t From the shows we love... to the fashion we to love to hate... ’s the 80 are totally back! I have a confession. I’m a massive fan ‘The 80s is one of the most clearly-de- by Natasha Wynarczyk of the eighties. My wardrobe is packed fined decades of the 20th century, full of sparkly, shoulder-padded vintage so it’s very accessible.’ historian Dr jackets. I love watching episodes of Top Graham Stewart, author of Bang! A of the Pops from the decade for style History of America in the 1980s, tells (and dancing) inspiration. I recently me. ‘In the 90s and early 00s, things paid almost $150 to spend a weekend like 80s fashion were widely decried, watching 80s synth bands perform. but now there’s a more nuanced Aside from living in the decade itself, appreciation for it among young people, British Culture in the 1980s module at there’s seemingly no better time who have an excitement for the decade the University of Southampton, says. ‘A to be an 80s aficionado. From TV and want to experience it for the first lot of people are looking back to what to fashion, the decade’s influence time if they weren’t born then.’ they perceive as more innocent times is apparently everywhere. I won- ‘It’s similar to the 50s revival experi- before radical change took hold — for der where this fascination – as well enced by people in the 1980s,’ Profes- example some of us are becoming nos- as my own – has come from. sor Nicky Marsh, who co-ordinates the talgic for a time before the Internet.’ 2 :: StyleCaster Magazine 3 :: StyleCaster Magazine I wonder if being “ nostalgic in this “way might be a bad thing, and I’m only like this because I’m uncertain about my own future. expression and exhibitionism,’ Jacqui to Brook Shields’ bushy 80s brows. Markham, Global Design Director at Perms, the hairstyle associated with the TV MUSIC TOPSHOP, tells me. ‘After seasons decade, are being re-imagined for mil- being driven to school in the 90s, 80s’ One of the biggest TV hits in recent ‘San Junipero’ was so popular that ing Coachella. Pioneering 80’s electro of tracksuits, it’s so refreshing to lennialswho want relaxed, beachy curls. music was frequently on our car radio years was Stranger Things. Set in Black Mirror creator Charlie Brooker musician Gary Numan collaborated with bring sculpted and body-conscious as it was still fairly recent, so it evokes the early 1980s, the Netflix show was created a 42-song Spotify playlist soon-to-be-massive dance act Dusky silhouettes back into play again.’ happy memories of my childhood. OF a pastiche of iconic and cult movies featuring music that inspired – and on their recent album, Outer, too. ‘Mom jeans’ have become the most POsITIVES and books from the decade, drawing appeared – in the episode. Of course, Last year, we sadly lost three amazing popular denim style in the UK according NOSTAlGIA influences from Alien, The Goonies and Belinda Carlisle’s Heaven is a Place 80s’ icons – David Bowie, Prince and FASHION to lyst and most online boutiques have Stephen King novels and bringing these on Earth, the song which perfectly George Michael. This created a new whole sections dedicated to 80’s-in- There’s a line in the LCD Soundsystem to a whole new generation. begun and ended the programme, legion of younger fans keen to check AND BEAUTY spired fashion. Lyst also say searches song Losing My Edge where lead sing- Of course, the most quintessentially was on there, along with hits by The out their back catalogue, as well as that include the term ‘ruffle’ have in- er James Murphy throws the gauntlet 80s TV show was Dynasty. The soap, Smiths, T’Pau and Janet Jackson. club nights dedicated to their music. One of the biggest looks for 2017 creased by 32% since November, and down at hipsters, accusing them of filled with big hair, even bigger shoulder Film of the year La La Land features a There could also be a psychological is 80s-inspired fashion. Think me- there’s been a 14% increase in search- having ‘borrowed nostalgia for the unre- pads and bitchy characters summed up scene where a trendy LA pool party is reasoning behind our renewed love of tallic ruffles, shoulder pads and es for one-shoulder dresses, with membered 80s’. This line really reso- the decade’s excess. You can’t have a sound-tracked by an (admittedly dodgy) 80s music. In 2013, a study published one-shoulder dresses, which ap- black being the most popular colour. nates with me, and kind of makes me proper 1980s revival without it – which eighties cover band. We can also hear in the journal Psychological Sciences peared in their droves on the catwalks 80’s makeup was bright and bold, with cringe too – after all, I wasn’t born until is why it’s currently rumoured to be 80s influences, like synthesizers and asked university-age subjects to listen at last September’s Paris Fashion fuschia lips and colour-popped cheeks. 1988 and don’t have any real lived ex- undergoing a remake. Joan Collins electronic bleeps in the EDM which to music from 1955-2009. Though the Week. In November 2016 Marc Vogue has told us it ‘s time to do away perience of the decade. I wonder if be- is even apparently keen to reprise dominated radio stations throughout the strongest emotions were conjured by Jacobs threw a super-hip party in with our contour palettes and embrace ing nostalgic in this way might be a bad her role as the scheming Alexis. course of last year and there’s a new songs from the present day, a second Brooklyn. The theme? 80’s chic. bold makeup instead and brands gain- thing, and I’m only like this because The standout episode of the latest trend for re-imagining current hits as set of powerful feelings were connect- Topshop Unique’s London show paid ing traction at the moment include NYX I’m uncertain about my own future. I’m season of Black Mirror was ‘San Juni- power ballads emerging on YouTube. ed to songs from the 80s – when their homage to the heyday of London’s who have lip hues in flaming oranges anxious about being able to ever earn pero’. The love story, set in the future This is also going to be the year of the parents were a similar age. The theory fashion markets and iconic 80s venues and new romantic dark purples. The a good wage, buy a house and so on. where a kind of electronic cloud allows 80s comeback. Phil Collins, Depeche behind why this happened is that music Camden Palace and Blitz. ‘It’s such a current trend for statement eyebrows Thankfully, psychologist Anita Abrams for ‘nostalgia therapy’, largely takes Mode and Rick Astley have announced from the era was the soundtrack to their great era to look back on for inspira- and microblading (a kind of semi-per- tells me being nostalgic can be posi- place in a 1980s tropical dream world. massive tours, and New Order are play- upbringing. This makes sense to me - tion as it championed individualism, manent brow tattoo) pays homage tive, with studies showing that it can 4 :: StyleCaster Magazine 5 :: StyleCaster Magazine actually improve mood and make you way. Recently, they’ve resurfaced to the more imaginative. ‘I actually see being point where they’re not even a trend nostalgic as a very positive thing,’ she anymore, just a preferential style. says. ‘It’s a very enquiring and creative gesture. You’ve made a connection White Heels between your own personal values and During the 1980s, white boots and Aim Higher that of those visible at a different time pumps were it—the skinnier the heel, On the field. and it’s a sign of a searching mind. the better—and were worn by everyone There’s also no problem with getting from Cyndi Lauper wannabes (with On the court. more of a sense of history either.’ legwarmers) to high school prom-goers Social media has a massive part to play (with ruffled mini dresses.) After that, On the streets. in passing on trends, whether it’s the they were widely considered to be garish sharing of 80s fashion imagery from and pretty much disappeared. During old issues of The Face on Instagram or the last few seasons, though, we’ve Success is achieved only by YouTube videos of Old Grey Whistle seen the come back in a very big way. Just do it. Test Smiths performances being posted those who put their heart on your friends’ Facebook walls. Gold lamé So enjoy your ‘searching mind’. Pop During the 1980s, giant lamé jackets, into their work, and by doing on your best velvet shoulder padded poofy dresses, and shiny skirts were par dress, backcomb your hair into oblivion, for the course. Now, the fabric has calmed so, make work their passion. sip a Babycham and stick on that down quite a bit, with designers like Human League vinyl you bought from Karen Walker using it on camis, shorts, At Nike, we do nothing less. Rough Trade – the eighties really are and culottes paired with neutral staples. back with a bang. Pegged Jeans 8 Trends The coolest ‘80s kids sported cuffed that Prove pants, but not just any cuff—they had to be tightly-rolled in a style known the 80s Are as pegging. It’s not as easy as it Totally Back sounds—find a good tutorial—but we’re seeing folks get back on board with it, Shoulder pads from It-girls to brands like J.