College students like to believe that they live in a technologically advanced culture and society far greater than that of their parents. We are a long way from land lines and 8-Tracks and for the most part we wouldn’t dream of asking our parents for fashion advice or musical taste, but in a world where fads reoccur, our parents may know more than we think. Students who once laughed at their mom’s brightly colored headbands and leg warmers and dad’s neon high tops may now be asking to borrow them. The 80’s are back!
You might already see people wearing brightly colored sunglasses, big hair and off the shoulder shirts. All these fashions came from the 80’s.
“I like to wear the 80’s style. It’s always fun to try out new clothes. I like to wear high-waisted jeans with boots and bright colored hair accessories,” sophomore Sarah Arnold said.
Monroe Boutique, in Fayetteville, Ark. is a popular place to search for these styles.
“Many students often come shopping here. I’ve seen many students wearing the 80’s trends and fashion styles these days. The 80’s are already ‘must have’ items, including rompers and race clothing,” salesclerk Jennifer Mattone said.
According to a New York Times article, design houses as disparate as Gucci, Givenchy, Ungaro, Gianfranco Ferré, Gareth Pugh, Proenza Schouler and Marc Jacobs, for his own label and for Louis Vuitton, started swiping to the 80’s with displays of big shoulders, saturated neon colors, wedge hairdos, pouf skirts, shredded fishnets, oversize jackets and metal mesh.
“You haven’t seen people wear big white shoulder dresses, because that would be an exaggerated look for current times, but I think you’ve seen modification of the 80’s look,” said Kathleen Smith, apparel studies professor. “Average young consumers such as college students think it is a brand new style because they haven’t seen it before.”
Celebrities are always leading the trend of fashion. In the 80’s, Madonna used to put a big bow on her big hair and wore fingerless wool gloves, and Princess Diana wore a puffy shoulder dress. These styles are beginning to be seen again. Just walk into Forever 21 and find a neon section with boom box T-shirts and ripped skinny jeans, and a formal section that mimics the poufy sleeves of Princess Diana and contains dresses with big bows topping the booty.
When asked what she liked about the 80’s, senior Amy Short said, “Everything.”
“I love the poufy sleeves, the big hair, the leg warmers, leotards, sweatbands, the off the soldier shirts and neon colors. I think the 80’s fashions are flattering and I seek them out when I shop. My favorite style from the 80’s is definitely the leg warmers. This fashion is fun, almost costume-like and brings back a wave of nostalgia,” she said.
The 80’s trend doesn’t apply only to fashion. Music has also been considered.
“I don’t like to listen to the original 80’s songs, but I like to listen to current remakes,” freshman Cambry Knles said.
Today, 80’s music is covered from many artists. “You Spin Me Right Round” by Flo Rida was one of the hit songs in 2008. According to Billboard.com, the song sold 4.4 million digital downloads in 2008. It originated from “You Spin Me Round” by Dead or Alive in 1985. Jay-Z also covered “Hard Knock Life” which was inspired by the movie “Annie,” made in 1982.
If you’re looking for a real 80’s wannabe, check out UATRAV.com for the music video, “Alive,” by Goldfrapp and you’ll be in for a dose of neon lights, crazy make-up and some good electronic beats. Another band really bringing back 80’s pop is Alphabeat that combines the cheerful lyrics and synthesized sounds that were so loved 30 years ago.
Who knows why the 80’s are back? Could it be the death of Michael Jackson that has people nostalgic for spiked leather jackets and mullets, or is it the fashion industry just looking for a cheery alternative to troubled times by using neon colors and bizarre styles?
As Flo Rida would say, the 80’s have come right round and students may want to think twice before laughing at their parents photos. Ultimately, those photos may become congruent to their own.