Fashion infiltration of the 1980s
February 11, 2011
Parachute pants, big hair and acid wash jeans are three things I’m glad didn’t come back from 80s fashion. Who likes 80s fashion you may ask? Many people may not realize that their fashionable items originated from the 80s, but they did.
With the resurgence of 80s styles there were many specific items that came back. The most popular so far seems to be lace being used in shirts, shoes and over shirts. Admit it; you might have some lace in your closet. Other popular items are open-necked sweatshirts, chunky jewelry, leg warmers and the combination of loose, flowing tops with tighter fitting pants. The distressed jeans were also a popular item of the 80s, but our wearing of them now is not as prominent as it was a few years ago.
Another popular item from the eighties that has been dormant for some time is leggings. Leggings are back in force and in all colors imaginable! They have even crossed with jeans to make “jeggings,” or leggings that resemble jeans. I in all honesty kind of want a pair, but I don’t know what I would wear them with.
Leggings are worn fashionably with any number of items such as open-necked sweatshirts, long tops, under exercise wear or with leg warmers and a skirt. The possibility for fashionable wear is endless.
Chunky jewelry such as the two and three finger rings, long strings of beads, or the large “bling” like pendants are back for another round. Madonna is attributed with making the large bejeweled pendants popular in the 80s.
The large rings are cute, but I find them utterly ridiculous. If their sole purpose for being is to keep me from doing anything with my hands, then they succeeded.
I’m excited for having a use for my leg warmers. My personal 80s outfit of choice includes my beat up converse high tops, leggings, leg warmers, jean miniskirt, hooded sweatshirt and jacket of choice. It’s warm, comfortable and can be worn at just about any time, except in the winter when I have classes in Shawnee Hall.
Fashion hasn’t been the only venue that the 80s have infiltrated. They have also been resurging into our pop culture. For those who enjoy Glee, they’re not just singing show tunes. Episodes featured music from quite a few big 80s artists.
Journey and Queen were both featured in the Season one finale, both big 80s bands. A few others from the 80s, whose songs have graced the lips of the Glee cast, are The Pretenders, Madonna and Van Halen.
So if you ever wonder wear these crazy fashions come from, check out pop culture history.
