Summary

The web content reflects on 1980s fashion trends, advocating for the revival of cheerful styles like jelly shoes, popped collars, windbreakers, big hair, scrunchies, and bold colors and prints, while cautioning against the return of less flattering trends such as shoulder pads and mullets.

Abstract

The article "80’s Fashions That Deserve A Comeback" reminisces about the vibrant and optimistic fashion trends of the 1980s, a decade characterized by a sense of unity and the belief in the power to change the world. The author expresses a fondness for the era's accessible fashion, citing affordable jelly shoes, the rebellious flair of popped collars, the practicality of windbreakers, the joy of big hair, the functionality of scrunchies, and the excitement of bold colors and prints. While acknowledging that not all 80s trends were aesthetically pleasing, the author suggests that embracing the decade's happier fashion statements could help lift spirits in challenging times. However, the article also identifies certain fashion faux pas, such as the unflattering shoulder pads and the infamous mullet hairstyle, which should remain relics of the past.

Opinions

The author has a strong nostalgia and affection for 1980s fashion, considering it a symbol of optimism and collective action.
Jelly shoes are remembered as a cheap and cheerful trend that should make a comeback, possibly in an eco-friendly version.
Popped collars are seen as a small act of rebellion and a nod to the styles of the 1950s, which the author finds appealing.
Windbreakers are appreciated for their affordability, functionality, and suitability for casual wear.
Big hair is celebrated as a fun and iconic element of 80s style, with the author personally identifying with this trend.
Scrunchies are recommended for their practicality in managing voluminous hair without causing damage.
Bold colors and neon are described as fun, bright, and fabulous accents, even if not worn in excess.
Shoulder pads are dismissed as an unattractive attempt to emulate male broad-shouldered silhouettes, particularly unflattering on petite frames.
The mullet hairstyle is ridiculed for its contradictory nature and is associated with negative stereotypes.
The author believes that reviving positive fashion trends from the past can contribute to happiness and a sense of unity in the present.

80’s Fashions That Deserve A Comeback

And Some That Don’t

Ah, the decade of decadence! And the decade that brought us some of the best and worst fashion trends ever. I loved pretty much all of it, but I’m a bit biased. I LOVED the 80s.

I loved the feeling that we were on the verge of something huge. I loved how we believed, truly believed that by coming together, we could change the world for the better. If there was a problem, we could solve it — starving people in Africa, there’s a song for that. Farmers going bankrupt, there’s a song for that. And when there wasn’t a song, there was a protest or a t-shirt at the very least.

It’s been a rough couple of years. I think it’s safe to say our collective optimism tank is running on fumes. So is our feeling of being in this together. So let’s reach into the past and bring a little happy back. As they say, clothes make the man (or woman), so happy fashion, happy people. And these were some of the happiest:

Jelly Shoes:

By TheOnlyAnla who is taking a break until her math t from The Woodlands, US — day 37- RedUploaded by SchuminWeb, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14701541

Before the hideous monstrosity called Crocs, there were jelly shoes. Super cute, plastic ballerina-type flats that came in all sorts of adorable colours. And best of all they were cheap as chips! I think the first pair I got in 1983 was $1.99.

My parents could afford that. And as anyone who has ever been a child or has had a child knows, it’s tough when the fashion of the day is inaccessible. Well, jelly shoes were the ultimate in accessible fashion. Whip them up out of recycled plastic for a current, Earth-friendly version.

Popped Collars:

Back in my day, if you had a collar, you turned that puppy up! You didn't let it lie there, like a limp noodle around your neck. My mother told me that it wasn’t an 80s thing at all and was actually a throwback to the 50s and Elvis and other somewhat rebellious rockers of the day. Whatever, I liked it then, and I like it now. So embrace your inner rebel and turn up that collar!

Windbreakers:

They were cheap. They were water-resistant. They were nylon and they were the perfect little jacket when you needed just a little something over your neon t-shirt to protect you from the rain or, a cool breeze. They were awesome!

Big Hair:

Let’s just put it out there, I AM big hair, so I might have a vested interest in seeing this trend come back. I love big hair, it’s just fun.

Scrunchies:

Photo Courtesy of Chouchou.jpg, Wikipedia Commons

Here’s the thing, if you have big hair, you need something to tie it back in. But, when you have big-ass hair, elastics break. They break trying to contain the beast that is your massive ponytail, or they break the hell out of your luscious locks. Enter the scrunchie, cute, and covered in fabric. You still might not be able to fit all your hair in it, but at least you won’t break it off trying.

Bold Colours and Prints:

I’m just going to say it. I love neon! Love, love, love it! It was fun. It was bright. It was fabulous! I looked terrible in it with my pale little self, but I still loved it. I wouldn’t wear too much of it now, I mean, I’m 50, I don’t need to go around drawing attention to my raggedly old ass. Can you imagine?

“Hey, look at the old lady in fluorescent pink over there!” Yeah, maybe not. Or maybe, depends on my mood. But for an accent, totally! A neon scarf around my head to accentuate my auburn curls, fu*k yeah! Neon socks inside my jelly shoes, yes indeed!

Bold geometric patterns, why not? They were fun too.

Let’s just live in full colour. Let’s live out loud.

But the 80s weren’t all fun and games. Some fashions need to stay in the past because they just, well, they sucked.

Shoulder Pads:

Ummmm, no. That is all, just no. Well, there’s a little more to it. Shoulder pads were, from my understanding as an 80s teen, were supposed to make us women feel and look powerful in the business world like our male counterparts. Guys typically have wide shoulders, so why not just give the ladies some artificial ones, right?

Yeah, no. It was a terrible look. Imagine being a 5'2" kid, with a 22-inch waist and 36 inches of fake shoulders. Not even close to cute!

The Mullet:

Business in the front, party in the back! The mullet gave you the best of both worlds with a short, neat style in the front and along the sides, but leaving the back long. Yeah, no, not so much. Every time I see someone with this hairstyle, I wonder just how much dope he’s selling. Judgmental? Yeah, a bit. But it’s truly hideous.

There are so many other fashions I could point out, leg warmers, side ponytails, chunky belts and stirrup pants for the yes column and rock patches on jean jackets, acid wash anything and blue eyeshadow for the please, god, no column. But the fact remains, we need to bring a little joy back into our lives and what better way to do that than by wearing it?

Jelly shoes (make them from recycled plastic)

neon, yeah it’s horrible, but it’s so fun