80s Fashion: Stayin’ Alive
Did ya hear? Everything old is new again – especially when we’re talking style. The current revival of 80s fashion is, in this stylista’s opinion, a refreshing blast from the past. Acid wash jeans, boyfriend jackets, big jewelry, and neon hues have found their way back into our stores and closets. But, here’s the scoop – not all fabulous 80s fashions flatter today’s curvy girls. So which styles should you rock this summer, and which fashions should stay in the 80’s? You might be surprised what we think…
One 80s-based fashion that has (unfortunately) been sneaking its way back into our lives is Harem pants. These huge pants don’t flatter any figure and can actually make you look heavier because of all the extra material. M.C.Hammer (who is a big-time fan of Harem pants) sings “you can’t touch this.” Sorry, M.C., the same goes for this style.
These one size-fits-all skirts and dresses definitely will not show off your figure! They are usually over-sized and shapeless to accommodate all sizes, and therefore don’t look good on anyone. Ditch this style in favor of something more fitted to your body which will show off your curves instead of hiding them.
Playing around with 80s fashion is a fun way to pump up your summer style. But as you experiment, remember these two tips:
*Try to mix an 80s piece with a more modern piece. By adding your own personal spin, you’ll keep yourself from looking like you just stumbled out of a time machine.
*Shoulder pads and huge hair? Let’s just leave ‘em in the 80s.
Happy stylin’!
By Chloe Nurik June 28
{fitsmi wants to welcome our new Style Intern, Chloe! Chloe is a high school student who hails from beautiful Roswell, GA, and she’s going to be keepin’ us ‘on trend’ with her fashion advice. Stop by her ‘me page’ to say hello!}
Fashions that flatter a curvy girl:
Over-sized tops (especially off the shoulder) with a belt.
This look has totally withstood the test of time, because nothing shows off a curvy figure better than creating a feminine silhouette with a cinched in waist. Sure, many of us occasionally feel insecure about our bodies, but don’t use that as an excuse to hide yourself under a big shapeless outfit. Instead, sport a loose, wide-necked, over-sized T-shirt with an adorable belt to create that coveted hour-glass figure. You can pair this look with jeans, leggings, shorts, or even a knee-length skirt! Now that’s a rockin’ look straight from the 80s!
Big, bold jewelry.
Surprise! This style is just as popular and trendy now as it was 30 years ago. Just look around. You’ll see that super-sizing your accessories can elevate an outfit from so-so to stunning. Madonna rocked this style in the 80s and now, you can too. Bring this look into the 21st century by pairing simple clothes with the boldest earring or biggest necklace you can find. Here’s a hint – pick either earrings OR a necklace OR bracelet and rings to wear to keep your outfit from going overboard.
Leggings, Leggings, Leggings!
You can take this look straight from fall to summer by pairing leggings with a cute summer dress. Experiment with different combinations (printed dress – solid leggings, solid dress-striped leggings, solid dress-solid leggings + a belt) to find the look that works best on you. We especially love this 80s-inspired fashion because you can wear it all year round! Psst, we’re crushing on Torrid’s wide selection of leggings!
Fashions that don’t flatter a curvy girl
Sadly, not all 80s fashions work on shapely gals. Some clothes might look alright on a size zero runway model, but put them on a curvy girl and they look, well, shapeless and frumpy. But never fear – we’ll teach you how to spot and avoid the 80s-inspired trends that won’t make the most of your shape!
Harem pants
Units
Jumpsuits
These are probably not your best fashion choice for the summer as it is a hard look for anyone to pull off. There is no clear division between the upper and lower areas of the body and, as a result, you appear heavier than you actually are. Stick to styles that emphasize your natural waist!
