I had a lot of fun in the '80s. Asymmetrical cuts, florescent Ts and leggings, tapered jeans and oversized shirts: I done did all those things. I also wore a lot of preppy turned-up collar shirts and Laura Ashley school-girl dresses (I was in a sorority, gosh darn it! It was required!). It's easy to mock past trends. But don't you remember how great you felt in those jeans from Express with the X-tra large tank top? Or the flats with the knit skirt/sweater combo? I do. I was totally comfortable with the clothes in the '80s.
Many of those trends resurface again...and again...and again. And as someone who's been-there-done-that, I have to pick and choose carefully. Acid-washed tapered jeans might look great on Kate Bosworth, but they're not gonna work for me. So sad, too bad. I'm at a place where I'm happy to incorporate a trend here and there but I have to have some consistent standards so I don't look like a foo'. Those standards are:
- Wear nothing that emphasizes my butt. That means if I'm wearing a shorter sweater, I better gosh darn be wearing dark pants or a skirt (dark jeans work). No sweatpants with Aeropostal on the ass.
- Wear nothing that emphasizes my thighs. That means doing monochromatic dressing or pants that don't grab my legs or skirts that fit appropriately and float around my knees. So stirrup pants and a bustier aren't on my must do list.
- Dress to elongate. This is hard to do when one is 5'3" but it is possible. I almost always wear skirts and dresses that stop at my knee or just above (it's important to show that I actually have shins - so the fall trend of long skirts will not be happening for me - the Olsen twins can rock that because they weigh 8 lbs combined). I always try to wear a V-neck or scoop and show my collar bones - makes my kneck look longer.
- Bring attention to my face: it's the money maker.
- Wear heels. Yup, I know, they're bad for me. But I feel stronger, sexier and taller. Even though I haven't run in a year, my calves still look good (because of said heels). You can't get that with a pill. (And note, my mom didn't wear a high heels for about 50 years and she's bed-ridden - so I'll take my chances). Invest in shoes: they'll always fit.
If I want to rock an '80s look today, I'd happily choose one of these suits by Yves Saint Laurent that The Sartoralist posted (credit to him for the above pic).
Now excuse me while I go slip into my Frankie Says Relax florescent pink t-shirt and go to bed.
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