2015 Beauty and Aging: What ‘Back to the Future’ Predicted

‘Back to the Future’ 2015 beauty predictions were less accurate than most other predictions made in the film. (Photo: ‘Back to the Future’/Universal)

As of today, the movie Back to the Future takes place entirely in the past. In part II of the trilogy the team travels to October 21, 2015. When the movie was made in 1989, 2015 seemed like it would be a totally different world. While the film correctly predicts many of the modern amenities that we now use everyday like big screen TVs, video conferencing, and phone glasses, its vision of how the characters would age misses the mark.

With increased knowledge about nutrition and exercise, advanced skincare products, and anti-aging treatments like Botox and lasers 40-somethings are looking younger than ever. Marty McFly and his girlfriend-turned-wife, Jennifer, are both understandably shocked to experience their 47-year-old selves when they travel to 2015; neither of the two even resembles their 2015 actor counterpart. The idea that aging can make you look entirely different seems like a quaint, almost dated notion today. It’s time to reevaluate Back to the Future’s beauty predictions from 26 years ago and shed light on two accessory trends that may have drawn inspiration from the cult classic film.

Marty McFly portrayed at 47 in 2015 / Michael J. Fox at 54 in 2015. (Photos: ‘Back to the Future’/Universal / Peter West/ACE/INFphoto)

Marty McFly and Michael J. Fox in 2015 are nearly incomparable. Despite his 24-year struggle with Parkinson’s Disease, which often affects physical appearance, and the fact that he is 7 years older than his character, Fox looks much younger than Marty McFly’s 2015 portrayal.

Jennifer Parker portrayed at 47 in 2015 / Elisabeth Shue at 52 in 2015. (Photos: ‘Back to the Future’/Universal / Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty)

It’s hard to believe that anybody expected Elisabeth Shue to age the way her Back to the Future character did. They made her look more like 70 than 47. Of course they imagined this before Botox and lasers, but even so they didn’t realize women at 47 now look younger than ever. Shue, who looks amazing at 52, proves that 50 really is the new 30.

Michael J. Fox portrayed as Marlene McFly in 2015 / Diane Von Furstenburg Spring 2013 Runway. (Photos: ‘Back to the Future’/Universal / Vogue Runway)

Once you’re able to look beyond how beautiful Michael J. Fox is as a girl, take note of the correctly predicted glasses trend sported by Marlene McFly. The phone glasses she wears around her neck share very similar features with Google Glass. Would this be where DVF found inspiration for her Spring 2013 runway show?

Michael J. Fox portrayed as Marty Jr. in 2015 / Alexander Wang Rocky Bag / Proenza Schouler PS11 Mini Classic Bag. (Photo: ‘Back to the Future’/Universal / Alexander Wang / Proenza Schouler)

Marty Jr.’s hologram hat resembles a recent trend that designers Alexander Wang and Proenza Schouler included in their recent shows. Back to the Future could have inspired the bold fashion accessory style.

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