I've got love for you, if you were born in The 80's...

I was thinking about this 'The 80's are back!!!' thing that's popping up all over the place so I dug out a few photos to relive what they were like for me. Then I buried them again as quickly as possible.

In case you were wondering, the stylish young lady, front row, second from the left, is not me. I am the tartan mormon with the killer fringe and matching purse, front row, second from the right. Can you handle the hotness?


I love how everyone remembers the 80's differently. For me it was New Kids on the Block, my Walk-Man, high-tops, Orangina, Punky Brewster (I lived in the US), Care Bears, Ninja Turtles, Kool Aid, saying the word 'barf' a lot and wishing my name was Tiffany. For people who weren't 80's kids it was acid wash jeans, court shoes in primary colours, toilet brush perms, bad relationship decisions and shoulder pads. Or patterned drop-waist dresses (support teacher, bottom right) OR an insanely cool leggings, braces and belt combo (April, front row, bottom right)...



For some reason though, every time a magazine do a 'Back to the 1980's' feature it's all about the neon. Sure, there was a bit, especially with that 'work out' look (sloppy t-shirt, leggings, high tops, big hair) my mom was rocking for a while, but there was plenty more to choose from.

I'm usually happy to try a trend, but I've always had a strong aversion to anything 'Jordan' neon. I think a near dangerous obsession with a pair of highlighter-yellow high-tops when I was around nine might be to blame. I remember being horrified when the yellow began to fade and then throwing an all-consuming, slaughterous bitch-fit when my mother decided to throw them out. As my therapist says, they're gone now so it's best to move on.

I'm going to pick and choose this time around, I'm quite drawn to neon accessories as long as they're not hoop earrings worn by a size 20 teenager in a size 8 tracksuit pants. Neon clothing is pushing it. Plus if you're over 16 and actually wear any of this shit it will make you look like a children's party entertainer in the throes of a nervous breakdown.

If my 1980's were really coming back, I'd be cutting up tablecloths in order to craft myself a tartan dress with additional purse (Mr. Pedestrian just pointed out it looks a bit like a sporran - as if being the only Irish kid in the class, armed with a Cork accent that sounded like Klingon wasn't bad enough, they may have thought I was wearing a sporran).

But the 80's aren't really coming back, only the nice bits and a fixation with neon, and this time around you can choose what you want to wear yourself, with little or no input from your mother.




Neon Pink Bird Brooch,£5, Asos.com
Chartreuse Sparrow Necklace,$14, Birdwatching

And a little yellow is cheery...