Page 2A • Freeman Brookfield & Elm Grove DECEMBER 2019 1980s fashions return The FREEMAN Trends included power suits, acid-washed jeans and punk attitude Established in 1859

By Katherine Beck Stretch was a big part of [email protected] fashion in the 1980s and has Brookfield & Elm Grove 262-513-2644 led to the ability to create THIS MONTH yoga pants that are worn Love it or hate it, the ’80s everywhere by women now. How to reach us had a sense of style unlike A Christmas 1984 JC Pen- any decade before or since, ney catalogue shows a vari- 801 N. Barstow St., P.O. Box 7, although many fashion ety of fabrics — from color- Waukesha, WI 53187 pieces such as acid-washed, ful polyester dresses to 262-542-2500 high-waisted jeans, fanny quilted country-style paja- Hours: M-F 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. packs, and ruffled blouses mas. are returning to wardrobes. Men’s fashions If you have a news tip from the Last month, Southern There were many fash- Brookfield/Elm Grove area, contact Living magazine posted a ion trends men in the 1980s Katherine Michalets at 513-2644 story highlighting more also followed, from the or [email protected] than a dozen clothing items rocker look with long hair beloved in the 1980s and and torn jeans and a T- To advertise in “Brookfield & Elm Grove finding new popularity in shirt to preppy epitomized This Month” call the advertising 2019. with pastel-colored polos department at (262) 513-2624. “The 1980s are remem- and sweaters draped bered as one of the most Submitted photo around shoulders. To subscribe to the daily Freeman questionable (but daring!) Donna Ricco works on her dress designs in the 1980s. Men’s Fashion Magazine call 542-2500 decades in fashion history. said pop culture was a big From shoulder pads and Freeman influencer for the males in subscription rates oversized blazers to ruffles the ’80s. • By in-county mail EZ Buy and the doorknocker ear- “The look that often 13 weeks...... $64.50 .....$17.90 a month rings, it seems like every- 26 weeks...... $123 with credit card ruled the 80’s was often 52 weeks...... $234 thing was big in the ’80s. cool and casual. ‘Miami Electronic edition And don’t even get us start- Vice’ was a popular TV • Out-of-county mail ...... $13.67 a month ed on the beauty trends 13 weeks...... $82.50 with credit card series at the time and men 26 weeks...... $162 of the ’80s. Even though liked to follow the style of 52 weeks...... $318 some of the looks should Don Johnson and Philip never resurface (ahem - Circulation Dept. Michael Thomas. This To reach the Circulation Department call hair crimpers, bless your kind of style consisted of 542-2501 or go to hearts), many fashion casual T-shirts under www.gmtoday.com/wfhelp. trends are actually back in designer jackets, suits in style today,” reads the Influencers pastel and bright colours. FREEMAN MANAGEMENT article by Mary Shannon Both pop culture and pol- Loafers and boat shoes Wells. Bill Yorth - Publisher & Editor-in-Chief 513-2671 itics influenced the design were popular at the time [email protected] “Whether you’re sur- of dresses during that and were often worn with- Katherine Beck - Managing Editor...... 513-2644 prised, excited, or horri- decade, Ricco said. out socks; also it was the [email protected] fied, ’80s fashion has made She cited conservative style to wear your sleeves Jim Baumgart - Freeman Group Ad Director..513-2621 its way to the 21st century. and strong political women pushed up and your jackets [email protected] Luckily, most of the trends such as then-British Prime open,” reads the article. Tim Haffemann - Circulation Director..513-2640 that have found their way Submitted photo [email protected] Minister Margaret Thatch- While there are several Patricia Scheel - Prepress Manager...513-2690 back to the racks are er and the powerful female Donna Ricco made her mark in the fashion industry by articles online about men’s [email protected] toned-down versions of the TV characters like Christal launching a line of dresses in the 1980s. fashion in the 1980s, the Joe Rocha - Mailroom Supervisor...... 513-2659 originals.” and Alexis of “Dynasty” as resurgence of it in today’s [email protected] Even Seventeen maga- influencing the power suit fashion has not been as sig- NEWS DEPARTMENT zine, is promoting how and the sharp, strong sil- “On the other side, was much information,” Ricco nificant. teenagers and young adults the rebellion, there was the said. Local News - Katherine Beck...... 513-2644 houette of the 1980s. [email protected] of today can incorporate “Women were starting to punk, the punk rockers. New market New needs Business - Katherine Beck...... 513-2644 “old school” lightweight come to the forefront of the People who really wanted While people who wore [email protected] nylon jackets and jelly san- politics in the 1980s,” Ricco to rebel against that conser- The role of women was the high-waisted jeans and Sports - Pat Neumuth...... 513-2667 dals from the “like, totally said. vatism,” Ricco said. “They changing in the 1980s. power suits of the 1980s [email protected] awesome decade” into their The female silhouette were almost dressing for Death Notices - Shana Duffy...... 513-2618 Fewer women were stay-at- may be averse to wearing [email protected] day-to-day outfits. was defined in the 1980s by war; they had spikey shoes home moms and were join- the styles again, their Newsroom Fax...... 262-542-8259 For Donna Ricco, execu- strong shoulders, often and spiked hair.” ing the workforce in daughters and grand- tive fellow of fashion for emphasized with shoulder The emergence of MTV increasing numbers. daughters are likely CLASSIFIEDS: 542-2211 Hours: M -F 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. the Mount Mary University pads and big sleeves, and a added a significant visual While women’s embracing items from School of Art and Design, small waist. effect for fashion in the sportswear was introduced their closets. PHOTO REPRINTS the 1980s were an excellent Ricco’s dress line reflect- 1980s. in the 1970s, it really flour- “I think it’s more for a Color reprints are $25 each. Call 542-2501 time to be involved in the ed those pop culture influ- “They were exposed to ished in the 1980s, Ricco younger customer who has PAGE REPRINTS fashion industry. ences, as well as responded that from MTV,” Ricco said. said. never worn it before; it’s Go to www.gmtoday.com/freemanreprints She graduated in 1981 to the fact that more “They had a visual to who As women became more new to her,” Ricco said of The Freeman is printed on recycled newsprint. from Mount Mary Univer- women were working and was making it, instead of active and took on more the resurgence of 1980s sity and headed to New wanted to look profession- just hearing it.” roles, they also got more fashions. “They say if you York City to launch her al. Michael Jackson’s sense into physical fitness and have worn it before you career as a women’s fash- “I sold dresses and many of style got both men soon fashion designers should never wear it ion designer. Her dresses of the dresses were day- and women buying short, were making leg warmers again.” would eventually grace the time dresses that had a edgy jackets (a la the (remember “Flashdance”), Ricco also believes that pages of Glamour and Cos- strong shoulder, had a sim- music videos “Bad” and leotards (“Let’s Get Physi- “new fashion thrives when mopolitan, as well as be ple silhouette,” she said. “Thriller”) and embellish- cal” by Olivia Newton- it is based on something worn by Michelle Obama in But, not all females of the ments, like chords and John) and track suits. historical.” 2008. 1980s were looking to cap- sequins. Fabrics that were intro- Through the decades, the Ricco’s focus was on ture that powerful look. “That was really exciting duced around that time most-wearable fashion dresses - and the women of to have access to so many Like us on Facebook: There were other celebri- period also aided in new draws from the past, she www.facebook.com/WaukeshaFreem the 1980s loved a beautiful ties making their mark on visuals. That was also kinds of clothing, such as said. Also driving the dress, especially ones with the fashion industry, such helped with the invention the first woven stretch Follow us on Twitter: resurgence of ’80s fashions www.twitter.com/WaukeshaFreema padded shoulders that as Madonna, Billy Idol and of the Web. All of a sudden pants for men and women, is that celebrities have created a strong silhouette. Joan Jett. people could access so Ricco said. embraced the look. Malls From Page 1A were fabulous. I enjoyed the food court in the late 1980s.” As an employee of a Brook- field Square retailer in the 1980s, Meisekothen also recalled what life at the mall was like in the time period. During this era, Meisekothen said the mall for a time had the second-largest Sears in the U.S. GONE, BUT NOT “I worked there when I was in high school. Sears was FORGOTTEN completely remodeled in the 1980s,” Meisekothen said. These Milwaukee-area mall “Brookfield Square had cake mainstays were all the rage in decorating contests. The Photos courtesy of the Waukesha County Historical Society and Museum the 1980s, but have since gone malls were incredible.” Shoppers stroll through Brookfield Square. to the retail graveyard. Some of While the selection of these brands have gone on to retailers, at times, overlapped second lives as online-only or was similar from one mall kid, but as I reflect personally enterprises, while others contin- to the next, West Milwaukee on malls at their peak popu- ue to line the shelves of other resident Charlotte Fleis- larity through my adult set of retail shops. chman said each shopping eyes, I have to say there were In some instances, these names complex had its own unique interesting places from a soci- morphed into other chains as personality — a trait she said ological perspective. Sure, acquisitions and consolidations she misses today. they were popular teen hang- picked up “The experience was differ- outs. But they also were Whatever the outcome, all of ent at each mall,” Fleischman places where young adults, these names have disappeared said. “They had their own middle-aged adults and from the corridors of malls specialness, offering different seniors frequented — espe- stores, restaurants and the cially once mall walking across the U.S. overall look of the mall. The became an actual thing. malls today are all the same. It seems the heyday of Aladdin’s Castle Nothing sets them apart from malls has faded, though I’m B. Dalton Bookstore the other.” not convinced they will all Babbage’s Waukesha resident vanish. Brookfield Square, of Boston Store Heather White also shared course, is in the midst of a Camelot Music some of her favorite memo- high-profile makeover — one Casual Corner ries of shopping at Brookfield that could reinvigorate that Chess King Square as a child. One feature shared experience through CompUSA An entrance into Brookfield Square mall. White said she remembers the likes of the just-opened Contempo Casuals were the small bridges inside Movie Tavern and Whirly- County Seat that gave shoppers an oppor- Ball. And on most days, May- Deb tunity to have a glimpse at the fair Mall still has a packed Fashion Bug fish swimming. parking lot. Gadzooks “I miss the arcade inside — So many aspects of our cul- Gimbels so many memories playing ture seem to go full circle, video games while my mom including the many fashion Harvest House Cafeteria shopped for nursing uni- fads that are best displayed in K-B Toys forms,” White said. mall-based clothiers. Kinney Shoes Waukesha resident Gerri When malls were all the Lechters Housewares Linski said she feels some of rage in the 1980s, their popu- The Limited what made malls special from larity came at the expense of Marshall Field’s this time period has been lost historic downtowns, where Merry-Go-Round on society today. many communities grappled Musicland “I always thought shopping with an uncomfortable num- Sam Goody malls prompted family ber of vacancies. This trend Structure togetherness. I see that part also is depicted in the current Tape World of our past almost disappear- season of “Stranger Things.” Thom McAn ing,” Linski said. “So many of Who knows? Maybe — just Waldenbooks my family and friends don’t maybe — malls again will be Wick ‘N’ Sticks go out to shop anymore the place to shop and social- because they do online shop- Woolworth ize in a few decades if people Wisconsin Scale Boating allowed people to People relax surrounded by plants in Brook- ping.” tire of this whole online shop- I did not appreciate it as a ping thing. play with boats at Brookfield Square mall. field Square mall in this undated photo.