I have a soft spot for the ‘80s. There, I admitted it. My affection for that decade runs deep, a sentiment only those who grew up during that time can truly grasp. I can’t help but feel a little smug when I hear those flannel-clad ‘90s kids raving about their grunge anthems or when a Millennial waxes poetic about the wonders of auto-tune.
The ‘80s were a unique era where life often felt like a John Hughes film, and awkwardness was the norm. Everything was extreme—especially my shoulder pads. It was like one endless party fueled by synthesizer beats.
But my love for the ‘80s goes beyond the music and fashion; it’s rooted in my teenage years. Let’s be real: teenagers are often foolish. They wear ridiculous outfits and communicate in monosyllabic grunts. They think they know everything and believe they’ve created the latest trends. What they fail to realize is that in two decades, they’ll look back at their fashion choices with utter embarrassment.
One of the luxuries we had as ‘80s teens was the ability to mess up without the world documenting it on social media. We could be silly without the fear of someone unearthing those cringe-worthy moments. Thank goodness, or else someone might remember the utterly foolish things I did—like practicing my signature as “Mrs. Alex Carter” on my notebooks. After my brief infatuation with a boy band star, I eagerly transitioned to my crush on the charming character from a movie, Alex Carter. I was convinced we were destined for matrimony, so I repeatedly scribbled my future name all over my school supplies. At least I spared myself the embarrassment of having my towels monogrammed.
Let’s talk about step aerobics. Yes, I was that person, until the day my knees started protesting like an old creaky door and I took a spectacular tumble in front of my entire class. Step aerobics was supposed to be a fun way to get fit while rocking neon spandex, but it might just be one of the most embarrassing workout trends, right up there with the ThighMaster. And yes, I tried that too.
I was also obsessed with the supermodels of the ‘80s, plastering my walls with photos of top models like Cindy and Naomi. When no one was around, I would strut around my room practicing my supermodel walk, which usually ended with me tripping over my own feet on the shag carpet.
And who could forget the infamous double polo shirt trend? Yes, I was one of those people, earning the nickname “Double Polo” in high school. The extra layers were completely unnecessary, but I was determined to have my collars perfectly coordinated.
During my preppy phase, I was all about pink and gray. I wore those colors to the point where my mother had to help me dye pennies gray to match my pink loafers. I looked like a walking advertisement for Esprit, owning so much of their clothing that I could have easily passed for an employee.
Leg warmers and moon boots were also part of my wardrobe, despite living in sunny California. I have no idea who started that trend, but I fully embraced it, even if it meant sweating profusely. At least I thought I looked good!
Then there was my hair phase, aptly described as “Shirley Temple on Red Bull” after my first perm. The smell alone was questionable, but the results were downright shocking.
I also dreamed of being a backup singer for Sting. I attended every concert I could, and when Sting went solo, I was there, mesmerized not by him but by his talented backup singers. I practiced my moves in front of the mirror, envisioning a future where I could major in backup singing—if only I could carry a tune!
I embraced all the ‘80s fashion staples: shoulder pads, sweater dresses, and plastic accessories. Sure, they were often made from flammable materials, but they were fabulously over the top. No other generation sported shoulder pads as wide as mine or dresses entirely knitted.
While ‘90s kids can recite every Nirvana lyric and Millennials think Taylor Swift is a modern-day genius, we ‘80s kids know we had the best of both worlds. We could be foolish without anyone recording those awkward moments for posterity. Respect.
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In summary, the ‘80s were a wild time filled with unforgettable fashion, music, and teenage antics. Though we may look back and cringe, we can take pride in the fact that we lived our lives without the scrutiny of the internet, allowing us to embrace our inner goofballs.
Keyphrase: 80s nostalgia
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