The 80s: A Time When Pop Collars, Jordache Jeans, and Dreamy Love Songs Were Everything
Okay, let’s talk about something that never gets old: the 80s. I recently found myself hooked on The Carrie Diaries, and let me tell you, it’s been like stepping back into a time machine. Watching young Carrie Bradshaw navigate 1984, before she became the icon we all know and love in Sex and the City, also in And Just Like That, has given me a whole new perspective. Suddenly, every moment from those shows makes complete sense. But as I sit here, I can't help but think, “Where’s my neon scrunchie and cassette tape?” Because, let’s be real, the 80s had a whole vibe.
The more I watch, the more I realize how simplethings were back then, no Instagram stories to obsess over, no endless TikToks to keep up with, just pure, unfiltered fun. And, oh, the music... Let's say today’s pop songs don't hold a candle to the anthems we had. Back then, we had dreamy love songs that made us want to dance under the stars with someone special. How can you not feel some serious nostalgia when Total Eclipse of the Heart comes on, or you hear Whitney singing “I Wanna Dance With Somebody?” Those songs were magic. They took us places, usually our bedroom, cool posters on the wall, and with a Walkman and a heart full of hopes.
And let's talk about style. I mean, Jordache jeans were the dream. If you didn’t have a pair, you weren't part of the crew. We had our fair share of questionable choices, like those oversized, off-the-shoulder sweatshirts and mullets, but we wore them all with pride. I know you remember the thrill of popping your collar, strutting around thinking you were the hottest thing on the block. Seriously, who even needs a jacket when your collar is doing all the work?
Oh, and I haven’t even started on the movies. That era was golden: Pretty in Pink, Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, among others. Every movie was like a love letter to high school life, where everything felt like it had potential, no matter how awkward. And don’t even get me started on the hair. Voluminous, wild, and everything, we didn’t need to worry about frizz back then; we embraced it. Big hair = big fun.
I catch myself missing it all now. Growing up in the 80s wasn’t just about the music or the clothes, though. It was about the freedom. We didn’t have smartphones or the internet to keep us indoors. We went out, hung out with friends, rode our bikes all day, and didn’t get distracted by the “noise” of life. It was all about friendship bracelets, roller rinks, and how cool it felt to finally get your hands on that cassette you’d been waiting months to own.
So yeah, as I sit here reminiscing, I’m reminded that the 80s weren’t just a time, they were a feeling. A feeling of carefree days, awesome tunes, and the best of style. And if you’re like me, you're probably looking at today's trends and wondering, “What happened to the good stuff?” Maybe that’s why I’m so hooked on The Carrie Diaries, it’s like being able to time travel back to the days when life was fun, simple, and just a little bit cooler than it is today. Don’t even get me started on the Jordache jeans though... I've been on the hunt for the perfect pair since the COVID pandemic, and I am not giving up. However, I did go further and get myself a pair of Guess jeans during COVID. Just because that popped in my head while I was running down memory lane, looking ....