It's not big shoulders or acid-washed jeans: it's my introduction to the classics.

I grew up in Venice, CA in the 60s and 70s. I wore super low rise bell bottoms with belts I macrame'd myself, and bare midriff tops. For dress-up I would wear an empire waisted dress that hit about 9 inches above the knee (4-5 above was where Mom wore hers).

I was in college during the very early 80s when suddenly a huge wave of very classic fashions hit. These are some things I had not seen or heard of before:

Ralph Lauren
walking shorts
khaki
the color pink
button-down collars
natural waistlines
the color BLACK
cotton jersey turtlenecks
shetland wool pullovers

You get the idea. I pounced on all of this, fully committed. I felt as though I had been starving for this way of dressing, without even knowing it. I felt adult, elegant, and ready for anything in these classic fashions. It didn't hurt that the color palette suited my coloring (similar to my dog's in the little picture) quite a bit better than the warmer palette of my childhood.

I've learned since that there's still a tiny bit of hippie in me, along with a teensy bit of urban rebel. But I am forever grateful for that particular fashion wave, which showed me the foundation of my personal style.

Do you remember the classic 80s? Is there another fashion trend that helped you define your style?