'Back to the Future' style: McFly or McFail?
Lenticular color-changing cap. Self-lacing Nike sneakers. Auto-adjusting and auto-drying jacket.
Marty was pretty McFly for a 1985 guy. But did the second film get its futuristic fashion right? As the Back to the Future franchise marks its 30th anniversary, USA TODAY’s Alexandra Korba checks in with Rickie De Sole, W magazine’s fashion market and accessories director, to see if Part II successfully predicted the trends of 2015.
De Sole is a believer in Marty's sway today. "Whether intentional or not, there were some noticeable nods to Back to the Future on the (spring/summer 2016) runways, from the silver metallics to the space-age eyewear and unexpected denim," she says.
Metallic accessories: Absolutely McFly
They may not be color-changing, but the red carpet is full of starlets who know how to rock a metallic dress. Iridescent accessories were hot at Paris Fashion Week this year, with metallic texture popping up on shoes, dresses, purses and even the occasional headpiece. Marty was a trendsetter for all things shiny.
The movie's DeLorean is "the exact silver we saw all over the collections," De Sole says. "This very high-tech coloring was prevalent at Louis Vuitton."
Double neckties: Huge McFail
Two ties is just too many. This is a Back to the Future moment that we hope never escapes the silver screen. Better to stick with a single tie, or better yet, pull a Clooney and go sans tie entirely.
Helmet hats: Only McFly on a bike
This look wasn't only miscalculated, it looks downright uncomfortable. For a more current spin on this headwear, a fedora such as the one Johnny Depp sported at the Toronto International Film Festival might be the ticket. For women, wide-brim floppy felt hats are also an on-trend way to avoid helmet hair.
Radical face paint: Totally McFly
From the slew of music festival body paint to ASAP Ferg's own creation on his face at New York Fashion Week, face paint is definitely trending in 2015. We're not so sure about those bangs, though.
Inside-out jeans: Most painful McFail
Pockets should never exist outside the pants. Doc Brown was definitely mistaken when he told Marty, "Pull out your pants pockets. All kids in the future wear their pants inside out." But if you happen to be a denim lover, the runways were a feast of quirky denim trends this fall, from patchworks to mega-flares.
Unusual takes on the workwear staple were everywhere, De Sole says. "From the embellished jeans at (Alexander) McQueen to the patchwork at Marc Jacobs, Marty’s favorite jeans have been given a serious upgrade for the season ahead."
We'll cut the film some slack for its far-out estimation of 2015 style. After all, it's impossible to say what will be hot next season, much less 30 years out.
We would like one of those hoverboards, though.