Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Wake up before you go-go 80s

Okay, here's a fashion tip - The 80s are back, but they're not THAT back. If you're rocking your Me Decade fashion and you were suddenly transported back in time to - say a Duran Duran concert and no one could tell that you came from the future, then you are doing it wrong.

If you are sitting on top of a mountain of neon over-sized t-shirts, shorty running shorts, Dynasty-era bejewelled sweater dresses, jelly shoes and hot pink lipstick, just waiting for the day that it all comes back - stop. Keep key pieces. Anything well-made, in good condition, with interesting design elements that hark back to a specific era. But not the excesses of that era. For instance, for an 80s look, say yes to a bold shoulder. Say no to 2-inch shoulder pads with a puff sleeve. If you have to turn sideways to get through a door, it's time to throttle back, Maverick. And, given all that, you can wear it one pieced at a time. One.

And yes, this is coming up because I saw it this morning. The epic, head-to-toe 80s look. The hair, moussed. The eyeshadow, purple (with purple mascara - I didn't even know they still made purple mascara). The shoulders, wiiiiiiidddddeee. With leggings and pointy-toed flats. If it was a costume party, she'd a won. But no. Just headed to work. I get the feeling that this gal has just been sitting on a pile of this stuff, waving a fist in the air, "You'll see! You'll all see! It will come back! And I'll be ready!!"

Yes, honey. You're right. It did come back. But there was a catch. It's been "updated". That's how they get you. And the other thing I always say is, if you wore it as a teenager the first time it came around, you're probably too old to wear it by the time it comes back. Fashion never stops, and neither does the clock.

2 comments:

glorm said...

Eventually all styles will come back as there are only so many things to do with clothes. You are correct--one item is enough.

Please, please, don't anyone allow the bustle skirt to come back. Ugh.

FirePhrase said...

I actually think that with an innovator like Lady Gaga being so public, the bustle is actually more possible. That sort of extreme silhouette has shown up in more fashiony couture circles, but without exposure it kind of dies without making it to the mass market. Gaga (like Madonna before her) really exposes people to some things that might have stayed avant garde, and some of them may show up in the mainstream. Hold that bustle on stand-by.

TIME: Quotes of the Day