So, the other day, I got this itch, you know? I was rummaging through some old boxes in the attic, mostly looking for something completely different, and I stumbled upon a couple of my mom’s old fashion magazines from the 80s. And wow, it just hit me. The colors, the shapes! I thought, I absolutely have to try and put together an 80s outfit, just for kicks, to see if I could actually pull it off or at least have a good laugh trying.
Getting Started: The Inspiration Hunt
First thing I did, obviously, was dive deeper than just those couple of magazines. I went online, not for shopping yet, but just for more images. I typed in “women’s clothing 80s” and just scrolled. My eyes were bombarded! We’re talking power shoulders, like, really intense shoulder pads. And the neon colors! Pinks, greens, yellows that could probably glow in the dark. Then there were the leg warmers, the oversized sweaters, acid wash jeans, and don’t even get me started on the hair accessories – scrunchies galore!
I made a sort of mental checklist of key items I thought would scream ’80s’:
- Something with massive shoulder pads.
- Definitely something neon.
- Leg warmers were a must.
- Acid wash denim, if I could find it.
- An oversized top.
The Great Wardrobe Excavation (and a bit of thrifting)
My own closet was a bust for genuine 80s stuff, obviously. I mean, I have some retro-inspired pieces, but not the real deal. So, the next step was a trip to my local thrift store. That place is a goldmine sometimes, and other times, well, it’s just a store full of old clothes. This time, I got lucky! I found this amazing oversized sweatshirt, kind of a faded teal, which felt very 80s. And then, tucked away in a corner, a denim jacket. Not quite acid wash, but a very light, distressed blue that I figured I could work with. No massive shoulder pads yet, though. That was proving to be a challenge.
I actually ended up cheating a bit with the shoulder pads. I remembered I had an old blazer, one I never wear, that had some pretty substantial ones. So, I performed a little DIY surgery and carefully unpicked them. It felt a bit like a secret mission, liberating those shoulder pads for a greater cause.
Putting It All Together: The Experiment
Okay, so I had my pieces: the teal sweatshirt, the light denim jacket (now with temporarily tacked-in shoulder pads), a pair of black leggings I already owned (because balance is key, right?), and for the neon element, I found some outrageously bright pink leg warmers online for cheap. They arrived, and they were… intense. Perfect!
Then came the fun part: actually trying it all on. I put on the leggings, then the sweatshirt. Already feeling a bit a-ha. Then I wrestled with the leg warmers, pulling them up over the leggings. The denim jacket went on top, and I have to say, those shoulder pads made a HUGE difference. Suddenly, my silhouette was all angles and, well, power. It was kind of hilarious and awesome at the same time.
I messed around with the styling. Tucking one side of the sweatshirt into the leggings? Maybe. Pushing the sleeves of the jacket up? Definitely. I even found a wide belt in my closet, another thrift find from ages ago, and cinched it over the sweatshirt. That really pulled it together, surprisingly!
The Grand Reveal (to myself) and Final Thoughts
So there I was, standing in front of my mirror. It was… a look. A very distinct, very 80s look. I couldn’t stop grinning. Did I look like I was about to star in a workout video or join a new wave band? Absolutely. Was it practical for everyday wear in 2023? Probably not, unless I was going to a themed party. But that wasn’t the point.
The point was the process, the fun of hunting down the pieces, and the sheer joy of recreating something so iconic. It was a blast! I spent a good hour just parading around my living room, feeling the vibe. It really makes you appreciate how fashion cycles and how much fun it can be to play with different eras.
Would I do it again? For sure. Maybe next time I’ll tackle 80s evening wear, or try to get the hair even bigger. For now, I’m just happy with my little fashion experiment. It’s a good reminder that clothes can be more than just functional; they can be a source of play and self-expression, even if you’re just doing it for yourself in your living room.
