Shell suits, giant shoulder pads and low-rise jeans have topped a list of the cringeworthy fashion trends that Brits wish they could erase ahead of London Fashion Week.
According to new research, Gen Zs under 24 have been revealed to be the generation most haunted by their fashion faux pas, followed closely by older Millennials aged between 35 and 44.
Despite most Brits daring to look at old pics (93%), nearly a third (30%) disclosed that they have cringed at their former selves, with hair or makeup (17%), moments they missed the camera (15%) and dodgy outfits (14%) trumping the list of things Brits have sent straight to the deleted folder.
The research was commissioned by Samsung to celebrate Photo Assist features such as Generative Edit, which uses Galaxy AI to remove, rotate and resize objects from photos, providing an instant fashion fix for your memories.
TOP 10 FASHION FAUX PAS WE WISH WE COULD ERASE
Shell suits
Giant Shoulder Pads
Low-rise jeans
Overly distressed jeans
Peplum tops
Cargo trousers with too many pockets
Velour tracksuits
Slogan tees
Spray on skinny jeans
Leg Warmers
It’s not just mild embarrassment. The research revealed 32% of us admit to being pained by the evidence of our past fashion choices with 30% of Brits reporting that they would even pay money to delete their most awkward outfit photos from the internet forever (averaging a substantial £26).
The study showed more than a third (34%) look back at old photos of themselves throughout the year and wish they could ‘undo’ or change a specific outfit choice and two in ten (22%) admit they would happily use a tool to fix and edit outfits on old online photos.
It’s not just us mere mortals suffering from wardrobe mishaps. The research also found the most iconic celebrity ‘mishaps’ that have stuck in the British memory. From Björk’s feathered swan dress at the Oscars to David Beckham’s head-to-toe leather look and Lady Gaga’s infamous ‘meat suit,’ the message is clear: even the A-list could use an ‘undo’ button.
Respondents revealed they cringe at their outfits from a decade ago the most, crowning 2016 as the worst year for fashion mishaps sealed into history on social media with over a quarter (27%) feeling that their photos are haunting their feeds and are like a minefield of their biggest fashion regrets (30%).
A further 30% admitted they have deleted picture evidence of their past fashion choices from social media entirely with 26% of the public choosing to archive a post so no one can see it, or untagging themselves.
Despite Gen Z appearing the most distressed over past fashion choices (49%) over a quarter of Brits (26%)
To celebrate Galaxy AI and the Generative Edit feature on the Galaxy S25 Series, Michelle de Swarte stars in a new comedic ‘Instant Fix’ video. Drawing on her years in the fashion spotlight, de Swarte shows how Brits can finally “fix” their fashion history – without deleting the memories themselves.
Using Generative Edit on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, the model turned comedian shows what a wardrobe clear out can’t erase, such as surgically removing unnecessary jewellery, or tidying up a bad slogan tee, or even making your outfit the star of the show by removing everyone else in your photo. Michelle de Swarte, comedian and former model, said
“I used to be a model, which means there’s a lot of photographic evidence of me taking fashion far too seriously in things I should never 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.”
Annika Bizon, Mobile Experience VP of Product and Marketing from Samsung said: “While fashion trends are constantly evolving, our research clearly shows that photos of our past style decisions can feel permanent. Whether it’s a questionable accessory or a truly regrettable outfit, Galaxy AI’s Photo Assist tools such as Generative Edit provide the ultimate, instant solution, allowing users to effortlessly ‘fix’ those fashion faux pas in their memories with just a tap, without deleting your camera roll entirely.”
With social media being a permanent archive of our past, 37% of respondents admitted they would use AI tools such as Generative Edit, to “modernise” their old throwback pictures as 55% of Brits say the ability to edit their fashion fails on social media would make them feel more confident.
But while many are happy to delete the digital evidence, the physical evidence remains. 21% of Brits label themselves “wardrobe hoarders” meaning those who refuse to bin their fashion fails, instead stashing them away as future hand me downs.
A further 21% have said they keep their fashion faux pas, with 41% admitting they would even leave them online, in the hopes that they were just early trendsetters and their questionable pieces get their chance at a second act.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 series is built for the style-conscious, including Galaxy AI-powered tools such as Generative Edit, it’s the most advanced way to tidy up your snaps and perfect the memories you capture every day.
