Style 21: Throwbacks to the ’80s and ’90s
What It Is:
The latest trend is taking a walk down memory lane—and it’s not just about revisiting that old Werther’s Originals-scented perfume you used to wear when you were 13. The’style 21′ aesthetic reflects the return of a bygone era of sexy glamour, with a soupcon of Disney twee. Think body-con dresses, oversized sweaters, and high-waisted pencil skirts paired with heels and a hefty dose of ’80s sexiness.
This edgy, modern take on Art Deco style includes graphic black accents and a streamlined design that emphasizes round geometric shapes. In this bedroom from Emily Henderson Design, a curvy period wardrobe in a glossy walnut finish adds throwback glamour to getting dressed in the morning that a walk-in closet can’t match.
Milan-based designers Britt Moran and Emiliano Salci of Dimore Studio used a mix of Art Deco elements and modern pieces to make the rooms at Hotel Saint-Marc feel like elegant private apartments in Paris. A combination of geometric wallpaper, custom art, and patterned floors evokes the decadence of the period. In this bedroom, tufted velvet and woven natural materials create an elegant base with a nod to the style’s signature curved lines.
For a more subtle nod to the style, rounded curved lines and cane details can add a classic Deco touch to any space. In this loft bedroom from Boston-based Desiree Burns Interiors, a curved cane headboard and vintage sconces make a subtle design statement while blending with the contemporary space.
These 17-inch BMW Style 21 wheels—a variant of the M-System wheel—are a unique and timeless way to reclaim some of the style that defined the ’80s and ’90s. Originally used on the E34 M5, they have a staggered front-to-rear setup, with the fronts an inch wider than the rears. The forged alloy wheels have black-painted spokes hidden behind directional “throwing star” covers that display BMW emblems, manufacturer logos, part number stampings, 1993 and 1994 production dates, and dimension markings. The set is currently listed on eBay for $2k USD.
