The 80's Are back, but Am I?

Yes, the 80's trends are in full swing again this season, and I have purchased a studded bracelet or two, some primary colored oversized tees, and yes, a few off-the-shoulder numbers. Why not? I grew up in the 80s, and while it's questionable how well I carried off these trends the first time around, I'm willing to give it another go. Hopefully, long crushed silk blouses with pins at the collar will stay in their respective era. Not sure I could rock that again. Also, I could do without a relaunch of paisley. There was about as much paisley in my closet then as there are ruffles now.

So, I've decided to go through the trends I am glad are back, and those I wish weren't.

Glad You're Back Old Friend
#1
The skinny jean- These of course have been back in style for a while, and if you're still wearing your high waisted mom jeans circa four years ago ladies (and gentleman for that matter), then you might as well keep em, cuz they'll probably come back in about three seasons! Check out the styles of these Bev Hills stars...these are some serious Gap/Levi's classics my friends. We can't forget the oversized cuffed tee which every 90210-er in this pic is sporting. And I thought leggings made me look fat! I've seen a resurgence of Keds lately. A shoe I wore in pale pink all through middle and high school. Big wig wam socks, pegged jeans, and Keds. A fail-safe date outfit to the mall.

The skinny has definitely been modernized with dark rinses that weren't really popular in the 80's, but the bold colored, stretchy styles are everywhere too. In seventh grade I had white stretchies with geometric shapes on them made by Jordache. I thought I was the shit. I also had a pair of super tight pale yellows that I wore with teal suede fringed boots. A tragedy? Oh no, not then...not now.

The skinnies pictured here are great, and look awesome paired with a cool jacket and belt. Unfortunately, my legs are not skinny. This does pose a problem for me, as I cannot successfully pull of this look. I pair my skinnies with long, layered tees, and a big scarf to distract onlookers away from my thighs. This is a trend that is questionable for me, but with a pair of sky high heels, I can sometimes pull it off.


#2
The Oxford- I loved them then, I love them now. For me, the oxford never went out of style. Need your memory jarred? We called them jazz shoes in Jersey...or Capezios (the brand). Last season, before this trend officially came back, I ordered a pair of men's wing tips off J. Crew in my size to wear with slim slacks and cool dresses (another look I can't pull off, but a girl can dream). The shoes came after two months on back-order, and just looked too manly. Then, what do ya know, the oxford comes back in this year in every style you can think of. I've been chasing these reasonably priced Steve Madden's in white suede, but have only found my size in the black patent leather. If I'm going to work this shoe, I have to go all the way baby. White spectator. I have no idea what these shoes will match in my wardrobe. I honestly only see them working with a cool black pant suit with a white tee underneath and an oversized necklace or awesome scarf. Not sure I have that ensemble at the ready though.

I think these bring me back to my days of wearing white bucks in high school. Of course everyone else had the beige Bass ones, but I had to get the white ones. I loved them, and wore them every day. Can you believe I was a total prep in high school? Yikes. I would actually be right in style in Baltimore if I wore all of my high school clothes now. Bucks, Birkenstocks, rugbies, pleated khakis, straight legged faded jeans, and of course a Ralph Lauren button-downs.

#3
The One Piece
I didn't get my first two-piece until I was in eighth grade (I have never called it a bikini for some reason despite working at a swim suit store in college by the name of Bikini Splash where they made me run out to cars with lemonade in a bathing suit top to lure people into the store. After two weeks of that I told the owner it was degrading, and that a polo shirt seemed more appropriate, and she had no choice but to comply. Sorry fellas). I was also unaware I had a body to potentially flaunt or boobies until maybe sophomore year of high school. I was born with no waist. By that, I mean I don't go in on the sides, so I always just felt like a boy. It wasn't until the cute boy that me, my friend Keri, and Amy (both with huge boobs) all liked on the beach chose me to make out with that summer that I realized someone wanted to look and or feel the boy body. By the way, that was the only time in my entire life that I have been chosen over any other girl for this reason. You can imagine it was monumental to me. Luckily I changed out of my fluorescent JAMS and white tee in favor of my white shorts and yellow sleeveless sweater that night. Phfew.

Anyway, I have never really been able to wear a one piece, because most one pieces aren't long enough for my unusually long torso. I can wear race suits, but not fashion suits. I have bought three one pieces in the last two years including this cut-out, cut-low version by Milly that I so loved. Too bad it pulled on my shoulders so hard and was stretched so long that I had to call it quits on my efforts to make it fit. My boobs were barely covered by the straps, and the side went up like a Jane Fonda workout outfit. I wish I could wear this blue Marc Jacobs number because I love it. I bought a sale one piece off J. Crew last year that is similar, but strapless, thinking without straps it would work. No dice. I wore it to the spa the weekend Trent and I went away for my birthday, and it fell off twice in the hot tub at the spa. It looked more like a high-waisted underwear brief. For those of you who can wear a one-piece, do it now.

#4
The Rhinestone Bracelet
Again, it seems like most of my bold moves took place in middle school, but I rocked so many rhinestones that year, I could have made an EBay fortune reselling them all now. I had pins, bracelets up to my elbow (I also had a passion for wearing multiple Swatch watches up my arm), and earrings in every jewel. My faves were hot pink and white. The chunky pearls, and rhinestone-layered bracelets are back, and you better believe I stocked up at Anthro and Forever 21 for these puppies. I own the first four out of five bracelets listed on this page! If you haven't shopped F21 yet, do so. It's the best place to buy trendy knock-off type stuff for cheap, and you don't feel bad when you're wearing bandanas around your wrist instead of stones next fall.

Stay tuned for the trends I wish did not come back...