Growing up, I remember going through my mother’s old pictures and seeing those amazing vintage shades, high-waisted bell-bottoms, beautiful long hippie dresses and strappy Jesus sandals she used to wear, pleading “Why Mom? Why? Why did you give it all away?” Now, that I’m all grown up, I walk into a store like American Apparel and wonder if they went fishing through my give-away bags when I was a kid in the 80’s. When it comes to fashion, everything comes back in cycles. What’s “new” is really just an evolution and tweak of what’s past. Here’s a post for all you 80’s kids who like me, are probably regretting all those e-Bay opportunities you must have missed seeing hipsters strut around in our old gear.

Remember these?

Slap Bracelets

 

I used to have a collection of these self-harming accessories, including my very own New Kids on the Block one. They were popular among pre-teens and teens in the late 80’s but were eventually banned from schools after many students suffered wrist injuries. Now that enough time has elapsed and people have forgotten the potential dangers of  arm jewelry that once splayed open a kid’s artery, slap bracelets are back!

Jelly Bracelets

To go with their giant hoop earrings, girls used to wear jelly bracelets up to their elbows. Mine went about half way, on one arm only, and glowed in the dark.

Fishnet Gloves

 

My mother would never let me leave the house wearing a pair of these, but the hooker-look was certainly as fashionable then as it is now.

Off-The Shoulder Sweaters

 

 

Colorful Wayferer Sunglasses

 

Flip through the pages of Nightlife or Vice and you’ll find scenesters love to hide their coke-blasted eyes behind a pair of Wayferers. My pair was neon pink and black and I used to wear them while playing my Sanyo synthesizer.

Nerd Glasses

 

Flip through the pages of Nightlife or Vice and all of a sudden that kid who used to get pointed at, or pummelled for wearing those enormously awkward, thick, plastic-rimmed glasses is a sexy, love-getting machine. The nerds finally got their revenge.

Scrunchies

 

Though the elasticity of scrunchies was sometimes debatable, I loved them because they were gentle and didn’t rip out the fragile hairs from my scalp. Scrunchies have now made a comeback, continuing to help ponytails stay high and off-centered.

Gem Sweaters

 

Gaudy, grotesque and utterly glam. For those of you have never had the privilege to see Leslie Hall sing about her gem sweaters check this out:

Leg Warmers

 

 

Certainly practical when wanting to keep those shins warm, leg warmers bring back another fond 80’s memory. Anyone else use to layer their socks?

Animal Print Leggings

 

Animal print tights used to be a girl thing. That trend seems to have extended to some guys now too.

Tapered Acid Wash Denim

 

Now, this was probably one of the most shocking comebacks I thought I would never see again. Stripping the color of the top layer of denim, acid wash jeans were sincerely hideous, but when I slipped into my skin-tight pair of acid-washed Guess jeans with zippers at the bottom, I was a rockstar. Can’t say I’m glad to see these again though.

Kid Bikes

 

Not sure how or why it is cool to ride around on your kid sister’s bike, but I’ve seen some of the baddest looking guys do it.

BMX

 

BMX will always be rad.

Peewee’s Bicylce

 

I know you are but what am I?  Unlike Peewee’s awesome bike, which could fly over rooftops, I’ve seen bikes like these being sold for over $600 with but one measly speed.

Keds

 

Now worn in white to better amass dirt.

 Converse

 

Reebok Freestyles

 

Let’s get physical.

Jellies

 

Snap-Crotch Bodysuits

 

Personally, I was never a fan of the wedgies I’d constantly tug at in snap-crotch bodysuits. Guess I’m alone on that one.

Parachute Pants

Parachute pants have been all the rage in Europe for at least five years and are slowly beginning to infiltrate the North American market. Perfect if you like the diaper look.

Cycling Shorts

 

I lived in cycling shorts, though I preferred the black neoprene ones with thick neon stripes running along the sides.

Adidas Tennis Shorts

 

Stirrup Pants

 

Any other 80’s fashions that have made a comeback, you can think of?