As I watch my nearly 10-year-old daughter wander through her favorite store, Sparkle, it’s as if she’s entered a wonderland. The magnetic pull this cramped boutique has on kids under 12 is stronger than the hold The Limited and Gap had on me in my youth. There must be some kind of tween enchantment woven into all the sparkly and over-the-top outfits hanging ominously on the racks.
She searches for the perfect shirt with the dedication of someone on a prom quest, making me realize how far I’ve fallen when that big moment finally arrives. As she reaches for a dazzling top, tilting her head as she seeks my approval, her excitement is palpable. My role in our shopping trips is to have the final say, and I wield it without hesitation. As I pray for this shopping spree to conclude without a meltdown, I can’t help but notice some eerily familiar trends in the merchandise.
- Macramé is back, which means a new generation will inevitably get their outfits snagged on door handles.
- Neon colors are making a comeback, bringing Wham! back into the limelight. I’ve missed you, George Michael, but let’s avoid any park incidents this time.
- Nail polish is bold and vibrant.
- Tapered pants are trending once again, but only kids can pull them off without hips.
- Floral patterns remain as questionable as they were when Lisa Turtle rocked them on Saved by the Bell.
- Smiley faces and peace signs are eternally fashionable.
- Jean jackets are still the go-to outerwear—Molly Ringwald would approve.
- Capezios have morphed into a similar style, complete with rounded toes and nearly flat bottoms.
- Sweatshirts are still being worn off the shoulder, proving Flashdance was ahead of its time. I just need to hear “What a Feeling” blasting from the speakers to feel whole again.
- Stuffed animals and diaries still capture the hearts of tweens.
- Gum tape is still around, making me nostalgic for the times I got it stuck in my palate stretcher.
- Initials are everywhere, making my daughter happy while my wallet grows lighter.
- Cuffed jeans are making a sad resurgence—some things should stay buried.
- Jean shorts are still way too short from a mother’s perspective, but perfect in her eyes.
- Ripped jeans are the pinnacle of trendy fashion, leaving me to ponder why I’m paying more for less.
- Fringe is back in full force; the only way this could get worse is if mullets made a comeback too.
Just as my own mother did with me, I brace myself for the inevitable sighs and disagreements ahead. Little does my 9-going-on-19 daughter realize, she shares my ’80s spirit. I can only hope shoulder pads remain a relic of the past.
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In summary, it’s clear that fashion has found a way to resurrect the ’80s, much to the delight of today’s youth and the bewilderment of their parents. Trends like macramé, neon colors, and ripped jeans remind us that some styles never truly die; they simply reappear, sometimes with a twist.