80s Party, originally uploaded by academichic.Sources:
On L (left):
- Vintage romper – thrifted in LA
- Shoes – Payless
- Hoops – her first pair from age 6
- Bracelet – gift
On S:
- Navy tank – Old Navy
- Leggings – Target
- Silver skirt – Express, via TJMaxx
- Silver flats – Target
- Off-the shoulder tee – thrifted and cut up for 80s party
- Earrings – loaner from L.
On T (right):
- 80s workout jacket – from his closet in the 80s
- Jeans – Izod, bleached for 80s party
Endnotes:
While A. was enjoying a serene (I assume) picnic in the park with her friends and A2 this weekend, T., our roommate L., and I spent a rockin’ night at an 80s throwback party. It was ace. We all pulled out our best 80s garb and improvised by making some last minute DIY alterations to complete our looks. T. actually owned this black, white, and neon orange workout jacket back in the 80s (don’t ask) and he made his white jeans by soaking a pair of old jeans from his to-donate-pile in a bucket of water and bleach solution for an hour. He even pegged his pant cuffs the way he used to have the cool girls at his schools help him do it during his 80s childhood.
Meanwhile, our roommate L. sported an awesome pink, green, and yellow striped romper that is an actual vintage piece she scored at a thrift store in L.A. a while back. L, a native Californian, was hoping to actually wear this item this summer (since rompers are definitely making a come-back) but was dismayed to see that Midwest fashion hasn’t quite embraced the romper look yet. So she played it safe and pulled it out for our 80s theme party instead, where she more than rocked the look with her matching pink hoops and perky side ponytail.
I improvised by throwing items together out of my existing wardrobe and just making a last minute run to Goodwill for this oversized teal tee. I then had T. cut the neckline for me while I was already wearing it (to easily see how much to cut off), creating that signature one-exposed-shoulder look of the 80s. Big hoop earrings and my own big poofy side ponytail finished my ensemble.
We had such a blast listening to 80s chart toppers, pulling out any 80s slang we could remember, and hanging out with our friends. We even rode our bikes there (teens in the 80s always rode bikes and then threw them carelessly on their front lawns, right?) and, of course, posed in the Karate Kid Shower Curtain photo booth. It was totally boss. S.
Rollback to the 80s, originally uploaded by academichic.
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Omg, your outfits are all kinds of awesome. Would have loved to seen more neon and perhaps a bit of acid wash though to solidify your looks even more. :)
I always wonder where you guys are when you say Midwest. I wear rompers all the time in Chicago and think your friend should just go for it! Be brave and venture forth!
I turned 13 in 1980, so my formative years were entirely in the 80s. You guys hit it perfectly! I definitely did side ponytails, rompers, and peg-legged jeans, along with many other lovely 80s trends. I never did embrace the off-the-shoulder sweatshirt look, though!
@Christina – I am definitely not in Chicago – I wish! :)
I will pass the message on to L. though and I wholeheartedly agree – the romper is pretty awesome on her. S.
I’ve already commented, but that romper was haunting me. I started having flashbacks to my sister wearing a striped romper in those exact colors. The memory became clearer, and I knew I had a picture of her wearing it somewhere, so I had to pull out the circa 1985 photo album. I found the picture I was remembering! It was my grandmother’s 90th birthday party, and my sister was wearing THAT romper, albeit with slightly wider stripes. Even funnier to me was that *I* also was wearing a romper, in a solid rose color.
Ha… Love it. T has been hanging on to a whole lot of awesomeness by having that jacket in his closet….
I was pretty young in the 80s, but I certainly kept the 80s style going in elementrary school.
I love this. Thanks for sharing!
Hilarious…you all look so happy! And I’ve seen quite a bit of rompers making a comeback her in NYC and LI!