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.