Trendspotting: Retro 80's

LOVE: The Sunglasses

I admit the first time I saw someone wearing the flat-lensed, bright-colored 80's shades I rolled my eyes, but I have to admit now that some people can definitely work this look! The key is using the sunglasses as an accent point and not wearing anything else that's too overtly retro, so that they don't look cheesy (and you don't end up looking like an extra from Miami Vice). I even love the slitted shades that are peeping up now. I think they remind me of Hollywood from Mannequin and I can't help but grin. Sadly, I've only seen them for sale and haven't caught anyone wearing them yet, but I'm hopeful. If any city has people who'd wear them it would be here in San Francisco, land of the eternally fashion eclectic.


HATE: The Big Shoulders

Right off the bat, I need to clarify that I hate big shoulders, not puffy shoulders - there is a difference. On a recent trip to H&M, I grabbed a jean jacket with a mandarin collar that looked promising. It had a bit of puff in the shoulders which I thought would look cute. Instead, I looked like I had just stepped off the set of Dynasty! Now, I do realize that this is the look a lot of girls are actually going for (frightening as it is), but I gotta step in and ask 'Why this trend?'

I *loved* the 80's (and, yes, I'm actually old enough to remember it!) and I honestly adored a lot of the fashion - 'winged' shirts, bright colors, bold jewelery. It was fun. It still is, which is why I can appreciate the 80's comeback and how daring so many of these retro looks are. But, I think someone ought to pull a few people aside and remind them that some looks are better left in the past - like MC Hammer pants, tight-cuffed jeans, and, yes, huge-ass shoulders.

Why? For one, it ain't flattering. On a-n-y-o-n-e. Two, the whole look was born from women who were finally entering the office as business women, instead of secretaries. It was a look that emphasized power, telling the good ol' boys that these ladies were not sweet, petite girl-Fridays, but people to be reckoned with. Now, if that's what you're going for, more power to ya! But if you're donning the look blindly for nostalgia or merely the retro-factor, you might want to pass on this one and leave it to Angela Bower.