IHS students return to the 80’s to honor alumni during Homecoming week

Barry Byers Posted Italy High School
Image: Kyle Fortenberry sports the mullet hair style, which became well-known during the 80’s, along with a complete leather ensemble.

Kyle Fortenberry sports the mullet hair style, which became well-known during the 80’s, along with a complete leather ensemble. (Barry Byers)

Tuesday — As part of a lost and restless generation when the girls couldn’t seem to decide on any one thing to wear, so they wore it all, and when the mullet was finally propelled into national fame after growing under the radar throughout the 60’s and 70’s, the current Italy High School students flashed back to the glory days of the 80’s to honor past alumni and have a few chuckles at our expense.

Truly capturing the spirit from the 80’s, students puffed-up their pony tails, threw on denim and leather jackets and sported their tights in a showing of school unity and team spirit in preparation for Friday’s Homecoming game.

Below is a list of items that would have been worn as students roamed the IHS hallways in the 80’s:

  • Large Plastic Earrings – These were so big, it’s a good thing they were plastic or our earlobes would have pulled off. They featured bright colors and wild designs.
  • A belt with metal studs in it – Usually black or a neon color, this belt sat low on the hips and wrapped around at least 2 times. Matching studded bracelet optional.
  • Big hair – Guys, girls, it didn’t matter. Big hair was of the utmost importance. Sales of mousse and Aqua Net probably made up 1/3 of the GNP during the 80s.
  • Swatch watches – Anywhere between 1 and 3 could be worn comfortably at one time. Usually interspersed with various friendship bracelets, rubber or metal bangles. The Swatch Guard was another must.
  • Parachute pants – These comfy pants were only sold for guys unfortunately but were way cool because of their many zippers and comfortable, lightweight fabric.
  • Hightop Sneakers – Was it the aerobics craze or the new superstar endorsements that made these huge. Reebok, LA Gear, Converse and Nike were the popular brands and usually worn with at least 2 pairs of multi-colored laces and scrunchy socks.
  • Spandex – One of my personal favorites, either by itself or under a dress or skirt. Short or long, colored or patterned, apparel made of spandex was a major part of the 80s wardrobe. Probably the least missed fashion trend of the 80s.
  • Hats – The rappers wore them turned to the side, the girls wore them pushed way back so their big hair could stick out (thank you Debbie Gibson) but we all had them.
  • 1 Glove – Don’t lie. We all idolized Michael Jackson for his music, dance moves and fashion forward attire. No one can properly moonwalk without wearing a single glove, preferably sequined. Also, fingerless gloves made popular by Judd Nelson who played the character John Bender (the bad-boy) in the movie the Breakfast Club in 1985, were often part of student attire.
  • The Members Only Jacket – No list would be complete without this must-have fashion item of the 80s. The 80s was all about cliques and proving you were better than everyone else and there was nothing that said you subscribed to this way of thinking like the Members Only Jacket. Of course, nothing said what group you subscribed to better than the Italy High School Letter Jacket…and we wore them with pride.

Go Italy!