# Dumbest fashion trend you've bought into. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 17, 2007, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbest-fashion-trend-youve-bought-into/415915 "2007-08-17T10:28:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2007, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbest-fashion-trend-youve-bought-into/415915/41 "2007-08-17T16:47:39Z")
Giant squared-off eyeglasses. Looking back at high school pics, I appear to be wearing permanent eye protection for some vocational activity or other. ---
**Author:** ![Hockey\_Monkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a183cd/32.png) [@Hockey\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hockey_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2007, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbest-fashion-trend-youve-bought-into/415915/42 "2007-08-17T16:49:16Z")
[From here:](http://www.fortunecity.com/meltingpot/regent/827/lists.html) Neon - check The “Don Johnson” look Guys wearing pastel colors Puff painted clothes - check Women in men’s attire - check Turned up collars - check Sweaters around the neck cuffed together in front - check Oversize shirts/sweaters - check (Bigshirts) Izod Ocean Pacific Sweater vests - check Jackets with numerous zippers Leg warmers - check Lee jeans Calvin Kleins Jordache jeans - check Guess? jeans Jams - check Vision Street Wear Short jeans with tight cuffs and zippers at the bottom of the legs Jeans worn with dressy shoes - check - acid washed and tapered leg Kaepas Jellies - check High tops - check Slouch socks - check Keds - check Tennis shoes without laces Feathered hair - check Crimped hair Spiked hair Mousse - check (and lots of it) Banana clips - check Colored mascara - check Big earrings - check Swatches - check - even had the finger Swatches Skinny ties Twist-a-Beads - check (this is what I came in here to post about) Parachute Pants - parents never let me get them, but oh how I coveted them and their swish, swish, swish noise Rattails - God no! I’m going to have to add Member’s Only jackets to that list, along with fat laces (like 3/4 of an inch wide in neon colors) for tennis shoes, and the roach clips with feathers that we would clip on our cowboy hats. I have to stop now, I’m getting all nostalgic. ---
**Author:** ![Nutty\_Bunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d07c76/32.png) [@Nutty\_Bunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nutty_Bunny)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2007, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbest-fashion-trend-youve-bought-into/415915/43 "2007-08-17T16:51:59Z")
Jelly shoes (hot pink) Leg warmers (rainbow) Hammer pants (I was 20 and should have known better by then!) Florescent anything (neon pink shirt, with neon yellow scarf and neon yellow fingerless gloves…that reminds me…) Fingerless gloves (lace…that reminds me…) Dressing like Madonna circa 1984 (though still a virgin, of course) Au Coton - (basically an excuse to wear pajamas everywhere) Rat tail braid (1985 Aimee Mann) Hair dyed blonde on top and natural brown on bottom (with blonde rat tail braid) Satin jacket (pink and light blue - I was only 11, okay?) Acid wash jeans (grey in front and acid wash in back) Swatches (I had to wear 2 at all times) [QUOTE=yellowval] I had it all: poofy bangs, rolled jeans, banana clips, slouchy socks, Converse All-Stars (pink), biker shorts … you name it. I blame my sister. [/QUOTE] Same here, except my Converse were bright yellow. I have no one to blame but myself. [QUOTE=mhairi2222] One mistake I’m probably guilty of right now is leggings under a mini-skirt. [/QUOTE] Add that to my list above, but 20 years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2007, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbest-fashion-trend-youve-bought-into/415915/44 "2007-08-17T16:57:12Z")
[QUOTE=Hockey Monkey] Twist-a-Beads - check (this is what I came in here to post about) [/QUOTE] I was going to mention those…I assume you mean those long strands of beads that you would twist together until they were choker-sized? You needed a clip to hold them together in the back, and you would use contrasting colors of beads that matched your outfit. I wouldn’t call that exactly a “dumb” trend, but it sure was oddly old-ladyish for a bunch of junior high and HS kids. That overly dressed-up thing was kind of weird in those days. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Chao\_Goes\_Mu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_chao_goes_mu/32/3191_2.png) [@The\_Chao\_Goes\_Mu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Chao_Goes_Mu)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2007, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbest-fashion-trend-youve-bought-into/415915/45 "2007-08-17T17:11:59Z")
I see your Members Only jacket and raise you one Hypercolor T-shirt (weren’t we clever girls when we’d place our own hands on our boobs to make it look as though we’ve been groped? :smack: ) and a pair of Skidz\*. \*Funny story about Skidz. About 10 years after they had gone out of style and were launched from closets everywhere I found a pair in a lost and found bin and scarfed them up. I used them to clean the house or to lounge around in when I was feeling lazy. They were so delightfully comfy!! One day, while making an impromtu trip to visit a friend in the hospital, I stopped at a carryout to get her some of her coveted chocolate milk. The cashier, a strapping young man about three or four years older than me looks at me, looks at my pants, looks at me, then looks at his coworker, then back at me and loudly inquires “Dude? Are you seriously wearing Skidz?” I just urked, ummed and smiled as I slithered out of there as fast as I could. ---
**Author:** ![Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2007, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbest-fashion-trend-youve-bought-into/415915/46 "2007-08-17T17:18:50Z")
Shoulder Pads! ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2007, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbest-fashion-trend-youve-bought-into/415915/47 "2007-08-17T17:20:14Z")
[QUOTE=Cervaise] Giant squared-off eyeglasses. Looking back at high school pics, I appear to be wearing permanent eye protection for some vocational activity or other. [/QUOTE] My ex had the giant glasses too. I’d forgotten how big they were until I ran across some old photos of her recently, while cleaning out the basement. Wow! ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2007, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbest-fashion-trend-youve-bought-into/415915/48 "2007-08-17T17:26:56Z")
In my High School yearbook picture (1985) I’m sporting the slickest 1-inch wide red leather tie you ever saw. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2007, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbest-fashion-trend-youve-bought-into/415915/49 "2007-08-17T17:31:06Z")
None of them. Seriously. I went to junior high and high school in the late 90’s, so really, the only fads that were around was a bit of goth (nope,) that Nu-Metal thing with very baggy pants, chains, etc… (nope,) and…ummm…was that it? For guys, that really was about it. It was too late for the grunge look, and too early for the faux-preppy look that’s popular now (you know, ‘popped’ collar on the polo shirt, khakis, etc…) I was born a t-shirt and jeans guy, and I’ll die a t-shirt and jeans guy. Thankfully, for the past 60 years or so, there’s never been a time when that hasn’t been acceptable. (I do admit, though, that when I was younger in the 80’s and early 90’s I wore neon shirts, had some high tops, and a white kid 'flat top" haircut, but at that point, all my fashion was dictated by my mother, not me, so I take no credit for that. I never fell into the mushroom cut that so many of my cousins and friends did, though.) ---
**Author:** ![saoirse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@saoirse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saoirse)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2007, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbest-fashion-trend-youve-bought-into/415915/50 "2007-08-17T17:42:31Z")
[QUOTE=Southern Yankee] In my High School yearbook picture (1985) I’m sporting the slickest 1-inch wide red leather tie you ever saw. :smack: [/QUOTE] I’ll see your tie and raise you a pair of leather pants. ---
**Author:** ![Omega\_Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7c8e57/32.png) [@Omega\_Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omega_Glory)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2007, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbest-fashion-trend-youve-bought-into/415915/51 "2007-08-17T17:45:24Z")
[QUOTE=Dorjän] I bring you… The [high top fade](http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/scotdor/Dorjanshightopfade.jpg) . Yes that’s me, stylin’ in '93. [/QUOTE] Well at least you didn’t have one with the cleft cut into the side that was supposed to be like a part. About the only thing I can think of are reebok pumps. You pump up the tongue of the shoe with air, then, well that’s really about it. Oh, I had a Starter jacket when those were in too. ---
**Author:** ![meow\_meow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@meow\_meow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/meow_meow)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2007, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbest-fashion-trend-youve-bought-into/415915/52 "2007-08-17T17:59:13Z")
Does anyone remember “Units?” Description: Solid color, modular, one size fits all knit clothing that could be mixed and matched, usually warn with HUGE shoulder pads. It was sold at UNITS retail stores in local malls. (In NJ, anyway!) It’s a tube top! No, it’s a skirt! Wait, it’s a belt! I bought into this pretty heavily for about 2 months in the 80’s. ---
**Author:** ![saoirse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@saoirse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saoirse)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2007, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbest-fashion-trend-youve-bought-into/415915/53 "2007-08-17T18:17:15Z")
[QUOTE=meow meow] Does anyone remember “Units?” Description: Solid color, modular, one size fits all knit clothing that could be mixed and matched, usually warn with HUGE shoulder pads. It was sold at UNITS retail stores in local malls. (In NJ, anyway!) It’s a tube top! No, it’s a skirt! Wait, it’s a belt! I bought into this pretty heavily for about 2 months in the 80’s. [/QUOTE] Were those the ones that were made from truffula trees? ---
**Author:** ![meow\_meow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@meow\_meow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/meow_meow)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2007, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbest-fashion-trend-youve-bought-into/415915/54 "2007-08-17T18:24:38Z")
[QUOTE=saoirse] Were those the ones that were made from truffula trees? [/QUOTE] No wonder I liked those things… “A Thneed’s a Fine-Something-That-All-People-Need. It’s a shirt. It’s a sock. It’s a glove. It’s a hat. But it has other uses. Yes, far beyond that. You can use it for carpets. For pillows! For sheets! Or curtain! Or covers for bicycle seats.” ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2007, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbest-fashion-trend-youve-bought-into/415915/55 "2007-08-17T19:09:18Z")
Tiny braided headbands, and hairclips with long dangling feathers. I had some jeans that were so tight at the ankle I had to cut them to get my little feet through. I also had dark brown hair with bleached-to-hell bangs. Twist-a-Beads! I had forgotten those. The eighties were so fun. [QUOTE=meow meow] Does anyone remember “Units?” Description: Solid color, modular, one size fits all knit clothing that could be mixed and matched, usually warn with HUGE shoulder pads. It was sold at UNITS retail stores in local malls. (In NJ, anyway!) It’s a tube top! No, it’s a skirt! Wait, it’s a belt! I bought into this pretty heavily for about 2 months in the 80’s. [/QUOTE] [Valley Girl] Like, oh my God! [/VG] I had those. My grandma really liked the concept of buying five pieces of clothing which could be mixed and matched into a whole wardrobe, so yeah, I had a top, some pants, a stretchy skirt/belt/top thing, etc. I thought I was the only one! ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2007, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbest-fashion-trend-youve-bought-into/415915/56 "2007-08-17T19:20:23Z")
I came in here to mention my horrible Ugg boot problem, but with all of these 80s contributions I just can’t hang. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Chao\_Goes\_Mu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_chao_goes_mu/32/3191_2.png) [@The\_Chao\_Goes\_Mu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Chao_Goes_Mu)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2007, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbest-fashion-trend-youve-bought-into/415915/57 "2007-08-17T19:27:50Z")
Did I mention another piece of late 80’s early 90’s fashion for the alternative dresser? The full length black wool coat. A trench coat would suffice but it took a certain sort of resilience to wear a wool coat all day in school, ignoring the beads of sweat rolling down your back. Clearly this was in the halcyon days before kids were bringing weapons to shool. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2007, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbest-fashion-trend-youve-bought-into/415915/58 "2007-08-17T19:41:22Z")
Oooh, how about those wide elastic belts with the gigantic buckles. Wore that. Never wore Candies-- you know, knock-me-down-and-fuck-me shoes-- that plastic heel was too tacky even for me. I wore Izod and liked it. Lee jeans and Pumas. You know, I’d still wear Lees, Pumas and Izods if I could find them. ---
**Author:** ![Nutty\_Bunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d07c76/32.png) [@Nutty\_Bunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nutty_Bunny)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2007, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbest-fashion-trend-youve-bought-into/415915/59 "2007-08-17T19:52:24Z")
> [@Southern Yankee](#): > > In my High School yearbook picture (1985) I’m sporting the slickest 1-inch wide red leather tie you ever saw. [QUOTE=saoirse] I’ll see your tie and raise you a pair of leather pants. [/QUOTE] And I’ll see your leather pants and raise you a pair of _pleather_ pants. I kid you not. So, yeah, I was wearing plastic pants in 1985. Wasn’t everybody? ---
**Author:** ![Nutty\_Bunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d07c76/32.png) [@Nutty\_Bunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nutty_Bunny)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2007, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbest-fashion-trend-youve-bought-into/415915/60 "2007-08-17T19:56:41Z")
[QUOTE=DiosaBellissima] I came in here to mention my horrible Ugg boot problem, but with all of these 80s contributions I just can’t hang. [/QUOTE] Well, only if you were wearing them in warm weather. ::checks **Diosa** ’s location:: Okay, you can hang. 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbest-fashion-trend-youve-bought-into/415915.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbest-fashion-trend-youve-bought-into/415915.md?page=4)