15 Ways Films Thought We’d Dress In The Future That Were Totally Wrong

Cryogenic freezing would be rife, and we’d either be hover boarding everywhere or cease using our legs in some other way. There would be a 99% chance of an alien invasion/apocalypse and we’d be wearing anything ranging from LED suits to floor length leather jackets.

Those were the predictions of just some retro-future films. Here’s what they got wrong about today’s clothes. 

1. Back to the future 2 (1989)

Laces that tie themselves (because who needs that daily hassle) were an exciting addition for Marty. Nike are set to release Nike Air Mag in October, but as of yet we haven’t lost the will to tie our own laces.

2. back to the future 2 (1989)

Another BTTF invention that we only wish we had is self drying jackets. At the press of a button our jackets are supposed to dry themselves, while we’re wearing them. Londoner’s would be rejoicing.

3. Demolition man (1993)

To be fair, Demolition Man got a lot right about the future. Set in 2032, they predicted iPads, video calling and Schwarzenegger’s political career. Although we’re not sure if Wesley Snipes' number is going to hit the mainstream any time soon.

4. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

According to the Stanley Kubrick classic, we should by now be wearing minimalist tailoring with nods to the 60s and grip shoes, because we should basically be Mad Men in space.

5. Death Race 2000 (1975)

Based in the year 2000, America has rapidly deteriorated and the highlight of life is a NASCAR-esque race across the country running over as many pedestrians as you can. While doing so, we should be wearing spray on leather suits adorned with zips and/or neckerchiefs and hunting boots. We’re glad we didn’t.

6. Ghostbusters 2 (1989)

Basically by the turn of the century, it was presumed we wouldn’t have updated our wardrobes since the 80s. 

7. Blade Runner (1982)

Given that the film was made in the 80s and set in 2019, they did a remarkable job of predicting and influencing fashion. Although we’re not quite where they thought we’d be yet (see modernist shirt and ties and leather trench coats), there’s still time.

8. Timecop (1994)

Literally nothing about this movie came true in 2004. But they were pretty ambitious with everything except the clothing. Which didn’t progress past structured shoulders for everyone.

9. Minority report (2002)

Again, there’s still time for the tides of fashion to change, but we’re not sure if we see piped collars coming soon.

10. Artificial Intelligence (2001)

Set in the distant future, which we are now 14 years closer to, if Gigolo Joe is anything to go by we should be expecting satin made out of woven fishing line pretty soon. Which we’re not. 

11. A Clockwork Orange (1971)

Kubrick envisaged the story taking place at the end of the 20th century. But by the 90s, we most certainly weren’t wearing the eccentric wardrobe of the film.

 

12. The 6th Day (2000)

Set in the very near future, which we reckon is around about now, we should either all be wearing normcore (which some of us admittedly are) or leather trench coats and brightly coloured hair, which we gave up on some time ago.

13. Escape from New York (1981)

The nineties were pretty questionable but they weren’t this bad.

14. Tron (1982)

IF. ONLY.

15. Jetsons: The Movie (1990)

The sixties cartoon is said to be set in 2062, which means we’ve an awful lot of work to get the world in shape for their prediction of the future. Similarly, as do our wardrobes.