’80s State of Mind

 

My guy friends seem to be all about the ’80s lately. One is going as Burt Reynolds circa the Trans Am years for Halloween, one just bought a Rubik’s Cube and an instructional DVD for how to solve it, and another, who has a nickname for everyone, insists on calling me either Molly (as in Ringwald) or P.L. (Princess Leia).

It’s got me thinking about pop culture and ’80s fashion. I’ve already written about neon tops, Material Girls, and Wayfarer sunglasses, but there are so many under-the-radar pieces that have a nostalgia factor to warm the hearts of us ’80s babies with a timeless vibe we can wear forever.

Take the Alexander Wang Donna Hobo sitting pretty in blush pink. This is a bag I’ll build outfits around, and I can further retrofit my look with vintage Chanel jewelry and Rag & Bone riding boots. I’ve still got a flame for Judd Nelson’s John Bender from The Breakfast Club, and this fall girls can get in on his bad-boy charisma via a William Rast button-down, Current/Elliott skinnies, Luxury Rebel booties, and American Retro fingerless gloves. And finally, I’m loving the thought of Nanette Lepore’s prim 16 Candles Top paired with the I’m No Angel Leather Skirt—a haute combo no Jake Ryan could resist.

--Suzanne