Like zombies you locked up in your closet and tried to forget about, the fashion trends from the ‘80s have escaped from the depths and are now steadily creeping their way back to feed off your sense of style. The great news? You’ll gladly offer yourself up on a silver platter.

The collections at New York Fashion Week for Fall 2009 have daringly resurrected fluorescents, broad shoulders and extravagant tights. Hair is pulled back in tight and high pony-tails or elaborate buns. (Luckily they managed to put a silver bullet in mile high bangs and perms).

Marc Jacobs must have been among the walking dead as his collection for Fall 2009 reeks of the ‘80s. These particular tights are frighteningly similar to a pair of neon green leopard print tights that I used to wear while selling Kool-Aid on the street (although, they admittedly increased my sales by at least 20%). The color overdose coming at you from the runway may seem like a bit much, but each piece on their own is a stunning mixture of bold structured lines and bright fluorescent tones.


Pamella Roland makes the over-sized collar shirt work brilliantly by pairing it with a loose-fitting leather jacket and fitted dark denim jeans. Accessories are purposefully kept to a minimum – another ‘80s faux pas that some designers managed to steer clear of: “excess-orizing”.



Max Azria’s attempt at re-birthing broad shoulders for his Hervé Léger line miraculously pays off and actually manages to be extremely sexy (sure, partially because the dresses are extremely tight and short). The simple intricacies of the infamous bandage dress help give this look its perfect ‘femasculine’ feel.


Anna Sui, Alexandre Herchcovitch and Diane Von Furstenberg all embrace elaborate tights as part of their Fall collections. DVF stays true to the ‘80s and pairs her shiny grey tights with short grey leggings. Alexandre Herchcovitch adorns his tights with an array of sequins while Anna Sui sticks to her guns and prolongs the floral and paisley trend.



While with every new season there are numerous new trends; these were the ones that truly stood out. You can expect to see a lot of creative outfits for Fall 2009 as each individual is expected to be their own stylist, searching for their own identity. It’s up to you to use the ‘80s as best and tastefully as you can. And while I tell you not to be afraid of the ‘zombies’ emerging from your closet of yore, I must remind you that if one of them even comes close to resembling Cindy Lauper – run!

by Marayna Dickinson

All photos by Getty Images