939 New York World’s Fair opened its gates under the optimistic theme The World of Tomorrow, fashion designers and futurists were convinced they knew exactly what we’d be wearing in the year 2000.
Spoiler alert: they were hilariously wrong. Let’s dive into these retro-futuristic fashion predictions that missed the mark by a cosmic mile.
#1 Electric Illuminated Clothing: A Bright Idea That Dimmed
Picture this: businessmen strutting down Wall Street in suits adorned with built-in telephone receivers, while women attend dinner parties in dresses that literally light up the room. Designers were convinced we’d all be walking mood lights by 2000. While today’s LED festival wear might share some DNA with these predictions, we’re not exactly conducting business meetings in luminescent loungewear.
Fun Fact: The same year these glowing predictions were made, nylon stockings were first introduced to the public, causing riots and long queues at department stores. Apparently, the future of fashion was less about lighting up and more about legging up!
#2 The One-Piece Male Revolution That Never Revolted
Designers confidently declared that by 2000, men would abandon traditional suits in favor of one-piece outfits complete with skirt attachments and “electric belts.” They also predicted the death of the necktie – a prediction that countless office workers probably wish had come true. While jumpsuits had their moment in the 1970s, they never quite made it to the boardroom.
Historical Context: 1939 was also the year Gone with the Wind premiered, proving that even as designers predicted futuristic jumpsuits, audiences were swooning over Scarlett O’Hara‘s elaborate gowns.
#3 Disposable Fashion: Throw Away Those Dreams
Long before fast fashion became a concern, 1939 predicted we’d all be wearing paper clothes designed for single use. While this prediction might seem environmentally horrifying today, it reflected the era’s obsession with convenience and disposable products. Ironically, we’re now fighting against throwaway fashion culture – quite the opposite of what they envisioned.
Fun Fact: During the same fair, the first air-conditioned car was displayed, which probably seemed more far-fetched than disposable clothing at the time!
#4 High-Tech Underwear: The Internet of Things That Never Reached Our Things
According to 1939’s fashion prophets, our underwear would regulate body temperature and monitor vital signs. While our smartwatches now track our health, our underwear remains blissfully low-tech. Though, given how many people complain about their Fitbit’s accuracy, maybe we should be grateful our underpants aren’t giving us health updates.
Amusing Detail: The same year, Superman first appeared in comics wearing his underwear on the outside – perhaps inspiring these bold undergarment predictions?
#5 Space-Age Headgear: The Helmet Hair That Never Was
The prediction: Women would sport transparent helmet-like headpieces complete with radio antennas. While we do have wireless earbuds and VR headsets today, we’re not all walking around looking like fashionable astronauts (yet). Although, given some recent runway shows, maybe they weren’t so far off?
Contemporary Connection: These helmet predictions came the same year as The Wizard of Oz premiered – proving that even while imagining space-age headgear, audiences were captivated by ruby slippers.
What They Actually Got Right
To be fair, these futurists weren’t completely off-base. They correctly predicted:
- The rise of synthetic materials
- More casual everyday wear
- The integration of technology with fashion (though not quite as they imagined)
- The importance of practical, comfortable clothing
Reflecting on 1939’s Tomorrow
These predictions reveal more about 1939 than they do about our present. It was an era obsessed with technology, convenience, and the promise of a push-button future. The World’s Fair itself was a testament to this optimism, featuring other famously incorrect predictions like personal helicopters and robot servants.
Looking back, perhaps the most charming aspect of these predictions is their unbridled optimism. In a year when World War II was beginning in Europe, Americans were imagining a future where their biggest concern would be whether their electric belt matched their illuminated tie.
Next time you’re getting dressed, be thankful you don’t have to plug in your pants or replace your paper shirt. Although, who knows? Maybe our 2024 fashion predictions will seem just as amusing to people in 2100. At least we’re not predicting telephone hats… yet.
What do you think fashion will look like in another 80 years? Hopefully not like a 1939 prediction, but then again, never say never in the world of fashion!
