I’ve been known to indulge in a good Madonna song and work out to “Beat It.” I also love romantic comedies starring big-haired Julia Roberts and fantasizing that I’m the girl in Dirty Dancing. In short, I love the 80s. And no offense 2000s—but I kind of wish I went to high school then too.
But as easy it is to kick back 80s-style and watch Ferris Bueller, it’s not so easy to dress 80s-style. Well, actually, scratch that—it’s easy alright. See Halloween 80s workout girls and 80s nights, both jokes poking fun at the outrageous decade. But with the re-arrival of high-waisted skirts, shorts, and now even jeans on your local mall’s shelves, how can we pull off 80s-inspired style and look not ridiculous, but hot? I decided to take the challenge and find out.
It all starts when I spot a sleek pair of high-waisted jeans at Urban Outfitters. They’re slim-fitting and hug my legs tightly, which looks good. Plus, one good thing about the high waist is that muffin tops are no longer a problem. Also, by choosing a tight-but-not-too-tight size in the all-forgiving color of black, I mostly avoid the problem of over-emphasized hip and thigh bumps, and check out satisfied.
One crisis averted, but on to the next one– what do I wear with this? I try tucking in my favorite V-neck t-shirt, but the fabric bunches up under my jeans creating yet another unseemly bump. I repeat with t-shirt after t-shirt, and still, the same problem. For a while, I just wear my shirts over top and no one can tell I’m wearing high-wasted jeans at all.
Finally, I realize the key—a cropped top. Now even though these mini-shirts hit store shelves a while ago, I always swore them off as ridiculous. I was not going bare my belly for the whole world to see, no matter how in style it was. But when I tried on a loose, scoop-neck crop tee from H&M (only 8 bucks?!) I finally found my match—the hemlines line up perfectly– and there’s no stomach in sight.
For the rest of the accessories, all you have to do is look in your closet. I tuck my jeans into my usual winter boots. When it was blissfully warm last week (WHY did that end?), I threw a cropped cardigan over top, and when it got chillier again, I pulled out my leather jacket.
So, ladies, what do you think? Not too overwhelmingly 80s, at all. Sure, a couple of my guy friends made fun of my “mom jeans,” but really, will guys ever understand certain trends?
And to all of you who have a favorite decade, whether it’s 80s or not, I encourage you let it slip into your style because you might just find you have more fun that way.