Eighties Fashion and Big Covid Hair by @EdenBaylee

This is my first post of 2021 here, so I'd like to wish a Happy New Year to readers! 

When I was thinking of a topic to write, I came across a post on a friend’s Facebook page that made me laugh. 

The caption read: For the next time you think the 80s were cool. 

Yeah, it was the decade of big hair and outlandish fashion. 

The reason I found it funny was because I used to be a slave to fashion. My jeans had to sit above the waist, not below it. They couldn’t be too faded or too dark. They had to conform nicely around my butt and not cut off the circulation in my legs. I preferred the skinny fit over a baggy, loose pair, and if there were holes in them, they had to look as if they'd been ripped accidentally, not deliberately. The pressure of buying a pair of pants! 

I wanted "the look" with Jordache jeans. Didn't we all?

Looking back now, I pity my younger, insecure self. I was pretty shy in the eighties, and fashion gave me a sense of belonging. The eclectic style of the times embodied a mindset of “More and bigger is better.” I wore oversized blazers with shoulder pads, three-inch pumps, and chunky neon jewellery. Ironic, considering I dressed to fit in and not draw attention to myself. 

                                  

Hair for most Asian women is not big, and mine was no different. It fell naturally flat and straight as an arrow down my back—no volume, not a wave or curl to be found. My hair never took to home perms, so no bouffants for me. I did, however, experiment with hair curlers for a while. I mean, who didn’t, right? Accompanied by tons of hairspray and gel, these instruments of torture gave me curls that would last a few hours.

 

Problem was, it took the better part of a day to achieve the look. In the end, it wasn’t worth the hassle. 

All this preamble to say I'm relieved fashion no longer dictates what I wear; it hasn’t for a long time. Pre-Covid, I participated in fashion shows for charity or wore crazy outfits for Halloween, but that's the extent of it. Right now in Canada, it's cold and there's a pandemic. Holed up in the house with nowhere to go, I dress mainly for warmth. Most days, that means a tuque, scarf, jacket, leggings, leg warmers, and socks. Yes, I wear all of this in the house.

As for my hair … I finally got my wish. 

It’s big, and it's curly. 

Because it hasn’t been cut in over a year, it now falls below my waist. I wear it twisted up in a bun under my hat to keep it out of the way. I don’t wash it daily, and I’ve never been good at brushing it. When I remove my hat before going to bed, my hair sits atop my head like a giant beehive (think Marge Simpson). The other night, I shook it out and my husband burst out laughing. 

"You look like Medusa!" he said.

He may not have meant it as a compliment, but I took it as one. 

My big hair is four decades late, but I remain optimistic. Trends come and go, and by the time this pandemic is over, I might very well be in style again. 😉 

How are you doing? Any Covid fashion tips to share?

Hugs, 

eden 💜