Time Warp Fashion: Attack of the '80s

The 1980s were a time of Cold War, recession and, of course, poofy sleeves.

While pinned jeans, huge eyeglasses and shoulder pads remain in the fashion graveyard, other '80s styles are being resurrected.

"Flashdance"-inspired sweatshirts, sweaters and cotton tees worn off one shoulder over spaghetti straps or tank tops - they're all back in a big way.

"The off-the-shoulder is definitely in style," said freshman undecided major Briana Martinez. In clothing stores and online, the look varies. Some garments are slung far over the shoulder, while some are merely extended boat necks.

According to Marcy Coleman of Royalton-Hartland, while '80s fashions have heavily influenced this season's styles, most items have been updated for the new millennium. Much of the oversized clothing of the area has been scaled down a bit to meet the more revealing standards of today.

"There was nothing form-fitting," said Coleman.

Bright, loud colors, big horizontal stripes, and bold geometric patterns - design staples of the '80s - are popping up everywhere.

Brightly colored, chunky jewelry such as thick, plastic bangle bracelets and large dew drop earrings in solid, striped or checkered primary colors, are a great way to add a bit of '80s flair without going overboard. Cinching a dress or sweater with a lopsided belt or scarf is another subtle option.

Bright, fluorescent colors are big for shoes, too.

"Colored shoes were big in the '80s," said Sue Marfino, owner of ShoeFly, a shop offering an array of designer shoes on Elmwood Avenue in Buffalo.

On display at the Elmwood village boutique were leg warmer boots, an updated heeled moccasin, bright purple spiky high heels, and a funky pair of intense orange knee-length boots. She also has ultra flat shoes in stock, decorated with repeating patterns, which she said are clearly '80s inspired.

Shoefly is also selling large handbags with iron-on logos: another fad of the '80s, according to Marfino.

Eighties fashion influences have extended to hair, too. Some actresses, especially at awards shows, have reverted back to the big hair days, although not quite as drastically or as full of hairspray. While there has been no sign of the scrunchie, headbands are back on the market.

Leah Bloom, a junior communications major, even reported seeing an off-the-side ponytail, but said she hopes that is where it will stop.

"God, no! Not the poofy bangs; the many, many layers," Bloom said.

It's not just the pop styles that are resurfacing. The punk look of the 1980s music scene is alive and well at Hot Topic in the Niagara Boulevard Mall. Torn jeans, red-and-black plaid, safety pins and multi-colored spiked hair are currently being recycled by some.

Damsel in a Dress, a unique dress boutique also on Elmwood, carries straight black jeans that can be worn with boots. That style, as well as straight jackets and the gold or silver metallic purses she carries, are another spin-off from the '80s, according to owner Kym Mathis.

Many think that the trends of the '80s should stay there.

"It was an awful, awful era," Coleman said.

Joanna Raimonde, a senior psychology major said she is not a fan of the pants from the decade of excess.

The pants styles popular then were parachute pants, made of baggy parachute material, gauchos, which were also baggy and fell past the knee, Levi's jeans that tapered at the ankle, and brightly colored spandex.

"It reminds me of 'Saved by the Bell,'" Raimonde said. "They're so ugly."

While most said they are not eager to see matching sweat suits, bright pink makeup, high top sneakers, long blazers, the mullet, or Zubaz any time soon, they agree the jean jacket that rose from the era has become a classic.

"I like the whole jean jacket look," said Bloom. "Other than that, I would be happy if none of it came back."