One of one of the benefits of beinging of a "certain" age is that I can look back through decades, yes decades, of photos and see all the former fashion trends that I have followed and lived through.
In the 70's, I was just a kid and I discovered fashion through the art of the Sears catalog. I loved the maxi skirts and peasant blouses (which are back in style by the way). I wore my hair in braids and tried to look groovy, even as a kid. In the 80's I was all about big hair, big shoulder pads and leggings. Notice that while leggings are back in style, big shoulder pads are apparently, still waiting for their comeback.
In reviewing the photos, for the most part, I embraced several fashion trends. No, I did not wear socks with pumps, or lacy tops a la Madonna, but I did have a couple of missteps. My biggest fashion mistake was wearing my padded shoulder leather jacket with my leather skirt. Yep, I wore them together. Here is the photo from the late 80's as proof. The big shoulder pads are hidden a bit by my big hair.
It is fun to look back at my photos and wonder what was I thinking or in some cases, why the heck didn't I save that? Actually, I did save both of these pieces and gave them to my grown daughter who will assuredly, will not wear them together.
In all honestly, I would not change a thing. Part of the joy of life is being able to explore new fashion trends and at this point in my life, I can embrace my fashion past. This year I am all about color blocking (which was big in the 60's, by the way).
This post is part of a blog hop for Generation Fabulous, a wonderful group of women that I have met through blogging. We are all sharing our fashion mistakes here. I will be posting about how I organize my present fashions in an upcoming post, so be sure to follow along. What was your biggest fashion mistake?
Bonnie
Oh my goodness - SHOULDER PADS! I forgot about those!
I also remember browsing through the Sear's catalog for the hip new trends, cuffed plaid bell-bottoms, etc! (Still have 'em, by the way!)
If anyone's going to a 70's or 80's retro party...I can outfit them!
Organizedisland
Love that you still have bell bottoms. I am going to contact you for my next 80's party outfit 🙂
Sharon Greenthal (@sharongreenthal)
I always had a leather mini in the go-go 80's. You rocked it!
Organizedisland
You are too sweet - thank you!
Chloe Jeffreys
That is a whole lotta leather going on, but still you look beautiful. Great hair!
I remember things being much more matchy-matchy (hate that term, btw) back then. Purses should match the shoes, black or brown, but never black and brown together, rules like that.
Your daughter lucked out. Someday those shoulder pads will make their reappearance and she'll be set to go!
Organizedisland
Thank you Chloe - that was a lot of leather! LOL, we will see if those pads come back in. Thanks for stopping by!
Lois Alter Mark
I was a big-time shoulder pad girl back in the '80's, too! This brought back a lot of memories -- for better or worse!
Organizedisland
I look at then now and think - really? Yes, the memories are fun.
Roxana
Oh the memories! Thanks for the reminders..I think. lol Some of those fashions I would rather not have remembered. haha Thanks for following the 411! I'm adding you to my blog list. 🙂
Roxana @ fourelevenrox
Organizedisland
Thanks Roxana! 🙂
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life
Oh how funny! I definitely have looked back at old pictures and wondered what I was thinking wearing certain things! There are certain fashion trends that should never ever come back. LOL!
Organizedisland
Thanks Jocelyn! I love seeing things come back in style, wish I knew what to save 🙂
Juile Danis
I thought shoulder pads were the best, helped balance my hips. Too bad they made me look like a short linebacker too!
Organizedisland
Thanks for stopping by Julie! Yes, all my suits had them, I wonder if they will ever come back?
Suzan
I used to love to wear my acid washed jeans and jacket...at the same time.
The horror 😮
Then of course the 90's came along and I was babydoll dresses and combat boots which did nothing for my figure. It's a wonder I was able to snag a husband!
Organizedisland
LOL, your comment made me laugh with the babydoll dress and boots! Oh and acid washed! Had those too!
Connie Mcleod
Wow, Shoulder pads AND leather on leather. You were groove, bad to the bone, rad—not sure the decade correct phrase!
Organizedisland
LOL Thanks for stopping by Connie! I remember bad to the bone 🙂
misssrobin
But, truthfully, it was nearly impossible to find anything in the 80s without shoulder pads. I hated them and would do everything I could to remove them from my clothes (my mother insisted on buying things with shoulder pads for me -- usually in some form of aqua color). I loved long sweaters over leggings! That was my thing. Fashionably, I think I could get away with that now. If I were fourteen. Leggings just don't work on an overweight 43-year old woman.
I love looking back and mocking myself. I agree. Fashion is about exploration and discovery. Part of being a girl is playing with clothes. We ought to have fun with it.
Stopping by from SITS.
Organizedisland
Yes you are correct and I do have fun with it! It is a wonderful part of being a girl/woman. Thanks for stopping by!
Helene Bludman
I was going through my closet recently and found what I think is my last existing garment with shoulder pads. I put it on just for kicks, and it took me right back to the 80s. I threw it in the bag for Goodwill because I'm pretty sure shoulder pads like that will never come back!
Organizedisland
LOL I am going to have to agree with you on that, along with dainty socks and pumps! Thanks for stopping by!
thedoseofreality
I am crying with laughter at the awesomeness of that picture...you look like Jennifer Beals from Flashdance. Would it help you at all to know I once owned a purple suede skirt. Oh, it was every bit as bad as you are picturing! 😉
Organizedisland
Thanks Ashhley, it actually does make me feel better knowing you had a purple suede skirt. I had forgotten until you mentioned it but people used to tell me I looked like Jennifer Beals. Thanks for stopping by!
Joy Weese Moll
That's a lotta leather! You somehow manage to look sweet, anyway!
I'm also into color blocking. I wonder if I'm going to look back on current pictures and say, why did I think those two things went together!
Organizedisland
Thank you for your nice comment. Yes, we will have to see how it goes....I am trying not to overdo it on the blocking!
Donna Highfill
I LOVED peasant blouses and maxi skirts . . . felt just like Lucy when she was stomping grapes. I felt sexy. And I had a parachute jumpsuit that looked just like your coat. Thank you for a fun blog!
Organizedisland
Thank you for stopping by Donna! Ah yes, Lucy did rock that peasant blouse.
BigLittleWolf
Big shoulder pads. Big hair. Leather! It all seems like SO MUCH now, but then? We felt great in it, didn't we?
I think you look adorable!
Funny that now we don't have the big hair or the big shoulder pads, but the monster shoes? They're bigger than big and what's THAT all about?
Organizedisland
Thank you for your comment. Yes, I loved the leather. Oh no kidding - I do not get those huge shoes. Too funny!
Karen Austin
As others have said, that is a lot of leather, but it was working for you. I can picture you as a member of "The Wedding Singer" cast. You did embrace the era. I wonder what we'll say about the styles of the 21st century in a decade or two or three from now? I can't even think what our fashion excesses might be right now? I guess it's hard to see the water you swim in.
Organizedisland
LOL, I love the Wedding Singer! That is a good way to put it Karen...hard to see when you are in the middle of it, although I just do not get all the neon that is out right now! Thanks for stopping by!
Jamie
I need to showcase a photo of when i was in middle school with my bangs and braces.. cracke me up every time I see it.. wonder if I have that with me.. hmm 😉
Organizedisland
I bet you looked adorable in bangs Jamie! 🙂
Blond Duck
Since I was a teenager in the 90s, I think mine was flared jeans and glittery belly tops. WAY too much glitter and skin!
Organizedisland
Ah the belly tops! I can't even imagine wearing one of those.
Renee
Forgot about the maxi skirts..Thanks for the memory
Organizedisland
Thanks for stopping by Renee!
Sonia Barton
Oh me oh my...From your time line it sounds like we are around the same age. I don't care to count backwards either. Decades is a good enough adjective for me hahahaha...And you weren't the only one to were leather on leather 😉
Organizedisland
Thank you Sonia! That makes me feel better! 🙂
debbiedoos
Oh boy, I would hate to look back, in fact, I have and I cringe! Happy New year girl.
Organizedisland
Thank you Debbie! Happy New Year to you too!
Carpool Goddess
Leather and shoulder pads. I think we shopped at the same places 😉
Organizedisland
LOL, there were some fun shops back then. Thanks for stopping by!
JDaniel4's Mom
I look at my pictures and have to remember that is how we dressed back then. I have some interesting outfits on in my photos.
Organizedisland
Isn't it funny how fashion changes! Hope your week is going well!
Marci Rich
I love that you discovered fashion through "the art of the Sears catalog!" I think my earliest introduction to fashion, aside from sourcing outfits for my Barbie doll, was playing with paper dolls. This is such a great post. I'm with you on the shoulder pads, too. Never want to see 'em again. But if they do make a comeback, it won't be on me.
Organizedisland
You and me both Marcie! Thank you for your kind words!
Big Sis Pretty Sis
I love this post. I grew up in the 80s and Jem and the Holligrams were my idols so you can only imagine the pictures. My biggest fashion mistake is trying to follow trends, I usually do them wrong and I'm always extremely uncomfortable. Now I just try to be girly, cute and comfortable. If my dress doesn't blow up in the wind all the better.