80's Trends - Men

I think its quite obvious by now that the 80's are back. From electro pop music to the endless movie remakes to fashion. Most people seem split on whether the original 80's or the current versions of it is better. Having lived through the 80's, I can safely say you can't beat the original. For electro pop, you can't top the melodiousness or inventiveness of acts like Yazoo (they've reformed! Happiness!), OMD (if you know what these letters stand for, you are a child of the 80's), Depeche Mode, Erasure, Pet Shop Boys, Soft Cell and lesser known acts like Book of Love (US electro anyone?) and Seona Dancing (Ricky Gervais' group, yes, the comedian). Oh, MTV used to show videos then.

Sorry I digress. For fashion, it was a time for playful experimentation and nothing seemed too wild or weird or useless (leg warmers?) The last few seasons have seen popular revivals of trends from the 80's for the ladies. Some, like shoulder pads has been updated to sculpted shoulders. Logomania was taken to a whole new extreme. Others you can't really change much. Leggings are still eh, leggings, only this time round they are gaudier and more holey.

Men's fashion here has been caught up in/stuck with the shorts craze for forever. From baggy camo cargoes to the tailored looks these days. Fashion mavericks have tried to adopt the ladies' looks for men with undesirable results. Menswear with sculpted shoulders just look costumey, fit only for glam rock stars like Adam Lambert or Tokio Hotel. And this season's leggings for men? If even David Beckham has not tried the look... Unless we go all the way back to the era when men painted their faces white, dot fake moles, wear curly wigs and frilly sleeved shirts, no man can rock leggings! (I give exception to Pharrell, this guy can wear anything and make it work.)

What about 80's men's trends then? I have noticed a few that seem on the verge of returning. Good or bad, we shall see. Unfortunately for menswear, there's only so much room for adaptation and change. I'm talking specific looks/items here.

Jacket over Hooded T (with hood hanging out over jacket)
A Hong Kong star recently wore this look to promote a movie here. Only now its matched with shorts (again) instead of pants or jeans. Wholesale copy of 80's item of clothing. It would be interesting if someone can evolve the look a bit.

Slim Belt worn long with end tied in a loop and tip pointing south
It used to be slim cowboy belts with metal tips worn with tight high waisted jeans or pleated pants. But I guess any belt can work as well.

Too short Pants
Blame it on Michael Jackson for showing this look to the world in his music videos.

Neon/Hi-lighter Colours
Shorts are here to stay, it just comes in acid neon colours now.

and maybe Muscle Shirt
The sleeveless shirt seem poised for a return too.

Some 80's trends I hope to never see again, at least not in its original form include :

Bolo Ties/Collar Brooches
This is a major threat. With the popularity of line dancing here... I shudder at the thought.

Cycling Shorts/Tights
With the big aerobics craze then, some guys were crazed enough to walk around the streets in them. The only decent bulge in a man's pants should come from his wallet.

Super Baggy Pants
In any form, multi-pleats or harem.

The 80's saw the decade open with one extreme look and close with another. Both in the same colour palette - mainly black. In between was a kaleidoscope of colours and prints. It started with the beggar look created by the Japanese designers Rei Kawakubo and Yohji Yamamoto. Closing with stealth wealth advocated by Prada and Jil Sander. With the recent economic crisis making the wealthy shun displays of ostentation, stealth wealth is creeping back. Ladies bags are getting plainer but the designs still recognizably belong to the brands so prices remain high. It'll be interesting to see if the designers can extend the trend to apparel. I'm not sure if people would be willing to pay top dollar for plain clothes with no screaming logos. I suspect the major brands would have a more differentiated collection. A more subtle one for the developed countries and one for the newly rich countries just entering into the world of luxury brands where the display of logos is a rite of fashion passage.