Take, for example, the newest addition to Fox's TV lineup: That '80s Show (Wednesday, 8 p.m.), a sitcom that treats '80s culture in a satirical sense. In this takeoff on the hit series, That '70s Show, the events, fads and flavor of many current college students' childhood are showing up as fair game for fun and laughs.
It's all part of a pop culture phenomenon that, according to English instructor Kristin Jacobson, is all about how the here and now relates to the past.
"One of the critiques of a truly postmodern society, is that it's all about recycling and pastiche, rather than creating something knew," said Jacobson, who teaches American Studies 105 (American Popular Culture and Folklife).
"If you think about it, pop culture really makes do with what's there and finds a way to use it."
And one place where '80s influences are being used is in the fashion world. Shelley Banker, owner of the vintage clothing store The Rag and Bone, 220 S. Allen St., said that she's selling a lot of tight designer jeans, off-the-shoulder and one-strap tops, and concert T-shirts from bands that were popular in the '80s.
In addition to this everyday wear, Banker also said the store has been selling and renting quite a bit of items off its "Totally '80s Rack" for theme parties. Banker tries to stock fun items that she said represent the "new wave or Madonna look."
"To be honest, it's a little more of the party crowd looking for wacky fun stuff to wear to parties," she said. "The other things, at new clothing stores you can buy them new, and restyled a little bit."
That's because the latest winter and spring
collections have a heavy '80s influence, from the return of skinny heels on shoes and boots to the arrival of restyled ruffly blouses and tiered skirts.
But, whether it's for everyday wear or a one-night event, there's a market for '80s-influenced clothing in State College. Players Nite Club, 112 W. College Ave., features an "'80s Night" every Friday, while many fraternities host parties with themes tailored to a decade Penn State students seem to remember well.
Meghan McLaughlin (junior-biobehavioral health), a member of Delta Gamma sorority, recalls dressing up for one such fraternity party.
"I thought it was a great idea," McLaughlin said. "I love theme parties, especially an '80s theme because I love '80s music."
And apparently she's not alone. Music is another driving force behind the '80s revival, and CD compilations featuring hit songs from the decade are widely available and sell fairly well, according to Sara Larios, head clerk at Mike's Music, 226 E. College Ave. Larios also said many of the decade's alternative sounds — from The Cure to New Order — are still popular.
In addition, she said several current acts are incorporating '80s influences into their newest recordings, indicating that recycled sounds are being used to create new music in the same way fashion has reinvented old styles.
Lazio specifically points to the new No Doubt album, Rock Steady, which she says has a dance sound that reminds her — and many of the customers she has encountered — of '80s music.
"For a while there, people were going back to the '60s sound, and then the '70s sound," she said. "Now more bands are going back to the '80s and that synthesized keyboard sound."
It's all part of a cultural process that happens over and over again for unexplainable reasons, Jacobson said.
"One thing that's interesting to think about with this is what the '80s represented," she said. "We have to think about why we might be interested in returning to that era right now."
But, while Jacobson said reasons for embracing the fads and trends of the '80s may vary — from a hope for a return to economic prosperity to a longing for the comforts of childhood — one thing's for sure.
They're back.
Or maybe they just never went out of style.
