’80s deserve respect, not marketing

I was excited when I read John Calkins’ column on the overpriced trends of the ’80s. I was waiting to see if anyone else picked up on the amount of their money (or parents money) students are spending on shredded or ripped clothing. I too had an experience with overpriced “vintage” clothing.

A friend of mine purchased a pair of ripped jeans that cost her $45 from the California-based surf store turned prep known as Hollister (owned by Abercrombie). As a local surfer, I already detest the mockery of surf culture the store promotes, but to use the ’80s as an overpriced selling mechanism? It’s just wrong and Hollister is not the only one doing it. The ’80s were not about the clothing that could later be sold as overpriced jeans or “vintage” clothes, no.

As a child of the late ’80s and early ’90s, those precious years were the Ninja Turtles, Thundercats, Saved by the Bell, Converse All-Stars, Back to the Future, Indiana Jones and Rambo, not to mention some of the best old school surf and skate ever to be captured on film or in print. The best thing about the ’80s was the rock. Seriously, come on dude: AC/DC, Guns ‘N Roses, Aerosmith and Def Leppard to name a few. Do they mean anything to anyone anymore? Not to the poser walking into Hollister and paying way too much for “vintage jeans.”

If the ’80s are back, lets treat them with respect. And if that is not possible, then lets let the past go and move on to the next trendy American Eagle or Abercrombie clothing line. I personally took some sandpaper from a surfboard repair kit and shredded my own jeans. That cost me about $25. No one can tell the difference.

Think! Thanks John for the column. Jeans or board shorts, a T-shirt and sandals are all one needs. I’ll be there Monday at the Marshall Center to rip some jeans myself.

Matt Kunze is a sophomore majoring in engineering.