Since forever, my household has been full of nineties and eighties movies. From “The Warriors” to “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” my home always had a movie from those decades playing. This meant that throughout my childhood and teen years I have been very influenced by these films. From wanting to learn to fight just like the “Karate Kid,” to wishing I could dress just like Cher in “Clueless,” or attending a boarding school like in “Dead Poets Society,” these movies gave me a world of dreams to wish for. I wished to be able to have long adventures on bikes with my friends like the boys in “Stand by Me.” To be part of the “Ghostbusters” and battle poltergeists. These films have followed me throughout my life. Watching these films always makes me feel at peace, but I never truly realized how much they influenced my life until a year ago.
I was a senior in high school. The time in your life where you feel like you know both everything and nothing at the same time. I was in my last year in my home town school and had finally curated a style that felt truly like me. I began wearing more flare out pants instead of my skinny jeans, something freshman-year me would be appalled by. I also began wearing more Vans than ever. The iconic shoe of the eighties had been my staple shoe since my brother started wearing them and I wanted to look as cool as he did. Other than the Vans and jeans I also found myself becoming more and more enamored with the fashion of Cher from “Clueless” and Sloan from “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” Both had impeccable style, with bright colors that made me want to be as daring as they were.
Now as I have started studying film at St. Olaf, I have learned that costumes in movies are not what everyday people wear, but I do still find my own wardrobe influenced by films. I add small references to films that are near and dear to me, and if someone notices it and asks me about it, that always makes me so happy.
I find thrifting helps the most when wearing clothes I’m not entirely confident will fit the status quo. Thrifting helps me give myself the permission to spend money on out-of-the-box clothing. I highly suggest it if you want to branch out in your style and still be on a budget.
I am happy to say that this style of ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s clothes is not just a me thing. With shows like “Daisy Jones and the Six” and movies like “Holdovers” coming out, the trend of wearing bell bottoms and headbands is a huge one. It always fills me with so much joy seeing someone walk around with low cut jeans or a pair of older sunglasses tucked in their hair, and I hope to see more of it soon.
