Reviving the eccentric '80s fashions
Krista Thresh
Issue date: 2/3/10 Section: Lifestyles
Retro has come back and struck a pose.
The 1980s were known for punk and bright colors, but who knew the '80s fashion fads would come back into popularity 20 years later? Fashions the generation before us flaunted, like skinny jeans, spandex leggings - you know, the Madonna look - and aviator sunglasses, have been displayed on the young bodies of America over the past year.
Many adults would say their wardrobe from the decade is one they threw away a long time ago, but they shouldn't have been so quick to judge their closet.
Remember what Christine Taylor's character in The Wedding Singer (film set in the '80s) wore? The quirky friend of Drew Barrymore's character was a fan of loose fitted shirts, tight miniskirts, leggings and colorful necklaces, bracelets and earrings.
Those same spandex leggings over short skirts and dresses have now become a staple in our generation's attire. Leggings are cheap and have replaced the annoying and rip-prone stockings.
According to YouLookFab.com, leggings make a dress look more casual, as long as they are worn with flats and not heels. Leggings are warm enough for early spring and fall weather, but not too warm during the summer months.
Don't want to dress up enough for leggings, but still want the '80s tight pants look? You're in luck; skinny jeans are sold in nearly every clothing store around the country.
Skinny jeans are perfect for the days you want to look casual, but need to wear boots while walking to class. There aren't any more awkward folds in the bottoms of your pants from trying to shove them in your Uggs with skinny jeans.
Skinny jeans and leggings also work well with the ankle boots and heels that have been coming back into the fashion industry. Before, wide-legged jeans didn't show off the ankle-high shoes, it just hid them over fabric.
According to TheFashionPolice.net, another fad that has come back - and not for the better - is the hobo look. Just when plaid and fingerless gloves finally left people's closets and were only seen on the streets, they were in stores again. Surprisingly, plaid has grown from the woolen homeless look - think John Bender from The Breakfast Club - to a chic and stylish trend. Fingerless gloves still have a homeless feel to them, but are great for texting without taking off the gloves.
If you're not a plaid person, there's always the peasant skirt that began in the hippie era, brought back in the '80s for the "good girl" look - check out the movie, Sixteen Candles - and has been resurrected once again. The original hippie's summer skirt can be found in all different colors and patterns in Old Navy for an affordable $24. The peasant skirt is flirty, stylish and cool for the warm summer months.
Don't forget to accessorize. According to Fashionising.com, to go with the bright colored dresses, leggings and skinny jeans, you're going to need to layer long necklaces of all kinds. They can be pearls or beads, but they are a must-have in the accessory world and can be found at Fashion Bug for as low as $10.
Can't get enough of the '80s fashions? Grab some movies that were set in the '80s to get some ideas of what to buy during your next shopping trip.
Some films to check out are, Pretty in Pink, SLC Punk and When Harry Met Sally.
The 1980s were known for punk and bright colors, but who knew the '80s fashion fads would come back into popularity 20 years later? Fashions the generation before us flaunted, like skinny jeans, spandex leggings - you know, the Madonna look - and aviator sunglasses, have been displayed on the young bodies of America over the past year.
Many adults would say their wardrobe from the decade is one they threw away a long time ago, but they shouldn't have been so quick to judge their closet.
Remember what Christine Taylor's character in The Wedding Singer (film set in the '80s) wore? The quirky friend of Drew Barrymore's character was a fan of loose fitted shirts, tight miniskirts, leggings and colorful necklaces, bracelets and earrings.
Those same spandex leggings over short skirts and dresses have now become a staple in our generation's attire. Leggings are cheap and have replaced the annoying and rip-prone stockings.
According to YouLookFab.com, leggings make a dress look more casual, as long as they are worn with flats and not heels. Leggings are warm enough for early spring and fall weather, but not too warm during the summer months.
Don't want to dress up enough for leggings, but still want the '80s tight pants look? You're in luck; skinny jeans are sold in nearly every clothing store around the country.
Skinny jeans are perfect for the days you want to look casual, but need to wear boots while walking to class. There aren't any more awkward folds in the bottoms of your pants from trying to shove them in your Uggs with skinny jeans.
Skinny jeans and leggings also work well with the ankle boots and heels that have been coming back into the fashion industry. Before, wide-legged jeans didn't show off the ankle-high shoes, it just hid them over fabric.
According to TheFashionPolice.net, another fad that has come back - and not for the better - is the hobo look. Just when plaid and fingerless gloves finally left people's closets and were only seen on the streets, they were in stores again. Surprisingly, plaid has grown from the woolen homeless look - think John Bender from The Breakfast Club - to a chic and stylish trend. Fingerless gloves still have a homeless feel to them, but are great for texting without taking off the gloves.
If you're not a plaid person, there's always the peasant skirt that began in the hippie era, brought back in the '80s for the "good girl" look - check out the movie, Sixteen Candles - and has been resurrected once again. The original hippie's summer skirt can be found in all different colors and patterns in Old Navy for an affordable $24. The peasant skirt is flirty, stylish and cool for the warm summer months.
Don't forget to accessorize. According to Fashionising.com, to go with the bright colored dresses, leggings and skinny jeans, you're going to need to layer long necklaces of all kinds. They can be pearls or beads, but they are a must-have in the accessory world and can be found at Fashion Bug for as low as $10.
Can't get enough of the '80s fashions? Grab some movies that were set in the '80s to get some ideas of what to buy during your next shopping trip.
Some films to check out are, Pretty in Pink, SLC Punk and When Harry Met Sally.
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