What is it about high school trends that comforts yet repels me at the same time? Teenage years tend to be torturous as a rule. What we wore determined social standing (as it still does) and coolness factor.
high school days
As an authentic child of the 80′s (graduated 1985 from high school), I distinctly remember freshman year when legwarmers were the rage (barf) and I sported a gold headband in the middle of my forehead. Recently I’ve seen girls walking the mall wearing similar headbands now.
my style back then…
I wasn’t the popular chick, or the dork, prep, jock, or anything like that. I was a “new waver” with super short hair and long bangs that I would rat so they would stay out of my eyes.
I wore mini skirts and big earrings. I loved color; especially makeup. The bolder the better. Hot pink lips and purple eyeshadow paired with bright apricot blush was my going out look. Which company made eyeliner you had to light first so it would melt enough to go onto your eyes? Everyone I knew used it. The result was black heavily lined eyes. Clumpy mascara was perfectly acceptable in the 80′s too.Think back to Pat Benetar or Joan Jet for good examples.
Although my hair was short, I loved wearing headbands. In an effort to be unique, I crafted them from toilet paper. Yes you heard me right. Toilet paper. Maybe it was an effort to shock people or be weird. I always found it amusing whenever I pulled the bow out to blow my nose. (of course, I threw it away after)
more trends than I can remember
This is way before goth. It wasn’t exactly punk either. Boys wore eyeliner and were sometimes prettier than the girls (ie Duran Duran).
I was aware of trends. if I liked them I followed, but I wasn’t obsessed by fashion. If anyone else did the toilet paper hair tie, more power to them. If I was the only one, it made no difference.
the reality of it
I was as insecure as most other teenagers were. My life wasn’t a never-ending John Hughes movie. I liked to think I was like Samantha in Sixteen Candles, but I was way too shy.
Hard to believe that the vivacious mermaid. zebra princess, burlesque dancer before you was ever shy. Looking back, I don’t see what the big deal was. Maybe I am making up for lost time with my antics now. Eech! I don’t want to over analyze this.
enough serious crap
Admittedly I felt like a teenager while filming. Getting out all the obnoxious eyeshadow colors I usually forgo was a total blast. I may have looked like a clown, but I felt like a rock star.
living in the 80′s
What high school trends do you miss? Were you a rocker, punk or prep? I’m thinking on my next bad hair day, it will be a good excuse for toilet paper headband. Who will join me?
This post was inspired by the weekly vlog prompt from Mama Kat 5.) A trend from your high school days that you miss.
