Retro Inspired Fashion Trends

Don Henley sang about them in "Boys of Summer" and Tom Cruise wore them in "Risky Business", and now the sunglass icon of the 1980's is back. Ray-Ban has recently brought back their ûber-popular "Wayfarer" style sunglasses. The traditional black-framed "Wayfarer" is once again available and now it has companions that have tortoise shell frames, as well as two-tone frames.

Are you ready to relive your youth? Other fashion trends from the 1980's are making a comeback as well.

Long and lean was the look for the lower body 20-something years ago. Leggings, zipper-leg, pegged jeans, and Bermuda shorts were all the rage, especially when they were worn with long, tunic style tops. A look at what is hanging on the racks in department stores today tells you that the look is back, with some modifications.

Capri pants are a more recent fashion trend, but this season they have flashed back to earlier times by becoming snugger fitting. Bermuda shorts were not immune to downsizing either. They are no longer the slightly baggy, madras plaid of the preppy generation, but are back in solids and subdued patterns and are much more form fitting.

T-shirts were a hot commodity in the 80's. Teens everywhere could be seen sporting tees from OP, Ron Jon's Surf Shop, and their hair band of choice. Tees are just as popular today and many of them sport retro logos for soda and other products of a bygone era, as well as 1980's cartoon characters such as Strawberry Shortcake and Hello Kitty.

The tunic top originated in the 1970's as a trapeze style top and evolved into the 80's as a hip length top that was banded at the bottom and worn over leggings or tight jeans. It is back in stores today looking much as it did back then and can be seen on fashion forward girls everywhere worn over, yes, you guessed it, leggings. Leggings haven't necessarily come a long way, but they do come in prints now and some are even trimmed with lace.

Tops from the decade of decadence were frequently patterned with stripes, polka dots, or other brightly colored patterns and today's most popular tops are no exception. Broadly striped tees are hanging next to shirts patterned with stars, rainbows, and heart motifs at stores nationwide.

A walk through the designer section of any department store will let you know that the most famous style icon of the 1980's is back. That's right, the alligator is back on chests all across America. The sport shirt by Izod was a fashion must have for the preppy set. Ralph Lauren's polo player followed it closely. The alligator and polo man are featured prominently not only on shirts, but on many other items from shoes to jackets.

Chunky jewelry, and big dangly earrings are also making a comeback. Sure the earrings drag your earlobes down to your shoulders, but they look great while doing it! Metals figure prominently in the jewelry trends of today, as do bright colored stones and beads.

So, why you may not want to dig your Flashdance shirt and leg warmers out of the closet just yet, you will want to keep an eye on the retro fashion trends that are on the horizon.