Spring - Clothes - History

Fashion

E-mail Subscription

Receive an e-mail notification of new posts on this site:

Vimu Subscription

Spring Clothes History - Fashion

Electric Dreams - 80's revival

August 13th 2007 02:44

Love is a Battlefield - Dotti 80's Outfit - image from dotti.com.au

My father was in the fashion business, or rag trade as it's more commonly known amongst those who are part of it. He told me something when I was a young girl that I've never forgotten. That is, when a fashion from a previous time is revived and presented to a new generation of young women, it's always the crass, kitschy, and, well, daggy stuff that seems to come back. Cos really....if it's stylish and has class, it never goes away.

I've always known this was true, having seen the grunge phase emulate hippies, then we all took the p*ss out of the 70's and wore huge bell bottomed flares with leather jackets and lapels almost down to our elbows. It's something I partook in myself, and have seen time and time again. Leopard print and tartan.....they keep coming back.

I read in yesterdays SMH a warning, that those of us who lived in the 80's were going to see a lot of trends paying homage this season to the bright colours and slogan t-shirts from that decade. It's been coming for a while, neon prints were inevitably going to turn into fluoro, and fitted printed tees were going to become oversized slogan tees. I knew it was going to happen, I did. But I see now, that I wasn't fully prepared.

This morning, whilst wandering through a local shopping centre with my hubby, I happened upon Supre. Now I know this is not the pinnacle of couture, that it is a store designed for tweens and adolescents to get their hands on something that's fashionable without over spending their pocket money.

But I didn't expect this. I just wasn't prepared at all, for this.

Supre Store Front - fluoro and slogan's au-go-go

When they said 80's revival......I honestly didn't know that it would go this far. It's not The Pretenders, The Cars, Talking Heads and Elvis Costello 80's. It's Duran Duran, Wham, Kajagoogoo and Wang Chung. Ewwwww! There was a suggestion in the article I read that mentioned if you did it the first time, best not to try again. That's a way of life I like to lead ever since I read it in an interview with Ellen Barkin - it's a fashion philosophy she lives by.

But this?! But THIS?!?! What's next? Socks with ruffles and high heels?! Swatches (with protectors) and roach clips with feathers and beads? Electric Blue mascara? Wearing our sweatshirts tied around our waists? Big bows in our hair? Remember, the 80's did go too far, let's not allow it to happen again. I beg you. Please. I'll give you leg warmers. I'll give you fingerless gloves. Not Reebok white high tops, not fold over acid wash jeans, and most certainly not parachute pants.

Dad owned a clothing store that was family run during the early to mid 80's. We stocked "7/8's" (seven eighths). They were a lengthy capri style jean, tight, with side zippers. They came in all kinds of pastel colours, and also, the ill fated corrugated denim. Does anyone else remember that? It was very stretchy. It had to be otherwise you wouldn't be able to move. I haven't heard the term used for ages.

Well, the text that went with this image on the Supre web site read "Turn up your jeans for summer into a 7/8 length! ". AARRGGHHH!!!

Angel is a Centrefold - Supre Purple 7/8's - pic from supre.com.au

I truly hope all you young-uns enjoy the frivolity and fun that goes with these fashions. They are really silly. I suggest you don't allow anyone to take a photo of you wearing these clothes though. People will bring them out at the most inappropriate times, and you will truly, TRULY, be embarrassed.

If you want to get a glimpse of the original Wham! Wake Me Up Before You Go Go clip, click here. This is the video that started the whole phenomenon - I mean check out that ultra violet section....really! And just by the by, I can't believe we didn't know George Michael was gay!??!

You can still grab "Choose Life" t-shirts, replicas of those seen in the video. I found one on UK web site 8ball, as seen below.....