Fashion commentary

By Jamilah Dodd

Homewood-Flossmoor High School

STOP! Before you call the fashion police on your parents, their back-in-the-day trends may be back in style. Teens are bridging the generation gap by updating fashions from the ’80s.

Some teens know the styles come from the ’80s but most teens think it’s something new.

Blazers in the ’80s had shoulder pads that gave women a broad look, sending a message of power and independence. The boyfriend blazers pop divas Beyonce and Rihanna wear today are akin to Janet Jackson’s bolder-shoulder look from her “Control” video.

Another eye-catcher that everyone loves is pants. Tight acid-wash jeans once popular are still tight but come in bright neon colors. We have our harem pants that are reminiscent of MC Hammer pants, only our pants don’t have as many zippers and are made of cotton and not leather or parachute material. The most popular pants were high-waisted and are reemerging for fall 2010.

What made the outfits amazing in the ’80s were the accessories. Madonna piled on black rubber-band bracelets and chain necklaces with chunky marble-like pieces or trinkets. Today, people would think of her fishnet leggings and arm warmers as something that is “Emo” or punk.

Celebrities such as Michael Jackson often sported aviator glasses in the early ’80s, but a younger generation has taken the glasses to a whole new level. Lady Gaga adds chains, cigarettes and wind chimes to her aviators.

Hair is also on the remake list. Hair was a major accessory in the ’80s, from big hair (teased and puffy) to spiky short cuts. Rihanna has revived Pepa’s asymmetrical hairstyle--one side shaved off and full bangs. Some 30 years later, the one-half of the hip-hop duo, Salt-N-Pepa, reminds us that the asymmetrical was accidental. The edgy look was result of a bad perm and subsequent bad cut.

It’s no accident that our generation is bringing it all back with some new twists. It’s clear to see why teens love vintage because it’s like reliving the past. The main point is to notice the fashion statement and love it, but know that this is nothing new.