The next item she requested, however, had me baffled and I couldn't agree to it...mostly because I had no idea what it was. She wanted it because it was Strawberry Shortcake, but she also had no clue what it was. Here is an example:
We agreed that a slushee would be better than the $4.00 package of confusing bands that lacked any directions or indication of what their purpose might be. (I now see these things everywhere, EVERYWHERE.) I inquired with a coworker and she quickly informed me that these are all the current rage and the kids wear them as bracelets. There are usually multiple bands per fashionable child's arm. (For the financially impaired fashion-forward child, a person could buy a value-pack of "Bandz" at a large retail chain.)
This got me thinking of all the cool things that I just HAD to have when I was a tween/teenager.
1) The ESPRIT jean loafer. This was huge when I was in second grade. All the cool-kids had them -- so naturally, I didn't. I remember that I finally got a pair around Winter time (when they were getting clearanced out, I'm sure) and they weren't so cool anymore. I searched and searched and could not find the elusive loafer, but here is a picture of a similar style:
2) The Slap-Bracelet. Oh the fun!!
3) Zubaz baby!! (The company is still in operation and you can order your very own pair for the bargain price of $30.00) (Sidenote: the Zubaz company is out of its mind)
4) Envelope pants. I searched and searched for a picture, but to no avail. They folded in the front (like an envelope) and were fashionably wild, much like the Zubaz.
5)The french-roll. Or the tight-roll. Or the peg-roll.
This is a very "not-fashionable" photo. The person is most likely mocking the seriousness and the dedication required to properly french-roll your jeans. I also remember that the trend started to involve requiring the person to wear lacy leggings underneath the jeans so that the lace would show when the pants were rolled.... and then a person had to spend the rest of the day re-rolling the jeans because they would slip down and cover the lace.
6) The Hypercolor shirts ... that let everybody know when you were sweating...
And the one trend, that never began but that I desperately wanted to lead -- the red boot brigade. I begged my mom to find me red boots -- nada. I never got the red boots. I wonder why I wanted those...
I know I missed a ton, but this is what I remember from my days. What do you remember from your fashion-frenzy-bandwagon days? And, what is your plan for when your child begs you for the $5 bag of rubber bands that he/she just HAS to have??
Total blast from the 90's, Kim! Love it! How about:
ReplyDelete1.) Those plastic t-shirt holder clip thingys that you pulled a massively oversized t-shirt through to create a, um, "sidetail". Don't forget the teeny leggings underneath. Hawt.
2.) Coed Naked shirts. For the daring freshman who wanted to make a pornographic statement without really saying a word.
3.) The flowery, flowy dress or skirt, worn with Doc Martens, and sometimes a choker or a "Blossom" hat. Cuz, ya know, just in case you like, wanted to go on a little spontaneous hike. And needed a dog collar. And shade.
I'd recommend sending a request to Grandma. I had two $4 bagz of bandz mysteriously show up in our mailbox one day, thanks to Wyoming Granny (who happens to teach middle schoolers and is "in the know" about crap like that.) Plus Grandmas are suckers for cute kids.
Hey Kim!
ReplyDeleteAh, the much loved Hyper color shirt. My husband thinks I'm crazy cause (a) I never had one and (b) I didn't really remember them at all from my younger years.
I recall the A-W-E-S-O-M-E ESPRIT bag/backpack that I HAD to have and finally got, like you, probably 6 months past the coolness of it. You know, the backpack you only carried on one shoulder to this day I regret, cause I always get a knot in that shoulder?
As far as the bands go, perhaps that's a great item to put on her birthday/Christmas list. I think they would make a great stocking stuffer :-)