Show Me Your 80's

TICK TICK TICK TICK TICK

Do you hear that?

It's the sound of the clock winding down to Pretty in Plaid's release.  Thirty-five more days!

(OK, typing "thirty-five more days" just gave me a panic attack, but that's neither here nor there.  I'm so deeply into Book-Five-mode that I keep forgetting that this one isn't completely behind me.)  (Also, Pretty in Plaid has already gone back to print.  Everyone whose job it is to care about this sort of thing tells me this is really good news.)  (Thank you, book sellers!)

ANYWAY.

More than anything, Pretty in Plaid is a nostalgic book.  Although it covers stories from the 70's through the 90's (so, yes, it's kind of a prequel to Bitter) I dig the 80's aspect of it most of all.  The styles, the music, the vibe... everything about the 80's makes me happy. 

What I love about 80's style is no other decade has been as iconic in terms of fashion and its direct relationship to pop culture.  Even in my rural high school, kids defined exactly who they were sartorially.  We had the Madonna wanna-bes, the Flashdancers, the Breakdancers, the Headbangers, the Stray Cats Rockabilly Boys, etc.  And a little later, once I hit college, we had the Miami Vice Dudes, the Junior Stockbrokers, the Heathers, etc. 

The thing is, the 80's make me so happy that... SURPRISE!  We're turning my book tour into a big 80's bash!!  

The bookstores are on board and they'll be playing 80's music at the events and I'll be there in all my 80's finery.  Granted, that means Lacostes with popped collars and khaki walking shorts.  Honestly, that's not much of a stretch from my current wardrobe.  Lest you think the Lacostes are a cop-out and I won't suffer for my craft, I'll say this: enormous 80's hair extensions will be involved. 

Although it's certainly not a requirement, I'd l love it if YOU came to the events in YOUR favorite 80's outfit!  Plus, if you guys choose to participate, we're going to get a ton of media because 300 women in plaid ARE going to get noticed.   

To get everyone fired up, I need your help.  Every day between now and when I leave for tour, I'm going to post one of your 80's photos.  I want to see your acid wash and crimped hair and dinner plate sized Fergie bow.  Show me your Bermuda bag and add-a-bead necklace.  Share your parachute pants and Judas Priest concert tee. 

Please send your best (or worst) shot from back then, along with any sort of caption or story you want to add and a link back to your website, if applicable. Email your jpeg or gif to:

showmeyour80s@gmail.com

Now, before we go back to the past, here are some of my favorite looks from my recent 80's party, many of which I just swiped from friends' Facebook pages.  (Thanks, guys!) 

 

Members Only jacket AND a Sports Walkman?  Excellent attention to detail!

 

Speaking of detail, anything "jelly" is key.

 

As are all things Esprit.

 

Love the authentic use of stubble.

 Neon rocked the house at my high school.

 

Dear Diary: Heather told me she teaches people "real life." She said, real life sucks losers dry. You want to fuck with the eagles, you have to learn to fly. I said, so, you teach people how to spread their wings and fly? She said, yes. I said, you're beautiful.

 

This looks exactly like every fraternity party I attended.  (Floors were sticky for authenticity, too.)

  

Indeed, that IS a wine cooler in my hand.  I have 40 more of them in my pantry.  Want one?

  

Is this my house or the Delta Sigs?  Because I can't tell.

   

Fletch had a Metal Lounge for VIP guests.

 

What a feelin'!  I am music now!  Bein's belivin'!  I am rhythm now!

Finally... the REAL 80's...

 

And now, show me YOUR 80's.

Comments

[Erica]

Though I was born in 1985...I wanted to give this a shot..

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/photo.php?pid=107127&id=711530359

I hope I don't let the 80's down!

[Prep in the Big Apple]

I'm a huge fan of yours and own all of your books and am so excited about the release of Pretty in Plaid!

[nadine]

God, I had great HAIR in the 80's...sun kissed (sure they were) highlights. a carefully controlled mess of cascading corkscrew locks.

sigh. it's practically orgasmic just thinking back on the utter perfection, when great hair days really were great hair days.

and to balance all, great big puffy shoulder pads, that magically made my hips look miniscule. and those lady-like court shoes for dress up.

God, I want more.

[Michelle]

I wish I had pictures...button down shirts w/bling-y pins at the neck...super long fake pearl necklaces. V-neck sweaters worn backwards and those super tight long skirts with the really high wasteband. Super HIGH heals. Loved it all!!!!

[Candice]

Love all of the pictures.

Guess what I just cracked open?

No, not a beer.

Such a Pretty Fat. :)

Gotta go. Shit to do...

[michelle]

I recently discovered your books and became an instant fan! Now love reading your blog! My husband just threw me an 80's party for my 40th. Here are some pics....

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8MaMnDlm1USDg

[Sandra]

Jen--just in time...this week on VH1, a new "One Hit Wonders of the '80's"!!!!!!!!!!!! Tonight is the 3rd episode. Enjoy, and you can thank me later.

[Shannon]

Love the eighties theme. For my sisters 30th (last year) we did a cruise and made up our own theme. It was eighties hair bands. They always make me smile!!!

BYT...can you please please please let us know what you have read lately or suggest (I know, you have tons of spare time...Rock of Love Bus cannot be missed!) :)

[pam]

Oh.My.God. I had nearly that same red/black plaid jacket, black leggings, etc. outfit in high school.

[Andrea]

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=51373&id=506351086#/photo.php?pid=1254720&id=506351086

Opps here is the picture!

[Andrea]

yes that is a guns and roses tee shirt on my friend Star and yes those are Bartels & James wine coolers. And if your wondering... I have a banana clip in my hair.

[Sue B]

Until I can find the photos, one word will have to suffice: Perm.

[Jordan]

I think I grew up in the wrong decade. I was made for the 80's. Love the music. Really love that an all pink wardrobe would have been completely acceptable. Wish I could have been there.

[sarah]

6th down - more authentically fratty thanks to the sorority squat.

my pictures from the 80s mainly involve diapers, but I do have some sorority pictures from the early 2000's dressed up in the 80s...does that count?

[becca]

I didn't live the 80's quite like you but nonetheless you guys are rad! Shout out to the subzero too ;)
Bex of madison, wi; home of SubZ

[Bobbi]

I wore jelly shoes, neon clothes and I vaugely remember tying a bandana around my leg. And I rocked leg warmers like nobody's business.

I remember seeing a picture of my sister in parachute pants and a RATT t-shirt!

[The Stiletto Mom]

Oh Dear God....where did I leave my leg warmers and fingerless gloves?

Crap.

Now I have to go shopping. But for you, pretty much anything. :) Sounds fun!!!

PS: I'm even bringing a girlfriend from the 80's with me for authenticity!

[MazingAmy]

OK, this 80s pic is SO 80s it seems fake. 2 of my college roommates and I on our way to a Phi Kappa Psi party in March 1988 @ USC

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb236/GridironGoddess/lynnamyamyUSC.jpg

[Michele]

My manicurist (a tiny young thing a good ten years younger than me) recently was so exited to show me her pictures from an 80s party. She and her husband went as a 80s prom couple. OMG!! She had on my exact prom dress (that she got at the Salvation Army for $5)and her husband had my dates exact look down as well. Indeed we did look funny..I mean HOT...or was it COOL?!?! I will send pictures!

[Melissa]

Do you realize that you have had the same jaunty-turned-to-the-left face tilt since the 80s??!

If it's ain't broke... girl, don't fix it! :)

[Linda Gault]

I have to laugh, I am an avid fan of yours but I was a teenager in the 60's!! Now those really were the days! But anytime we get to remember high school and college is the absolute best. My daughter is a product of the eighties--I'm the lucky one who got to pay for all those 'alligators', layers and layers of sweaters (don't forget the one that was never worn--it was the perfect color to 'tie around the shoulders' over the other two sweaters!!)
I admit to being old--I still think my daughters hair has never looked as great as it did in the eighties!! Still love the 'big hair"!!
Jen, I love your books-age doesn't matter-funny is funny!! I've read them all but my favorite excerpt is still your trip to the gynogologist!! I laughed so hard my sides hurt and I couldn't read for the tears
streaming down my cheeks!!
I've pre-ordered Pretty in Plaid, can't wait to read it! Stay bitchy!

-

[the other Moira (who knew?)]

I have pair of acid washed jeans, size 13/14 "tight" which I purchased from the Gap in 1987 and held onto as "goal" jeans. Can I just say HA!

If you are in the Mpls area, are thin enough, and would like to wear them to Jen's Rosedale reading, let me know. moira904 at yahoo dot com.

[Mandy Blake]

Hello! I stumbled upon your blog and am so excited to read your books now. Love your fresh perspective and honesty. Now I need to get the scanner out and send some 80's pics.

Cheers!

[Sarah Riley]

First off, Jen you are welcome. I am a bookseller at a Barnes and Noble and I tell everyone I see looking at memoirs about your books! And secondly I may have been only a child (rather than a teen or early 20's) of the 80's, but I will be at your Twin Cities signing in full-on 80's garb! Can't wait!

[Andria and Co.]

If I show you my 80's, I'll be sporting a diaper. But, the 90's? Those were some baaaad years.

[Stephani]

Although I went to a Catholic high school and had to wear uniforms, I still totally rocked the 80's thing! Lacy ankle socks, multiple bracelets, HUGE hair(had a can of Aqua-Net Extra super hard to hold and a mirror in my locker for emergencies) and yes, the black eyeliner heated with a lighter for super smudge-ability! Gotta love it! I am all about the 80's...it was a great time for me...the truly carefree age(when I was in high school) and the best time of my life!

[Laura]

Re: MK's post...I totally agree! Maybe I should have my 17 year old daughter comment; she was born in 1992 and has seen old episodes of Full House and Roseanne, so surely she can relate to the 80's...NOT!

[paperdiva]

OMG this is going to be funny!

[Kara]

Can someone explain what a "Members Only" jacket is? I've seen them referenced in various I-Love-The-80s ways, but I haven't got a hot clue what it is. Mayhaps we did not have them in Canada?

[Soren]

I will find the pics, oh yes, I will!

In related news, I was talking about big 80s hair with my hairdresser, and colored mousse (all the better to scrunch with) and she didn't remember b/c she was only born then! OMG... Made me feel so... you know.... stabby.
I will scan and send, can't wait to see others!

[Laura]

I was born in 1960, so, don't hate me,but I'm more of an I Love the 70's gal. But I was in my 20's in the 80's and totally loved the clothes(shoulder pads in T-shirts!)My husband still has an acid washed bomber style jean jacket with leather(faux?)collar.He can't part with it, even though he's 40 lbs. heavier than when he bought it.He'd wear it if I let him. He still laments the end of the mullett and just recently let me toss out his size 30 Levi's. Ya just gotta come to terms eventually. Love you Jen, love your books, and your wit. Squee!

[MK]

Those of you spent at least part of the 1980's:

1)in grade school; or
2)in diapers; or
3) in your mother's womb;

you suck...:)

[Amisue]

Does anyone remember Coca-Cola shirts?
Ok now I have to figure out how to use my scanner today...went through the photo album, it's like a treasure trove of 80's goodness.

[Wheresthething]

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f319/Mladydi/diana-1.jpg

Philadelphia. September 1983. I looked like I just stepped off the cover of Duran Duran's Rio album - yeah, the vinyl one. Spike earrings and all. Dang...I'd consider starting to stick my finger down my throat to get that body back. Of course, the bobblehead look isn't great on everyone - particularly at 44! See you in Boston (I'll try to rustle up a boy-toy belt buckle somewhere)!

~Diana (twitter: mladydi)

[Mel]

I went to Catholic school so we never got to wear cool clothes! *Sigh* We did, however, have some awesome hair! (Or not!)

http://chicagogirlgonemild.blogspot.com/2009/03/i-heart-80s.html

[Stefanie]

So as I wasn't born until '82 I don't have any authentic 80's pictures, but there is a kick ass bar here in Portland, OR called Lola's Room and every Friday is 80's Night so this is from the last time we rocked Lola's Room.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/61403255@N00/3402448992/

We'll have to hit Lola's Room when you are here in May. I'll buy you a wine cooler. :-)

[Jennifer]

Jen! My girlfriends and I just had our annual "Girls Getaway" weekend. This year's theme was an 80's theme. I am attaching the link... I hope it works, the picture is great!

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/photo.php?pid=30324344&id=162900718

[mary]

Hmmm...my group of Jen-o-phytes is debating the fun factor of dressing up for the Portland signing v. the humiliation factor of arriving someplace trendy for drinkys afterwards (we don't get out much, we WILL be making an evening of this!!) looking like we may have double parked the time machine outside...

[Hilary Price]

Check out the shades, dude! And can you believe I thought I was fat?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/houseofur/hilcarm.jpg

[MonsteRawr]

The entire 80's era cracks me up; it was so unapologetic! I didn't actually participate, since I was 4 when they ended. However, since I got all my hand-me-downs from older cousins I was sporting the over-sized black/neon sweatshirts and jelly shoes WELL into the 90's.

[Jenn]

I not only had pink parachute pants, but wore them with tie-dyed scrunch socks and those nice bangs that looked like you'd walked into a wall, and sprayed them to stay that way. And you know what they say..."the bigger the hair, the closer to god". I think that may be the Texas state motto.

[Alison Hornberger]

I loved the 80's sometimes I wish I could go back. Loved the spiked look and mulet look all in one. Hope this link works.

http://www2.snapfish.com/slideshow/AlbumID=256741974/PictureID=6921027567/a=164652443_164652443/otsc=SHR/otsi=SPIClink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish

[monica in raleigh]

the 80's rocked, my girls just had an 80's dance at school (they wore hot pink, big pony tails, mini skirts, and leg warmers and my son wore a "save ferris" shirt ! I just finished Such a Pretty Fat - busted up when you mentioned Ups and Downs - thats where my prom dress came:D rock on!

[Michelle Smiles]

How funny! I just did 3 posts on my early/mid 80's because my mom sent me a box of old crap. It was fun to see it all!

[Nicky]

I just got a brand new pair of brown leather Sperry Topsiders, and have two vintage Izod Lacoste polos making their way to me via Ebay as we speak. And I wasn't even prepping (no pun intended!) for an 80's event. That's just my summer wardrobe.

[Stephanie]

All about the acid-wash, the big t-shirt and Reeboks, but smart enough not to take any pix that might come back to haunt me!

[thatShortChick]

I plan on being at your huntersville, NC signing and I can't wait to see the outfits! I was born in '86 so I would feel like poser if I dressed up bit I guess that pretty much sums up the decade.

[Carrie]

My friends and I were already planning on dressing in 80's garb for the book signing, now we won't look like crazy stalker people. See you May 5th!

[Elisa]

I have moved many times since the 80s and gained a ton of weight, so I might not show up in 80s clothes... but I can probably find a basque hat and some jelly bangles ;-)

[LizS]

I totally did a double-take on that "fraternity party" pic; I have a picture that looks identical! Granted, it's from an '80s party too... since I was born in '83.

But, if I can find that pic, I'm sending it! It's uncanny how alike they are! =)