Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Attack of the 80's

Yello! Neon, crystal rock-hunting, all-in-one ski suits and Cyndi Lauper tunage while you're waiting for the lifts.... It was all about the 80's this weekend when we skied Squaw in Tahoe. So much so that my friend Anne and I alternated between called each other "dude" and "foxy" which cracked us up endlessly. (I know, it doesn't take much...)

Snowboard on the slopes of Squaw
Pink and graphic everything at Squaw

I had always thought the 80's was my time. My enormously boomfy King Tut-like hair was having it's moment, so I could, er,  Walk Like an Egyptian. (Nowadays I have my hair straightened with enough chemicals to kill a boatload of cockroaches) Old photos reveal though that my big bangs (fringe) and bigger brows were not as timeless as I'd hoped...

1985 in Wellington NZ, me at bottom right

Fast forward 30 years to Squaw... I was totally stoked to spot this veritable dude who was tailgating (an American term for picnicking from the back of your car - how 80's!) smoking a ciggy and drinking a Pabst Blue Ribbon (80's!) having just returned from a crystal-hunting trip (80's!) down the valley (80's!)


Knarly tree at Squaw...
....and knarly tailgating dudes..

On Friday night I wore my pale pink 80's-esque "pumps"out to dinner (high court shoes we would call them) as part of my pearls and pink bow-tie Margaret Thatcher outfit.  Don't know if Mags would have worn the aaaqua trou though "course you would, you saucy minx" (quick: which movie is that line from?)

My pale pink 80's pumps...
I originally bought these pumps to go with a vintage dress for my 50th birthday next week. Theme: 1962. But they are so 80's too! As is my very weird pose again the wall (okay now I'm making up the 80's references) Btw, the heels turned out to be killers, as in killing!!!

Weird pose is definitely more delivery ward than bodacious babe who gets the bohunk (quick: which movie was bohunk from?) I blame the art direction of the eight year old photographer...Cy!

How was the 80's for you?


47 comments:

  1. Love Cindy Lauper. In 80's I still lived in Georgia, former USSR. So, not a lot was available, but I managed to DIY bleached jeans. the problem was the only bleach available was powder and it must have not dissolve right because my pants came out looking as if someone threw-up on them :( I still wore those, I was brave back then :)

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    1. Even then you were an artist! If Damien Hirst had done those pants they would be hanging in Tate! They sounds fabulous!

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  2. Loved the 80's. I was in my 20's, a size two and spent every dime I earned and then some on designer clothes in Milan. I also managed to travel the globe. Oh those were the days!

    Oh well, back to scrubbing pots in the kitchen I go....

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  3. The 1980's. Ah yes; working in radio, way back then. Telling the stories of the world to eager listeners. And some not-so-eager, perhaps.

    Back then, I was wearing suits to work. Nothing fancy; I couldn't afford fancy.

    Glad the 80s were good to you. And that you can re-live the fun.

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    1. I worked in radio for a year in NZ. I was the worst newsreader they ever had, I couldn't stop stuttering over the word "hospital"

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  4. I love your pale pink 80's pumps! Too cute.

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  5. I wish I'd kept some of my 80s clothes. I had a red backless jumpsuit but it was very polyester-ish and therefore prone to electric shocks. But I do remember a gorgeous vivid pink short evening dress with a puffball hemline - why on earth did I give that away?

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    1. Yes, the puffball hems...I was very partial to those too, especially one which was pink and with silver painted blobs on it!

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  6. 1985 is my year! I quite loved the 80s :O)

    What the heck was with the big feathered bangs we all used to have lol! I thought I was quite timeless too. Strange that I still dress the same way I did when I was 14.

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    1. Yes I put a new meaning into feather and its not light...

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  7. Not the greatest decade for me in hindsight.....although my son was born, and I was a mom, I look older in photos from then than I do now! all that big hair and shoulder pads and blazers and hairbands. Now the 70's? aaahhh those were the days. ps. love the outfit...especially the shoes and trousers.

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    1. Yes, I actually think I looked older in my 30's than I do now - short weirdly highlighted hair and gathered skirts with full tops did not help matters...

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  8. Hahaha I know it's totally back, isn't it? I've been buing a lot of of 80s pieces but then I'm thinking. Wait, doesn't this mean I'm too old to wear it if I've already worn something similar in my lifetime?

    Loving your aqua pants though. The color is totally rad! ;)

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  9. Thanks for visiting even though the trip down memory lane was a bit of a shocker. Yep, my eighties were spent in Chch - student days too :-) Hair, long and au naturel, but would have liked to afford a long pre-Raphaelite perm. I was wearing vintage back then from Atlantis Market et al, second hand folk-inspired stuff and what I perceived to be Classic - updated tweed skirts, felt berets, button boots. I was definitely drawn to the toned down jungle print look but I did own a pair of bright pink cords!

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    1. Hi there, thanks for visiting. I tried the perm thing - was aiming for Barbra Streisand and captured Coco the Clown, spent six months under a blue scarf which in retrospect looked like a tea towel. Oh the memories!

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  10. I loved the 80s, I had a great time! Love your 1985 mullet too!

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  11. Lovely photos and blog :X

    http://www.fashionspot.ro/

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  12. Ha - we could be twins. I had to look twice at that photo because I thought it was me with the huge, layered fringe!
    I noticed this year on the slopes, that all the kids are wearing the bright neon/jewel colours that we wore in the 80's, and today I cane across a vintage bright pink all-in-one ski suit. I tried it on for a laugh, but my waist seems to have thickened somewhat since the 80's. Wasn't such a good look.

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  13. How funny that all our beloved 80's stuff is now "vintage."

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  14. The 80s wasn't my best decade stylewise - I was at an all girls boarding school, and rather partial to Laura Ashley (until I decided I was bored of that and got into lycra and mini skirts...). But I LOVE the music - still get all nostalgic when Simple Minds comes on the car radio....

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    1. Loved them. And a couple of my friends were very Laura with the frilly (pie collar?) shirts. Loved Simple Minds and I was just reminded by Vicky of The Specials, To Much Too Young...(too much fringe for me)

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  15. Ha! I have to be honest- I was a munchkin in the 80s--- but I love checking out photos of my mom & older sister from the decade. Plus I think my hair would have done better that decade....

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  16. Great pictures! Those 1980s pumps are pretty awesome!! xo style, she wrote

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  17. Love the pose in the chair.

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  18. Dude I still like to pretend its the eighties. And with all of the bright bold colors coming back...I feel that I'll fit right in!

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  19. Great shoes! I LOVE 80's music! Yikes to the hair I had. If I didn't want the full "perm," I got a "body wave." Nobody has answered 'Sixteen Candles?' Classic! No greasy bohunks, just yummy Jake.

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  20. 1985 you is one foxy babe! I was born in 1980 so the 80s for me were all about slap bracelets, "elastics" and kung fu shoes. And yea, neon everything.

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    1. I see the slaps are back in...this time in watches.

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  21. I was a little child in the 80s, but I recall my mother's outfits (I simply loved the broad shoulder dresses she wore) and her hair style, twice as big as she wears it now. Love teh aqua pants and the blouse. xo
    Ada

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  22. I am in LOVE with those pale pink 80s pumps! :)

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  23. I was a crazy child! I remember I was wearing my mothers clothes while I was going to the gymnastic courses..I can't forget my teachers' faces...

    I really love the pink 80s pumps!

    xoxoxo

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  24. i belong in the 80's period. i loved (and appreciate) every single little tiny 80's reference in this post.

    the clothes, the bright colors, the movies- oh... and the music!! simple beat & rhythm, easy-to-follow lyrics... so much goodness that our poor kids are MISSING out on!!

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    1. I remember your post on 80's TV shows and it bought back some great memories!

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  25. Oh you wierdos!! The 80s were hideous!!! And so no doubt was I.... Peroxide hair - shaved up the back, skin-tight leggings or chaffing baggy Turkish trousers and cropped tops (I had to buy children's clothes or butcher other things to get them small enough).... OMG the shame!! Not to mention the huge earrings.... ohhhh.... the hair gel.... blimey.... the copious amounts of alcohol..... nooooo.... and the music was TERRIBLE!!!! That coupled with the problem of getting home in stupid clothes and dealing with everyone else's hair-product fumes probably explains the excessive use of alcohol actually.... oh AND Margaret Bloody Thatcher - the saucy minx of Love Actually!! So not a saucy minx Hugh - so not a good role Meryl - Nazi Robot Death Dementer of all who lived in Britian in the 80s.... even thinking about it makes me want another bottle of Rougement Castle (THE worst wine ever made - I think it was a local Devon poison from heinous student days but cheap - EVEN worse than Thunderbird!!) Oh no don't make me go back to the 80s!!!! I'll do anything!!!!.........

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  26. Music? In New Zealand we had the finest with Fred Dagg's gumboots and of course Split Enz - what's not to like? Also Men At Work (okay they're Aussies...). C'mon Eileen, you've got to admit they were all corkers...
    Agree about Mags who is now bizarrely being given the soft treatment that's for sure...How could we forget that she offered safe harbour to Pinochet!!!!!

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  27. Haha! I hated the eighties but I'm sure you can rock them like none other. Love those heels!

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  28. i had really long hair and super big bangs. the worst pics of me ever are from the 80s

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  29. it was the most fashion fun decade!!!

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  30. Great header, love your pumps, and I'm with ya sista - "52" Looks like a fun trip you all had!

    Fun blog and your newest follower! :) xoxo

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Leslie - I'm heading over to yours...

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  31. My daughter had to dress in an 80s costume for a school do. It was hilarious. I remember back-combing my hair. My fringe looked like a bird's nest. Oh not to mention midriff baring tops and leg warmers. Goodness, I looked like a fright! It's lovely to meet fellow Kiwi expat bloggers :)

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