80s redux K/R - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

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80s redux K/R

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Is going back to styles you loved in your 20s, when you are 60, a good or bad idea? This autumn/winter here in NZ there are a lot of 80s styles. I have only had one pair of cords since these ones I loved in the 80s which were a golden/amber colour. And I used to wear those high waisted pleated styles- see pic 1 1985. And I have missed a soft cream knit like in pic 2 also 1985.
So in the last week have bought 3 items to re-create. Can wear the cream top with frilled mock neck up or tucked down inside. The new jumper is very soft, made of recycled nylon/mohair/wool. Least sure about the ankle length wide legged high waisted pants. 30 days to return in-store.
Hubby was unsure about the pants. The SA was very excited and said “this is my favourite outfit of the day, and I’m not just saying that”. I had taken the boots and jumper/top along to the pants store. This is the larger of my 2 sizes, both DH and SA felt these fell away from the backside better as they are supposed to. Also they were 50% off in store yesterday only by chance.
I have other shoes, tops etc I can wear with them.
It’s such a big change but I have been kind of bored with my clothing.
You are welcome to be honest!

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Dressing

34 replies

Latest reply was from Jenni NZ

Irina

Veteran

Jenni, I had almost exactly the same cords in the 80s!!!
I love the cream sweater, so beautiful and looks great on you. With the pants I’m on the fence. They look a bit too big below hips, I think. But man, your waist is so narrow. Why were you hiding it all this time? You look fab with a top tucked in!

JAileen

Veteran

I love that style of pants, and wore them in the 80s.

I like the tucked in top. As Irina said, why have you been hiding your tiny waist? I can’t really wear the clothes of my youth. I was very slender then, and am now Covid pudgy. I bought some overall shorts, but they looked ridiculous, so I returned them.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I love the pants. They are roomy, yes, by design. The fit is good, and I think they look cool on you. I also love the sweater--so soft and pretty! I wonder if you could use a size down in the sweater? I'm thinking it looks a bit too voluminous with the pants.

The pic where you are in just the frilled turtleneck is terrific to my eye, but I also would like to see you have options for wearing something over it. What about a short jacket? Or a cropped V-neck chunky cardigan like the styles Angie showed this week?

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Back to say, I see no reason that you couldn't return to these styles.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Thank you for the waist compliments Irina and J’Aileen. I have lost 7 kg since my heaviest in late 2018, and still feel my midsection is thick through comparing it with how it used to be when I was in my 20s, 30s and early 40s. Better than late 2018 though!
Thanks Firecracker, I do have some other fairly cropped toppers. Depending on how everyone feels after a few more responses I could try those out. That’s the first belt I have worn for literally years- last bought 2 belts about 2012 and didn’t wear them. That one is probably older than that.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Oh and the sweater is a Small, they had no XS in the branch I bought it in but could check online. The sweater has tags on and so does the frilly neck top. Buying an XS would be such a surprise though!

rachylou

Veteran

I suppose it depends on what you’re returning to, but this is A Gigantic YES!! Wow I love it. The soft white and soft cords. So great!

(I say depends, because my friend and I have argued about my ‘70s’ tapestry coat and his 80s ‘I’m CIA in disguise’ Hawaiian shirts... hehe )

Joy

Veteran

I don’t see anything wrong with wearing what you liked in the 80s, as long as you don’t expect to look the same. I found cords wear and stretch out too fast so not a fan, but it if you are happy with them, that is what matters

Bijou

Veteran

I’m a big yes to keeping all 3 pieces. You look fab in the cords and I like the fit. I have some new cords and they have not stretched out at all. Mine are wide legged and it is taking some time for my eye to adjust and see them as flattering because I am so used to seeing myself in more fitted pants and skinny jeans.

You need to show off that waist!

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Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I like them! And tucked with a belt especially!

Sally

Veteran

I don't think cords were ever an extreme fashion (correct me if I am wrong) unlike maybe stirrup pants and those pants that used to balloon out and be tight right below the knees (thats what I wore in the 80s). Cords seem like a classic to me like tweed and flannel and they suit you, so I don't think you can go wrong with something like that as long as the fit is comfortable. They look really nice belted on you too. I think you have a classic outfit there. You've got me wanting a pair of cords now.

ChristelJ

Veteran

Firecracker voiced what I was thinking. I love the tucked turtleneck look with the pants and would be interested to see a short jacket with them. Also I believe we are never too old to reconnect with our younger selves, and style is a fun way to do it. I relate to 1970s styles even now and wear some happily.
Great earrings, by the way.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I love wearing similar stuff from past eras that made and continue to make my heart happy! Why not GO FOR IT.

Really pretty jumper. Yes to showcasing your waist. I like the cord pants too!

Anonymous

I like the sweater a lot! Do you have the smaller size pants to compare?

cat2

Veteran

The pants look great with a tucked in top. The sweater looks a little long to me, but maybe it would work over straight bottoms.

notsaf

Veteran

What lovely photos, Jenni! I like cat2's suggestion of wearing these piece separately, so it's not a head-to-toe throw back. LOVE the tucked top on you and what a pretty sweater! I think I had one like that too that I also loved around the same time (but I was a kiddo)!

Anonymous

I have to go with yes, I think repeating styles from way back is not the freshest option, even, maybe especially, for my own psyche.

I like the sweater, the light it casts upwards to your face and the detailing that will make it easier to wear than flat white.

I like the color of the pants and I love corduroy but I think a more streamlined style or a narrower wale would be more flattering.

kkards

Veteran

Love the throwback pictures!
And the current versions as well, fun, and i think they look fresh and not recycled, so definitely keepers in my book

smittie

Veteran

It’s definitely a good idea to go back to styles you liked before.
There are sometimes whole decades where you can’t find the thing that you used to like, and it’s kind of like a little miracle when those things pop back into your life. Take advantage!

Style Fan

Veteran

The pictures from the 80s are great! I had pants like that. I am always happy to see clothing from periods of my life that I loved. I am particularly fond of the 70s. Why not wear those pieces?
You look lovely in the sweater. It looks so good tucked into the pants.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Thank you all! I think I will definitely mix it up and not necessarily wear this all together all the time, as I have other things that both the top half and the pants would be OK with.
Suntiger, I tried the smaller size down of the pants in store yesterday. They fit all right but sort of tucked in under my bottom which both DH and the SA said wasn’t as flattering a cut, and that size was also that little bit shorter which I thought looked odd.
I can wear the jumper more tucked up as well, it looked OK like that.
Bijou, thank you. It is strange to consider getting used to something wider when I have worn slimmer pants for about 3 decades! I sort of feel why would I suit something wide?
Yes thank you Phoebe there were some with a narrower wale which my husband also suggested, they didn’t feel as comfortable and were too long. I like the soft of country feel of the wider wale, although the two of you may be correct the other would flatter more.
I am feeling more likely to keep the items after the mostly positive responses, thanks everyone. Won’t remove the tags just yet.

bella

(website)

Veteran

I think the pants are too voluminous and overwhelm you, but it looks like I am the only one here who thinks so.
I like them a bit better with a tucked-in sweater (photo #7), but #4-5 just look off to me.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

OK thanks Bella! I am still not sure myself... you may know I am trying to wear everything #30 wears so if I commit I have to really commit, you know...

Runcarla

Veteran

I’m wondering about sizing down in both items? Sometimes when you change weight - 7kg is a lot(!) it takes a while for the mind to catch up with the idea that you need a different (smaller) size. Like others have pointed out, you need to show off that waist, Jenni!

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Well... I returned the pants this afternoon. After much thinking I decided it’s difficult enough to wear all the winter pants I already have. And I am still not as keen on my waist as some of you seem to be!
I have different pants in a similar colour already that can do for now. To Runcarla’s point about sizing, I tried an XS in the cream jumper ( sweater) today while out, but decided ultimately to stick to the Small- it was just that smidge longer and the SA who saw both sizes said they are meant to be oversized. I think I will cut the tags on that soon.
Cords may be in my future but those ones may have been a step too far. I was worried that I would pass them over in everyday dressing due to my uncertainty about them. New things should mostly be a slam dunk when I already have a large wardrobe.

Bijou

Veteran

A good decision, if you may not wear them, there is no point in adding them to your wardrobe. When I bought my cords, I immediately was excited to wear them and popped them on the following day. I have found that when I have done a K/R post, it is usually because I am unsure for a reason and that it should be a return. I did like the bronze colour of those cords on you.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Thank you Bijou, especially appreciated since I know you had said you liked them.

bella

(website)

Veteran

Good call. If I am hesitant about a wardrobe item for any reason, it usually ends up languishing in the closet. There is an envelope skirt in my closet right now and I need to decide on it fast. Part of me wants to keep it because it's cool and hip but at the same time, I have a sneaking suspicion that it is slightly off. It wasn't cheap, either.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

It’s tricky when part of you likes something and part of you is not sure, Bella, I agree. Sometimes I can take a wee while to warm up to new things too and then love them! So then I am glad I kept them. Some of these decisions are so difficult, but first world problems I guess in comparison to what many people’s problems are.
I think I spend an inordinate time deciding on these things

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