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Bring Back These Old School Trends

Throwback Thursday. The day when everything old is new again. Everyone loves to see pictures of other people before we knew them, before they were cool, or just before they realized that their hairstyle was out of style- especially when the other people are celebrities. Instagrammers can see anything from snaps of Gigi Hadid blowing out candles on her Lakers themed 11th birthday cake, or Taylor Swift at 12 going through her “braids phase.”

Why is it that people love pictures from the past? Research from the University of Southampton found that nostalgia “fostered social connectedness, which subsequently lifted self-esteem, which then heightened optimism.” So with the aim of increasing positivity, let’s look at some old school trends from the past that we want to see again.

School Supplies

The Mead Trapper Keeper
What ever happened to the Trapper Keeper, that loose-leaf notebook with the velcro closures? It held all your class notes, plus had some really cool laminated covers, from Superheroes to unicorns.

Multipoint Pencils
Remember the multi’ point or “push” pencils with the miniature pencil point cartridges? When the lead ran out, you just put the cartridge in the back of the pencil and the next one would slide out of the front. Of course, if you lost one of the points, it became a little difficult to work the pencil.

Rubber Cement
Rubber cement was alleged to stick together anything from wood to constructions paper by dipping the brush (attached to the lid, so you couldn’t lose it.) and applying it to anything you wanted to attach to anything else. Of course, that often meant gluing your fingers together in the process or just letting the product dry up and sort of stick to itself.

Fashion

Drop Crotch Pants
It seems like every boy band in the 80’s were wearing parachute pants, made out of that silky fabric that whistled when you walked. Well, the drop crotch is back and droopier than ever, as you may have noticed on the likes of Kanye West and Justin Bieber, often topped with athletic shorts to complete the fashion statement.

Power Suits
Sharp shoulders, loose pants and a whole lot of swag. In the 1980’s Men and women, from the likes of Don Johnson to Bianca Jagger and Grace Jones effortlessly sported these. Now we can see the power suits resurgence on the everyone from Selena Gomez to the lovely Georgia Jagger.

Crop Tops
Madonna was bearing her midriff way back when she was still a virgin! (or like one.) She’s still doing it today, along with fellow celebs Rhianna and Taylor Swift.

Fast Food

Wendy’s Super Bar
Who doesn’t love unrestricted access to nacho cheese sauce? Maybe not the freshest of fare, but we still miss the chocolate pudding.

The Macdonald’s Pizza
How bad can a pizza be? If you’re one of those who will not eat a pizza that was not made by an Italian, don’t even try to find out. Good-bye, McPizza!

The McDLT
The “hot -side cool- side burger was the first to acknowledge that warm lettuce and tomatoes may not be the tastiest option. Jason Alexander (a.k.a. George Costanza) was in the commercial; unfortunately, not even he could make it stick.

When it comes to nostalgic items that should, or shouldn’t make a comeback, we know we haven’t even cracked the surface. What items do you think should or shouldn’t come back? Let us know!

Red sneakers

Best Shoes For Everyday Use

When choosing an everyday wardrobe, practicality, comfort and style are all key issues, especially when it comes to footwear.  Your feet are an important part of your mobility, and wearing an uncomfortable pair of shoes can really ruin your day, and in some cases, even lead to long term damage. But what should you be looking for in a shoe, and which styles and brands are recommended? Read on to find out.

“The main things you want to look for in an everyday walking shoe are responsive cushioning, breathability and lightweight construction”, says Riley Jones, a writer specializing in sneakers and style. He goes on to recommend several brands of lightweight, supportive athletic sneakers. These include the SpeedForm Appollo model from Under Armour, one of the first ‘sock-like shoes’ that feature an anatomical outsole designed to cater to the movement and structure of your foot. Also making the cut is the Adidas Ultra Boost with its Boost cushioning and primeknit upper, and the Nike Flyknit Racer, one of the most lightweight sneakers around.

If you’re looking for options outside of the athletic sneaker category, look at alternatives such as the Crocs Women’s Alice Mary Jean Flat which provides enhanced support and a non slip sole. They are good quality and odor resistant. If you are looking for a stylish sandal, try out the Ecco European Strap Dress Sandals. They have a thicker cushion sole that offers extra support and cushioning as well as being very lightweight.

Those searching for everyday styles for men can look at the Ecco Men’s Chander Classic Sandal which features a criss-cross upper ankle strap for extra support and comfort. They also offer a cushioned sole with excellent durability. Men looking for a slightly dressier look might consider the Clarks Men’s Armada Spanish Loafer. The shoes are made of leather with a man-made sole, mesh linings and a removal footbed. They also offer shock absorbing support which provides traction and durability.

At the same time, you should stay away from shoes where the heel is higher than the toe. While high heeled dress shoes are an obvious no-no, there are also athletic shoes which encourage the wearer to land on the heel of the shoe when walking and running. This alters the natural step and posture and can result in long term damage to joints in the feet, knees and hips.

To this end, look at shoes like the New Balance Minimus. These offer a minimal cushion and support with no positive heel so the wearer gets the effects of being barefoot. A more everyday option might be Toms brand shoes. While not ideal for working out, the shoes also do not have a positive heel. They offer a minimal cushion while being stylish and comfortable. Also making the list Earth Runners. These shoes are made by hand according to your foot trace to get a perfect fit. They also offer a non-cushioned, minimal sole and added copper grounding elements.

Woman looking in the mirror

How to Cultivate Your Personal Style

Think you were born without the fashion gene? Think again. You’ve already got a personal sense of style, you just may not know what it is yet. The following five tips will help you narrow down what really makes you feel like your best self and how to build a wardrobe around these elements.

Start an Inspiration Board
Looking to celebrities and fashion icons can be a helpful tool when it comes to trying to determine just what your personal style really is, but the chances of having just one person represent everything you love about fashion is pretty slim. Head to Pinterest and start a board that contains celebrities, fashion icons or just general outfit ideas that you really love and are attracted to. After a while, you will begin to see trends across your board which can help you determine who to look to for inspiration and what the basic elements of your wardrobe should be.

Clean Out Your Closet
Once you have some ideas about the fundamental pieces that your ideal closet should have, go through your current closet and see what items you already have and what items don’t fit with the look you want to achieve. Plan to donate or sell any items that no longer fit or that you haven’t worn in the last six months or so. The more you refine your closet, the easier it is to build a wardrobe that contains only those pieces that really inspire and excite you and that reflect your personal sense of style.

Shop Smart
When you’ve thoroughly gone through your closet and cleaned out items that no longer fit, that don’t mesh with your personal style or that haven’t been worn in six months, you can start introducing pieces that do fit your style into your wardrobe. When it comes to buying clothes a good rule to follow is quality, not quantity. Invest in classic pieces like a great pair of leather boots or the perfect little black dress because these items will last and are great essentials. Shop at stores like T.J. Maxx or Forever 21 when you want to experiment with trendy pieces. This allows you to still play with the most recent trend without dropping a lot of money on items that may not really reflect your personal style.

Woman taking a selfie.

Snap a Selfie
As you begin to build your closet with pieces that you really love, it’s easier to get a bit more creative about how to wear these items. Some days, you walk out your door just oozing confidence and feeling like a million buck and when this happens, take a picture of your outfit, accessories, hair and makeup. These pictures are the epitome of your personal style and can serve as inspiration for more spin-off outfits or they can help you put together an outfit when you’re feeling less than inspired.

Consider the Whole Package
Your clothes are only one element of your personal style; you still have hair, makeup and accessories to play with. Add a signature piece to your closet. Audrey Hepburn had cropped pants, Jackie O. had her amazing sunglasses and Taylor Swift has her red lip. Look at the clothes you own and consider what element will work with your wardrobe in its entirety then try it out.

It can be difficult to part with clothes in your closet, but you will feel so much better once your closet contains only those items that really make you feel like you. Have fun experimenting with different pairings and use accessories to help each individual outfit stand out. Cultivating your personal style is all about making you feel like the most gorgeous and confident version of yourself possible and the five tips we mentioned will help you to find your own sense of style.

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