Fourth grade, 1976: I was the proud wearer of a pair of white overalls with little red-and-blue flags and 1976s all over them. I also had a white bike with a red, white, and blue striped banana seat.
I had a couple of favorites from 1975. First was a pair of red, white, and blue plaid slacks, a navy dress shirt with puffy sleeves, white sleeveless sweater and white and blue platform saddle shoes. The other was a pair of maroon big bell bottom pants with cuffs, a white belt, a white and maroon shirt with puffy sleeves, and a pair of flat nose boots with straps.
By 1980 I had graduated to a bright green doubleknit leisure suit with a bright yellow shirt. I think I no why I was single for so long.
My favorite dress ever: In junior high (the early '70s), I had a mini dress my mom made me – scooped neck, with princess seams and those flippy little sleeves. It was made of that slinky single knit so ubiquitous in the '70s. Midnight blue with small white polka dots. Really a very pretty dress and very flattering on me. I always felt absolutely gorgeous in it. I wish I owned something today that made me feel as consistantly pretty as that polka dot dress did when I was 13.
Oooh, you guys also made me remember my favorite churchin’ clothes: late '70s, early 80s – a Gunnysack brand dress (remember those?) with shoes that were a kinda hybrid between clogs and high heels.
1975ish (1st grade)
Purple bellbottom pants, yellow turtleneck, purple cardigan with Winnie-the-Pooh patches on the pockets, clogs, with pigtails tied with the ponytail holders that were like double loops held together with huge pink beads (this outfit brought to you by the letter “P”)
1980ish (6th grade)
Pink Izod shirt with a white collar (turned up), white OshKosh overalls, white sneakers (I think Tretorn, but maybe Keds?) with pink trim, worn with the shoelaces untied and adorned with friendship pins, hair barrettes painted with little hearts.
1986ish (junior year)
Narrow faded denim skirt with big poufy eyelet lace ruffle on the bottom, T-shirt featuring The Cure, jean jacket with the sleeves rolled up, fingerless black gloves, boots with fringe and beads hanging off them, and teased up hair worn with a black hairband with a big poufy bow on it, too much eye make-up.
Early 90s - tight, long denim skirt with a long slit up the back so I could walk, the slit was decorated with several denim bows. Completing the ensemble: a white, blousy pirate shirt and bright red pumps. And big hair!
Mid 80s - skin-tight, acid-washed jeans with zippers on the ankles and a fushia long jacket (with shoulder pads!!!) And big, BIG hair!
1968: A royal blue, crushed velvet dress with white lace around the cuffs and neck (think Paul Revere and the Raiders). White fishnet tights and blue patent leather buckle shoes.
1988: A black leather biker jacket, skin-tight black jeans and a black Harley tank top. Black ankle boots with studs and straps that cross over the top of the foot. Spiked heels and pointy toes. This was one bitchin’ outfit! Oh. And a bad perm.
1986: Neon tye-dyed tank top that had the Muchmusic (Canada’s equivalent of MTV) logo on the front in multicoloured neon puffy print. Matching shorts with same logo on the butt.
1990: Green Hypercolour T-shirt with very tapered blue jeans.
Around the same time I also had a pair of purple parachute pants (think M.C. Hammer) with skateboarding lizards printed all over them. I was so awesome.
Yeah – I almost liked the term enough to actually buy and wear a pair of MC Hammer pants just so I could say I had a pair. I didn’t go that far, though!
Fall 1982 - 7th Grade: Jordache Jeans, a purple polo shirt with the collar up, multicolored striped legwarmers, lavender Nikes
Spring 1984 - 8th Grade: tight black calf-length skirt, long pink satin shirt, white studded belt, white fingerless lace gloves, white lace headband w/ bow, white jazz shoes
Spring 1985 - 9th Grade: tight denim miniskirt, florescent pink and white striped blouse w/ the front tails tied, white tank top, florescent pink jelly shoes w/ florescent yellow socks
All of 1985: denim jacket w/ about 10 - 12 pins on them (The Jam, The Cure, Thompson Twins, Sex Pistols, Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, etc.)
The 80s was such a fun decade in which to be a teen and I miss it terribly. I don’t know how I would have dressed if I were 35 back then, but I would imagine I’d have to dress like Angela Bower* or Linda Evans. Ick. Shoulder pads, big bangs and big glasses galore!
[sub]*Oh, don’t pretend you don’t know who I’m talking about![/sub]
