 What if I mentioned big hair, shoulder pads, parachute material, 501s, acid wash, lace, mousetrap, Madonna and Flashdance? Would you think of the 80s?
Some weird nightmare it is not… it's the 80's baby and guess what...they're back!
I’ve admitted many a times that this is one of my all time fave fashion era's, minus the shoulder pads, just to prove a point at how much I'm 80's obsessed I'm sitting here in a pair of turquoise parachute pants that I got from an op-shop/second hand store, I have to admit they were never very flattering on MC Hammer, and actually they're not very flattering full stop but they are like a lot of 80's trends making a comeback.
The 80's was a fun time for fashion, there was no real streamline way of dressing, there were a lot of fashion graduates just roaming around having fun and trying new things, everyone just created their own looks with the same intention, to stand out, and stand out they did, in their fishnets and lace perfect for dancing away to Madonna or shoulder pad clad power suits to take on the men at the office, the 80's was a time of bold statements.
Remember the evening outfits from the 80's soapy Dynasty, how could you forget them? With sequins galore and stockings under everything! Don’t forget the big hair that no doubt used up a whole can of hairspray, think Bananarama. Ahhh memories!
Madonna along with Michael Jackson were at the top of the charts, and Madonna embarked on a acting career featuring in the 80's cult flick 'Desperately seeking Susan' all you need to see is the cover to tell this is an 80's flick, with crazy hair, man-style glittery jackets and loads of layering!
Layering was huge in the 80's especially with lace skirts, singlet's and jewelry. If wanting an edgy look try incorporating lace it's such a great material all year round it's something that can take you from demure to edgy or funky and thank god it's back!
The 80's was also a time designers had movie star status and everyone wanted to know 'who' you were wearing not 'what' you were wearing. It was this decade that Karl Lagerfeld took over at Chanel as Artistic Director and re-invented the classic Chanel suit.
Yes, so by now you know how much I dislike shoulder pads but another look that I don’t intend to bring back from the 80's is the Denim Suit in Stonewash or acid wash! I absolutely adore denim, but a pair of jeans with a matching denim jacket or shirt is all too much, it looks way to chunky and full, it’s one or the other! Unless they are different colors like black jeans with a blue denim jacket, that's hot, denim suit - so not!
Also remember the jelly shoes? I was astounded to find a pair of fluro pink wedge jellies in a Melbourne store called 'fat' in the city (have a look at their stock and shop online), could these plastic, sweat enhancing shoes be another 80's icon making a comeback?
Well no need to stress, I really don’t think it caught on! Thank god!
If only all shoes were as cheap as the old jellies, back in the day you could pick up a pair for under ten dollars at your nearest Wal-Mart or KMart. Although I love fluro pink and when I was five I loved my jellies they did not temp me at all, especially at $75! They were cheap for a reason my friends.
A great 80's shopping site is mables.com, just get there and click on retro and then women's 80's fashion!
I’m still not sure why I am so obsessed with the 80's ,all I know is that i'm glad it's making a comeback, jumpsuits, layering, high waist, waist belts and all of the above.
Maybe it’s because in the 80's fashion was more care free and people had fun walking out in an outfit that grabs attention and weren’t to worried if they didn’t all look the same.
So start having fun with the new 80's fashions, but be careful, they are addictive!
80's fashion 'what a feeling!'. |
