Heights of Awesomeness!

As Christmas approaches, the party planning at work has begun. With a small budget and even smaller timeline to pull off a party for 85 people, creativity has beome essential. With one simple thought, Tacky Christmas Sweaters, (thank you Heather!!!) our mad planning skills have jumped into action. The party theme has evolved into all things Tacky and Cliche for Christmas. More on that later.

What's really important, is that during discussions of lame holiday traditions, our thoughts naturally turned to our childhoods and the trends of the 80s and 90s. So join me if you will as I dig up some references to things I'll bet you've forgotten all about. Even 5 years ago, much of this would have mortified me to admit I was involved in. But I guess I'm officially an old lady now and can finally look back and laugh at myself. Here we go...

• Units. Remember Units? I was never all the way cool enough to have actual Unit branded apparel, but I do remember some stretch pants that could have passed off as such.
• Charm Necklaces. Yes, those were the mark of a cool 6th grader. Most definitely a must have item was the miniature notebook with real 1/2" x 1/2" paper that snapped shut.
• Esprit bags. If you didn't have one, you may as well not even bother showing up for school. However, you may obtain a pass that will excuse you from lameness if you acquired the knock-off version from the Copper Rivet. Yes, that was acceptable until a true Esprit bag could be obtained.
• Layered socks. How many colors did you wear with your stirrup pants and/or Units? We must have looked like a parade of caterpillars.
• Peg-leg pants. This was an art. Everyone had their own method of tucking and rolling the bottom of their pant legs. You were a fashion-god if you could actually cut off your own circulation. And remember Girbaud jeans? Ya, I never had any. Outwardly, it was because who would be so stupid as to spend that much money at JMR for a pair of jeans. Inwardly, I just wished I made enough money working at the bakery to get a pair of jeans from JMR.
• Rugby shirts. Perfect pairing with the Girbaud peg-leg jeans.
• Overalls. Yes, my sophomore year was a quest to see how many ways I could wear my Guess overalls so it looked like I had more than the one pair. My 10th grade yearbook photo said it all: Camp Beverly Hills t-shirt and Guess overalls with just one strap clasped.
• Hippie Grunge. When actual cool fashion escaped you, it was a blessed relief to have grunge to fall back on. Birckenstocks and plaid shirts. What could be easier? And if you could pull off wearing leather slippers to school, you were welcomed with open arms into the granola crowd.
• Big Bangs. No journey through the horrors of our wayward youth would be complete with out a nod to the greatest hair trend of all time. It was a good time to own stock in hairspray companies. How high can you go? I know, you're all hoping for photos at this point. Well, it ain't gonna happen. Sorry, I'm all about a good laugh, but not at my own expense.

Now that we've got the ball rolling, what other incredibly bitchin' trends need mentioning?