Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
78 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
What clothing, hair styles, or make up are you glad disappeared? Mine choice is white lipstick and eye shadow. And you? (Original Post) debm55 Yesterday OP
Long johns under short-shorts. viva la Yesterday #1
Thank you, viva la. I am glad I missed that. debm55 8 hrs ago #36
Oh yes! get the red out 7 hrs ago #55
Shoulder pads! Ocelot II Yesterday #2
My Wife Loved Those! ProfessorGAC Yesterday #11
I loved shoulder pads! Freddie 9 hrs ago #33
Agree.Ocelot II. I really disliked. After awhile, I would cut them out. debm55 8 hrs ago #37
I have broad shoulders and shoulder pads made me look like a football player! kimbutgar 2 hrs ago #77
OMG there was some wacky stuff years ago. White lipstick was awful. The teased high hairdo wasn't good either. TommieMommy Yesterday #3
Thank you very much, TommieMommy. I forgot about the teased hair. Awful. debm55 8 hrs ago #38
Those absurd... GiqueCee Yesterday #4
Hey! I Wore Those! ProfessorGAC Yesterday #12
My recollection of them... GiqueCee 20 hrs ago #16
Hahahahhhahahhah. I remember them. Thank you GiqueCee for the memories. debm55 8 hrs ago #39
Eldridge Clever's penis pants. Brother Buzz Yesterday #5
Oh, THAT one wins! GiqueCee 20 hrs ago #17
This is for real? Hahaha, never heard of it. Talitha 18 hrs ago #18
Totally a real thing, and proof... Brother Buzz 18 hrs ago #22
lol - I do not remember ever seeing that before! TBF 18 hrs ago #20
Never having seen them, I think we're truly blessed. Talitha 17 hrs ago #23
HAHAHAHAHh. That is awful. Was that a thing back then? Thank you Brother Buzz. debm55 8 hrs ago #41
I have seen this picture before and I'm laughing so hard... 3catwoman3 1 hr ago #78
Teased hair, shoulder pads and bell bottoms Ritabert Yesterday #6
Thank you, Ritabert, I agree. But I see that bell bottoms are making a come back. debm55 8 hrs ago #42
From the 80s, feathered and layered hair on men MIButterfly Yesterday #7
Hahahahahaha. I agree MiButterfly. and perms for men. debm55 8 hrs ago #43
Spiral permed big hair in the 80s. Eee gad. Nanuke Yesterday #8
Hey, I had one of those! It made me so cool! AloeVera 9 hrs ago #34
I had a spiral perm. It was worth the money I paid for it. Perm didn't last that long. debm55 8 hrs ago #44
I got a spiral perm yesterday ms liberty 6 hrs ago #65
My original spiral was when i had hair down to my waist. Yes, it took a long time. and three people to unwind the spiral debm55 6 hrs ago #66
things I wish would come back ... my lost youth and corduroy jeans lol msongs Yesterday #9
Thank you very much. msongs. My lost youth, I agree with. corduroy jeans---didn't like the swish swish noise that they debm55 8 hrs ago #45
Hey I've got a pair of corduroy jeans on right now! Black ones. oberle 6 hrs ago #64
The one I WANT TO DISAPPEAR is still with us: those gawd-awful ridiculously oversized fake eyelashes! hlthe2b Yesterday #10
Thank you for sharing hlthe2b. I agree with you 100% debm55 8 hrs ago #46
Pale lipstick outlined with dark brown lip liner yellowdogintexas Yesterday #13
I agree with your list, yellowdogintexas. Nasty. debm55 8 hrs ago #47
Mullets CanonRay Yesterday #14
I still see a lot of Mullets around Pittsburgh. But not as much as I used to. There were men's and women's mullets. I debm55 8 hrs ago #48
Beehive hairdos. malthaussen 21 hrs ago #15
Agree I hated those. Thank you , Mal debm55 8 hrs ago #49
the blue eyeshadow we all wore in the 80s - lol TBF 18 hrs ago #19
Agree TBF. I see that bellbottoms are making a comeback. debm55 8 hrs ago #50
Oh Deb, you struck a gold mine with this one! Talitha 18 hrs ago #21
Thank you very much for the memories, Talitha. I wore the things for pads.UGH. Also wore the stirrups, body tops. and debm55 7 hrs ago #58
One of the hairstyles based on the pop-band N*Sync sakabatou 16 hrs ago #24
Oh yes, I remember, sakabatou. and sometimes they would tip the spikes. debm55 6 hrs ago #59
Sagging jeans to show off boxer shorts. Emile 10 hrs ago #25
Yes, so glad that they are gone. Thank you Emile, I hated those. debm55 6 hrs ago #60
Coca Cola bell bottoms GreenWave 10 hrs ago #26
HAHHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHHHAH. Those are terrible. Thank you for sharing with us, GreenWave debm55 6 hrs ago #61
Plaid or striped polyester pants MichMan 10 hrs ago #27
HAHAHAHAHHAHAH. Great choice, MichMan. And the shirts and neck chains that went with them debm55 6 hrs ago #63
those really weird stirup pants in the 1980's gay texan 10 hrs ago #28
Thank you very much for your selection. I did wear plain colored stirup pants.and bellbottoms. But I am glad they are debm55 6 hrs ago #62
There are two things I wish would disappear: The Madcap 9 hrs ago #29
Thank you very much, The Madcap. I agree with you. debm55 6 hrs ago #67
The 1980's. Entirely. Except Vans. OC375 9 hrs ago #30
Thank you very much, OC375 for sharing. debm55 6 hrs ago #68
Polyester clothing! Diamond_Dog 9 hrs ago #31
HAHAHAHAHAHH, Agree with you, Diamond_Dog. and thanks for sharing. debm55 6 hrs ago #69
polyester is still around. I can't stand it.... peacebuzzard 2 hrs ago #76
;-{) men's messy spiky haircut Goonch 9 hrs ago #32
I don't mind that as much as the "Bieber" happybird 7 hrs ago #54
HAHAHAHHAHAHAH, Agree. Thank you , Goonch.for sharing. debm55 2 hrs ago #71
1970's leisure suits Vogon_Glory 9 hrs ago #35
HAHHAHHAHAHa. You got that right. Thank you Vogon_Glory. hehehehhhehe Nehru jackets. debm55 2 hrs ago #72
Two things jmowreader 8 hrs ago #40
HAHAHAHAHHAHAHA. Thank you very much for sharing with us, jmowreader. LOL at the orange color corrector comment and the debm55 2 hrs ago #73
Flat top haircut - I got those in the 50s...my Dad was a Colonel in the Army and he thought walkingman 7 hrs ago #51
Great post, walkingman. thank you for sharing with us. debm55 2 hrs ago #74
Bras and girdles Walleye 7 hrs ago #52
HAHHAHAHHAHA. I remember those. Thank you so much for sharing with us, Walleye. debm55 2 hrs ago #75
The 80's poofy hair on women. no_hypocrisy 7 hrs ago #53
Thank you very much, no-hypocrisy. I agree. debm55 7 hrs ago #56
Skinny pants with men's formal wear happybird 7 hrs ago #57
HAHHAHAAHHAHHH. That is funny, happybird. Thank you for sharing with us. debm55 5 hrs ago #70

viva la

(4,606 posts)
1. Long johns under short-shorts.
Tue Apr 7, 2026, 03:51 PM
Yesterday

I remember some girls dressed like that when I was in college. I thought it made even gorgeous legs look like tree trunks.

ProfessorGAC

(76,827 posts)
11. My Wife Loved Those!
Tue Apr 7, 2026, 05:01 PM
Yesterday

Past tense is operative, though. She hasn't worn clothes with those for a very long time.
But, in the 80s.....

kimbutgar

(27,288 posts)
77. I have broad shoulders and shoulder pads made me look like a football player!
Wed Apr 8, 2026, 03:50 PM
2 hrs ago

And I was very slender then 105 lbs at 5’4!

TommieMommy

(2,935 posts)
3. OMG there was some wacky stuff years ago. White lipstick was awful. The teased high hairdo wasn't good either.
Tue Apr 7, 2026, 03:58 PM
Yesterday

GiqueCee

(4,339 posts)
4. Those absurd...
Tue Apr 7, 2026, 04:01 PM
Yesterday

... clunky-ass, thick-soled, high-heeled shoes for men in cartoon colors from the early 70's. Hands down and goin' away one of the dumbest "fashion" trends ever conceived. Anyone that bought 'em musta had their taste in attire surgically removed at birth.

ProfessorGAC

(76,827 posts)
12. Hey! I Wore Those!
Tue Apr 7, 2026, 05:04 PM
Yesterday

I had about 6 different colors, leather, suede & fabric.
Of course, when the glitterrock era ended, so did that footage choice.

GiqueCee

(4,339 posts)
16. My recollection of them...
Tue Apr 7, 2026, 09:39 PM
20 hrs ago

... may be colored by someone with whom I had a major disagreement. That confrontation did not end well for him. And I stepped on his shoes.

Talitha

(8,027 posts)
18. This is for real? Hahaha, never heard of it.
Tue Apr 7, 2026, 11:38 PM
18 hrs ago

Or saw it, thank heaven - I'd have gotten beat up for laughing at the dude wearing it.

I mean, seriously - this was a thing?

Brother Buzz

(39,958 posts)
22. Totally a real thing, and proof...
Tue Apr 7, 2026, 11:59 PM
18 hrs ago

Some political activists so never, ever become fashion designers.

3catwoman3

(29,468 posts)
78. I have seen this picture before and I'm laughing so hard...
Wed Apr 8, 2026, 04:04 PM
1 hr ago

...I'm snorting thru my nose. I wonder if they were difficult to get into, and did they come in different sizes? Inquiring minds want to know.

In 1974, I actually saw something very similar in the window of a sex shop in the Pigalle area of Paris (the famous red light district). It was made of a rubbery material and looked like a wetsuit.

MIButterfly

(2,812 posts)
7. From the 80s, feathered and layered hair on men
Tue Apr 7, 2026, 04:16 PM
Yesterday

There are not enough words in the English language to express the depth of the hatred I had (and still have!) for that hairstyle.

debm55

(60,933 posts)
44. I had a spiral perm. It was worth the money I paid for it. Perm didn't last that long.
Wed Apr 8, 2026, 09:42 AM
8 hrs ago

ms liberty

(11,258 posts)
65. I got a spiral perm yesterday
Wed Apr 8, 2026, 11:28 AM
6 hrs ago


But, my hair now is only about 5 inches long. I keep it permed because it's thick and very fine; and I hate having to mess with it. It's very wash, condition and wear. Total no fuss to it, unless I want to fuss with it.
When I was young in the 80's though, my hair was a long, glorious mane of deep chestnut curls. Over two hours to roll the perm, spiraled and piggybacking. My hair takes a perm well, and with the length I could get about 8 months out of one perm. I did not do the extremely big bangs or big hair - I had bangs but my style looked closer to the modern perm/curly hair looks, with volume and length but not height.
If I had the patience to grow it out, I might do it again, but it would be white.

debm55

(60,933 posts)
66. My original spiral was when i had hair down to my waist. Yes, it took a long time. and three people to unwind the spiral
Wed Apr 8, 2026, 11:42 AM
6 hrs ago

curlers. I went to the salon last year to get a regular perm and they said my hair was too fine. They dyed it instead, which. made it more low maintenance. Thank you for sharing ms, liberty.

debm55

(60,933 posts)
45. Thank you very much. msongs. My lost youth, I agree with. corduroy jeans---didn't like the swish swish noise that they
Wed Apr 8, 2026, 09:45 AM
8 hrs ago

made.

oberle

(370 posts)
64. Hey I've got a pair of corduroy jeans on right now! Black ones.
Wed Apr 8, 2026, 11:11 AM
6 hrs ago

I also have dark blue and brown. That's all I wear in cold weather.

hlthe2b

(114,050 posts)
10. The one I WANT TO DISAPPEAR is still with us: those gawd-awful ridiculously oversized fake eyelashes!
Tue Apr 7, 2026, 04:56 PM
Yesterday

Last edited Tue Apr 7, 2026, 08:46 PM - Edit history (1)

Uggh. Oh, and the equally disgusting, dagger fake fingernails.

After that, the skin tight tight tight (and not at all flattering) lycra-blue jeans and tights and leggings. Sure, anyone should be comfortable working out, but they must have a team of dozens to squeeze some of those "celebrity" women into the size they choose.

After that, ALL the ridiculous hair extensions that are so unbelievable. At first, some were well done and managed to keep them a bit below the shoulders to maybe the upper part of the back. Now, down to their waist. Good heavens. And you can clearly tell where the real hair begins and those end. Again, tastefully done (a realistic length) doesn't bother me, but everyone (seemingly) has them and they are just so OTT.

Unfortunately, they remain popular, especially among many younger women.


Old styles, yeah, the shoulder pads. But, really. Are any of the old outdated and silly trends half as ridiculous as those I just named popular now? Sorry, Gen-Z and Millennials, but those are not great trends.

yellowdogintexas

(23,713 posts)
13. Pale lipstick outlined with dark brown lip liner
Tue Apr 7, 2026, 05:07 PM
Yesterday

One of the strangest things I have ever seen.

Some things never disappear; I still see that combination occasionally.

Blonde women who wear pale lipstick.

debm55

(60,933 posts)
48. I still see a lot of Mullets around Pittsburgh. But not as much as I used to. There were men's and women's mullets. I
Wed Apr 8, 2026, 09:54 AM
8 hrs ago

did have a woman's mullet.

TBF

(36,780 posts)
19. the blue eyeshadow we all wore in the 80s - lol
Tue Apr 7, 2026, 11:42 PM
18 hrs ago

Although often clothing, hair styles, and make-up do go in cycles ... it's bound to come back again at some point!

Talitha

(8,027 posts)
21. Oh Deb, you struck a gold mine with this one!
Tue Apr 7, 2026, 11:55 PM
18 hrs ago

Hairstyles that were sprayed to the point of being like helmets. I was born in 1952 and remember Beehives and the 'Ann Landers' style - the one that looked like it had earmuffs. Oh, and let's not forget that godawful spray-style on Dump's mom... UGH!

In high school 'ski-pants' were the rage. They had stirrups that dug into the arches of your feet.

Let's not forget 'body blouses' - at least that's what we called them. Blouses with lower extensions that snapped closed in the crotch - VERY uncomfortable.

BTW, thank heaven for stick-on feminine pads. (Anyone old enough will know what we were forced wear before those godsends were invented.)

Platform shoes, too - I could go on and on.

debm55

(60,933 posts)
58. Thank you very much for the memories, Talitha. I wore the things for pads.UGH. Also wore the stirrups, body tops. and
Wed Apr 8, 2026, 10:57 AM
7 hrs ago

hair spray. And the Platform shoes. How could I forget the platform shoes.

sakabatou

(46,179 posts)
24. One of the hairstyles based on the pop-band N*Sync
Wed Apr 8, 2026, 01:40 AM
16 hrs ago

I forget who. He had short, spiky haircut.

debm55

(60,933 posts)
63. HAHAHAHAHHAHAH. Great choice, MichMan. And the shirts and neck chains that went with them
Wed Apr 8, 2026, 11:11 AM
6 hrs ago

gay texan

(3,223 posts)
28. those really weird stirup pants in the 1980's
Wed Apr 8, 2026, 07:51 AM
10 hrs ago

They always wore them with flats

Parachute pants

(I still think bell bottoms are cute)

debm55

(60,933 posts)
62. Thank you very much for your selection. I did wear plain colored stirup pants.and bellbottoms. But I am glad they are
Wed Apr 8, 2026, 11:09 AM
6 hrs ago

gone. Thank you very much for your selections.

The Madcap

(1,923 posts)
29. There are two things I wish would disappear:
Wed Apr 8, 2026, 08:09 AM
9 hrs ago

Extreme tattoos and shaved heads when a man can still grow hair. There is no need to try to look like a criminal or Nazi.

happybird

(5,397 posts)
54. I don't mind that as much as the "Bieber"
Wed Apr 8, 2026, 10:39 AM
7 hrs ago

with all the hair brushed forward. Made me want to punch people for looking so stupid lol!

Vogon_Glory

(10,303 posts)
35. 1970's leisure suits
Wed Apr 8, 2026, 08:55 AM
9 hrs ago

I thought they were ridiculous and far too trendy and would go out of style as fast as Nehru jackets.

And they are definitely out of style now.

jmowreader

(53,231 posts)
40. Two things
Wed Apr 8, 2026, 09:26 AM
8 hrs ago

First, the quarter-inch-thick layer of orange color corrector over your entire face that certain Republican politicians seem to like. That never looks good on anyone.

The other is not applying foundation below your jawbone. In the 1970s the women's magazines like Better Homes and Gardens would tell you not to put any foundation on your neck. My mother was a head librarian then, and her assistant used to do her foundation this way. Problem was, she always wore foundation too dark for her skin, so there was a definite line of demarcation between her face and neck. It looked awful, but the lady thought that's what it was supposed to look like.

The problem with white eyeshadow is using it like other shades. You just use a little dab of it on the inside corner of your eyes - it opens them right up. If you put it on the entire lid you look like you're going to the disco. White lipstick, on the other hand, never looked good on anyone.

debm55

(60,933 posts)
73. HAHAHAHAHHAHAHA. Thank you very much for sharing with us, jmowreader. LOL at the orange color corrector comment and the
Wed Apr 8, 2026, 03:26 PM
2 hrs ago

rest of your post.

walkingman

(10,915 posts)
51. Flat top haircut - I got those in the 50s...my Dad was a Colonel in the Army and he thought
Wed Apr 8, 2026, 10:08 AM
7 hrs ago

they were normal? A few weeks later it would turn into a "crewcut".

So glad when the Beatles came around and I could grow my hair out....I can still smell that "butch wax" (red wax stuff they would put on your hair to make it stand up).

happybird

(5,397 posts)
57. Skinny pants with men's formal wear
Wed Apr 8, 2026, 10:47 AM
7 hrs ago

I love red carpets and the skinny pants trend, especially with a tux, drove me insane. It lasted waaaayyy too long, as well. It looks top heavy, out of proportion, makes the feet look huge and just NO. The only ones I'll give a pass to are aging rockstars (Steven Tyler, Mick Jagger, or sad, old hair band guys).

debm55

(60,933 posts)
70. HAHHAHAAHHAHHH. That is funny, happybird. Thank you for sharing with us.
Wed Apr 8, 2026, 12:40 PM
5 hrs ago

Last edited Wed Apr 8, 2026, 03:40 PM - Edit history (1)

Latest Discussions»The DU Lounge»What clothing, hair style...