For men, sports and their hobbies like cars, motorcycles, golf are often what they think about all the time. For women, it’s simple, shopping is our big escape. (Women aren’t simple, it’s shopping that’s simple). Nothing wrong with shopping (thank goodness). But the real question becomes, when does shopping become too much!? And too shallow?

As with most things, there are two extremes and usually somewhere in the middle is the best balance. For me, I know that when I wear a top or pants that fits well or an outfit that is very stylish… or even better, a new outfit… I feel prettier about myself. It goes beyond the clothes. It’s like when you put a little bit of blush on, it just makes you feel prettier and more alive. Hey, my thoughts are this: if you can feel better about yourself without causing harm to others, then why not?

These days in Raleigh, I kinda like to have my own style. A few years after the turn of the millennium, I packed my bags and stuff and came to the Triangle. Do you remember the big worry of the computers possibly not adjusting to the ‘00? For that new year’s, I bought a cheesy polyester dress, the kind you find at a boardwalk shop that had “Y2K” all over it! I was just being in the moment!

But normally, I like to really mix and match textures and add colors and accessories. As you get older (and wiser ), you get more bold, and don’t really worry or care too much about what other people think or what ‘clique’ you belong to and those mind consuming activities in your teens and 20’s. That’s how we grow…oh boy, I sound like I’m 80 years old! Anyway, I’m NOT 80…and I hardly ever wear skirts any more. They’re just not very functional and I just the like the look of a tailored boot cut pant (it always so strange saying pant like you’re referring to one leg or half the pants). I like capris too (the modern day highwaters…remember those?). Short pants officiate spring for me. OH, by the way, Happy First Day of Spring! I already got a head start with putting away my heavy sweaters. There were only two of them …but hey, you know it is the warm south here.

Yesterday I indulged on 80’s fashion styles. The 80’s will always have a very special place in my heart…I smile just thinking about it. I sure do miss those MTV and VH1 video days…it’s just not the same with their ah-hem — modern day replacements like ‘MTV Cribs’ and reality shows like ‘Run’s House’ or ‘Keeping up with the Kardashians’ (I don’t even know what channel that’s on?  I should start my own show …’Keeping up with Brandy’…LOL). But it’s true, as an adult isn’t it hard sometimes to keep up with your own life???… so why for sane’s sake do I wanna get sucked into their Hollywood melodramedy? I know…I’m just bein’ sarcastic…I know it’s funny and it makes you appreciate your own life…yeah, in a sick twisted sorta way . But really, whenever I turn the tube on, it seems there’s yelling and it’s the KKK clan… Kim, Khloe and the other sister… is it Kooky? I mean they’re always whining and cat fighting about something …dialogue like, ‘why can’t you buy another car instead???!!!!…I wanted the Bentley!!!! I-III just want to cry (but then I’d mess up my mascara)!!! I’m NE-VVER gonna forgive you…E-VVVER!!!!’ He-LLLllo…well why can’t you all just get a clue??? 3 words — Poor Bruce Jenner.

This is my 2 or 3-part series (we’ll see how it goes!) about looking back at fashion through the decades I actively participated in. Starting with the good ‘ol 80’s.  Whoaa… can you believe that’s around a quarter century ago!

But, while I didn’t grow up in Raleigh, I did grow up at the malls. So I share that in common with a lot of you.  I sure did shop a lot. Gosh, I can’t believe it all started with the 80’s…what happy, fun times!  By the way, that’s me in the photo just a few years ago.

When I was a teen in the ‘burbs (of DC) in the 80’s, there were a handful of places to shop. But the BIG BRAND names were ESPRIT, Benetton, Guess and the Limited. Oh and you wouldn’t be caught without a brand name. That would be so un-cool!