# High school in the late 80's **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 16, 2000, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-school-in-the-late-80s/15049 "2000-03-16T13:39:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kellibelli](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e480ec/32.png) [@kellibelli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kellibelli)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2000, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-school-in-the-late-80s/15049/1 "2000-03-16T13:39:00Z")
I was in high school from 84-87… I remember those t shirts with one big neon word. Deck shoes and no socks. rubber bracelets layered clothes leg warmers ( ok that was JR high) Duran Duran freaky hair Anyone got some more? ---
**Author:** ![Rollin\_a\_Bone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/49beb7/32.png) [@Rollin\_a\_Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rollin_a_Bone)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2000, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-school-in-the-late-80s/15049/2 "2000-03-16T13:41:00Z")
I had a mohawk about 2 feet high back then, and I loved my topsiders ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2000, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-school-in-the-late-80s/15049/3 "2000-03-16T13:44:00Z")
Kelli, it looks like I’m stalking you. I’m not, really. But you’re in for a treat, as I am a bit of an 80’s fan myself. Early 80’s Song of the Week: [http://www.postalnauts.com/newwave/songs.html](http://www.postalnauts.com/newwave/songs.html) Livin’ in the 80’s: [http://www.hardtech.com/80s/](http://www.hardtech.com/80s/) New Wave Complex: [http://www.path.unimelb.edu.au/~new\_wave/complex/intro.html](http://www.path.unimelb.edu.au/~new_wave/complex/intro.html) All sorts of 80’s links: [http://www.postalnauts.com/newwave/links.html](http://www.postalnauts.com/newwave/links.html) Like, you’re welcome, OK? * * * **Coldfire** _Voted **Poster Most Likely To Post Drunk** _ * * * _ **"You know how complex women are"** _ - Neil Peart, **Rush** (1993) ---
**Author:** ![phouka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c5a1d2/32.png) [@phouka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phouka)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2000, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-school-in-the-late-80s/15049/4 "2000-03-16T13:54:00Z")
'84-'89. Kelli, I think we’re probably about the same age. [ul][li]Coke shirts[/li][li]Banana Republic t-shirts[/li][li]Jellies (that was pretty junior high)[/li][li]Miami Vice[/li][li]Ferris Bueller’s Day Off[/li][li]Tears for Fears[/li][li]Bill the Cat[/li][li]Spandex was brand new[/li][li]Jolly Ranchers[/li][li]Keds[/li][li]Those leather sneakers with two sets of laces each (started with a K?)[/li][li]Converse canvas high tops[/li][li]Taco Cabana[/li][li]Madras shorts[/li][li]Corona t-shirts[/li][li]Guys with one lock of their hair bleached[/li][li]Guys with a loose, ponytailed, or braided tail of hair at the back of their heads[/li][li]Guy haircut where the sideburns and the area above the ears were shaved smooth.[/li][li]Units clothing[/li][li]Jolt Cola[/ul][/li] I could probably keep coming up with stuff, but I’m having an intense attack of nostalgia right now. ---
**Author:** ![kellibelli](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e480ec/32.png) [@kellibelli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kellibelli)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2000, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-school-in-the-late-80s/15049/5 "2000-03-16T14:08:00Z")
These are great…how about the ‘Church Lady’ from SNL “SaaaaaTan maybe…HMMMMM?” Confess…who else had a ‘tail’? ---
**Author:** ![WIGGUM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ce7236/32.png) [@WIGGUM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WIGGUM)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2000, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-school-in-the-late-80s/15049/6 "2000-03-16T14:20:00Z")
JAMS, OP, Parachute Pants, Skidz,Bon Jovi, Beastie Boys (License to Ill),walkman, and my favorite, Swatch watches\* and apparel. \*note: wearing only one Swatch Watch was not good enough. There had to be enough to cover one arm completely. ---
**Author:** ![Angkins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/fbc32d/32.png) [@Angkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angkins)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2000, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-school-in-the-late-80s/15049/7 "2000-03-16T14:23:00Z")
OK, confession I had a tail but it was in junior high…I am younger than you Kel! I remember: poofy bangs crimping my hair skin tight jeans Far West jackets AHH…the good ol’ days! * * * Any connection between your reality and mine is purely coincidental. ---
**Author:** ![Treycal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Treycal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treycal)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2000, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-school-in-the-late-80s/15049/8 "2000-03-16T16:19:00Z")
I have to admit mine was a much more “preppy” high school, but this is what I remember: Guys - Ralph Lauren Polo Oxford dress shirts, untucked with white t-shirt underneath - Levi 501 Shrink-To-Fit jeans, pinch pleated a rolled up a few times (I’m from Calgary - we had to travel to the states to get these) - Sperry topsider shoes or K-swiss classics - flat-top haircuts done by Jim the Barber across from the school (would you like light, medium or heavy shadow) Girls - same Levi’s or stirrup pants - white Ked’s running shoes - teased bangs and a ponytail - Calvin Klein Obsession - and my personal favourite - Silver City Pink lipstick - yeah you know the one - that lovely frosty pink colour Other Stuff - The Smiths, New Order, and REM - Canada Cooler Dry Wine Coolers (God they were awful) ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2000, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-school-in-the-late-80s/15049/9 "2000-03-16T16:21:00Z")
Hey Kelli, I went to high school '84 to '87, too. Whoohooo, go class of 1987! I remember: skinny ties short hair on girls (yup, me) The Stray Cats Preppies Converse shoes (Hey, I still have a pair!) ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Naked](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Buck\_Naked](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Naked)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2000, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-school-in-the-late-80s/15049/10 "2000-03-16T16:37:00Z")
‘87 rocks…yes!!! Being at a more urban high school I remember -Break Dancin’ -LL Cool J was truly “BAD” -Michael Jackson was cool. -Jerry Curls -Every white kid wanted to be able to Moon Walk -Capezio’s -Members Only jackets -Mandatory Bussing -Rat Tail combs -Seagrams Golden Wine Coolers (Bruce Willis singing the jingle) -Moonlighting (speaking of Bruce Willis) I’m out… Izods * * * I feel more like I do now than I did when I got here. ---
**Author:** ![Joe\_Cool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecb155/32.png) [@Joe\_Cool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joe_Cool)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2000, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-school-in-the-late-80s/15049/11 "2000-03-16T16:37:00Z")
Wow, this is too cool. I graduated in Albuquerque in 1988 (live in Jersey now). Here are my fond memories: My 2 best friends had mohawks that made up 26 inches together… Parachute pants, and refrigerator boxes on the basketball courts for breakdancing… Vans shoes before they had a media blitz… Late 60’s & early 70’s primer gray hot rods… People camping outside TicketMaster for the Van Halen 1984 tour and having it sell out in three hours… Freaks & Goths before they were sub-classed into Freaks & Goths (back when they were just Nu-Wavers)… Punk rock before it was “Retro”… And what I miss the most: Rocker chicks. Zip-around jeans. Lace-up jeans. T-shirts cut into halfshirts with fringe & knots at the bottom. Leather jackets. Feathered rocker chick hair. Ratt videos. Yummmmm… What happened to all of you? Any rocker chicks want to come over & reminisce? 😉 ## God I miss the 80s. ## Oh, what’s that? So now you say life sucks? Well 99% of it’s what you make of it… So if your life sucks, YOU suck! Joe\_Cool ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Naked](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Buck\_Naked](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Naked)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2000, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-school-in-the-late-80s/15049/12 "2000-03-16T16:38:00Z")
oh yeah and acid wash * * * I feel more like I do now than I did when I got here. ---
**Author:** ![Atrael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Atrael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atrael)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2000, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-school-in-the-late-80s/15049/13 "2000-03-16T16:42:00Z")
Anyone else have those “Dick” t-shirts? You know… See Dick Drink See Dick Drive See Dick Die then on the back “Don’t be a Dick” ---
**Author:** ![kknick34](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a698b9/32.png) [@kknick34](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kknick34)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2000, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-school-in-the-late-80s/15049/14 "2000-03-16T17:22:00Z")
MTV actually showed music videos ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2000, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-school-in-the-late-80s/15049/15 "2000-03-16T17:31:00Z")
[ul][li]John Hughes movies. (Pretty in Pink, 16 Candles, Breakfast Club, ets., etc.)[/li][li]Paisley. Lots of paisley.[/li][li]Jangle-y guitars. (That R.E.M. sound.)[/li][li]Granny shoes.[/li][li]Hanging out at the used record stores.[/li]Short sleeves, rolled up.[/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Globe-trotter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cab0a1/32.png) [@Globe-trotter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Globe-trotter)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2000, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-school-in-the-late-80s/15049/16 "2000-03-16T17:31:00Z")
Anybody remember the “Frankie says…” t-shirts? Frankie says choose life, etc. My fave: “Who gives a fuck what Frankie says?” * * * “I thought: opera, how hard can it be? Songs. Pretty girls dancing. Nice scenery. Lots of people handing over cash. Got to be better than the cut-throat world of yoghurt, I thought.” - Seldom Bucket ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2000, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-school-in-the-late-80s/15049/17 "2000-03-16T17:32:00Z")
The clothing that comes to mind when I think of the 80s seems to be the things I hated most. (I was in HS from 1985-1988) Jelly Shoes Wearing ankle socks with pumps Parachute Pants Tails in guys’ hair Hard Rock T-shirts (I probably hated these because my parents never took me anywhere where I could buy one - envy) Things I remember with fondness: Fedoras (I was a Durannie and I looked great in a fedora. No, really, I did, I swear!) Highwaters Jelly bracelets Swatches (I only had one, so I was not that cool) Pins pins pins Then came 1986 and I dumped the whole 80s thing and went punk (it was more grunge than punk, but we didn’t have a word for it yet. I take that back - we called it skank). Shaved the right side of my head and started shoppin’ at Salvation Army. This was during an explosively divisive time in my high school. The jocks hated the skanks and the skanks hated the fluffs and my friends and I pretty much hated everyone. Before that it was mellower. Don’t hate them anymore, but I have no desire to go back and see them. Does this post make me seem angry? I’m not anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Wicked\_Blue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/2acd7d/32.png) [@Wicked\_Blue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wicked_Blue)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2000, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-school-in-the-late-80s/15049/18 "2000-03-16T17:47:00Z")
I was a rocker chick in high school, but I went from 87 to 91. I had BIG blond hair and lots of black eyeliner, blood red lipstick and white face powder. I used to wear rock tee-shirts with an open flannel shirt over them, and my M.C. I remember everyone in school being horrified that Metallica lost their first Grammy nomination to Jethro Tull. Anthrax’s ‘I’m The Man’ was THE song of the day. (NOT!) 🙂 I remember some friends smoking Capri cigarettes because they were very slim, and looked like joints. I remember the girl who tried to kill herself…wasn’t there one in every school? I loved high school…too bad I didn’t appreciate it them. Rose * * * I told you not to be stupid, you moron. ---
**Author:** ![Dirty\_Devil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Dirty\_Devil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dirty_Devil)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2000, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-school-in-the-late-80s/15049/19 "2000-03-16T17:48:00Z")
## Class of '88 here. I remember wearing a plaid flannel shirt because it was _warm_ and _easy_, not because it was what Kurt Cobain and the rest of the Seattle crowd was wearing. I aslo remember when the girls wore tight Guess? jeans that actually tapered in at the bottom (unlike the ugly baggy, bell-bottom trend that’s going on now). God those looked good! And what ever happen to “California Coolers”? I got drunk for the first time drinking the green flavor from those two-liter plastic bottles. It went down much better than it came back up. She said: “I know you and you cannot sing.” I said: “That’s nothing - you should hear me play piano.” ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2000, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-school-in-the-late-80s/15049/20 "2000-03-16T17:58:00Z")
Why you bunch of young whippersnapers, I remember in my day… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-school-in-the-late-80s/15049.md?page=2)