News, Reviews & Commentary on Gay and Bisexual Men in Entertainment and the Media

From shoulder pads to Manolo Blahniks: When Fashion Attacks!

To herald the arrival of NewNowNext Design, mama Logo's new style and fashion site, we thought we would look back at some of the most dubious fashion trends perpetrated by TV, movies, and music. Now, keep in mind that I'm one of those gays who has absolutely no fashion sense myself, so instead of calling these "bad" fashion trends, let's just call them ... "memorable".

Aerobics chic
As perpetrated by: Flashdance

The 1983 hit Flashdance gave us plenty to squeal about: the classic soundtrack, with Giorgio Moroder at his most 80's, the introduction of future L Word icon Jennifer Beals, and a fashion statement that would soon have millions of women showing up at the aerobics studio in leg warmers and ripped sweatshirts. Even Snoopy was a maniac on the floor, starring in the Peanuts special It's Flashbeagle, Charlie Brown.

$400 shoes
As perpetrated by: Sex and the City

They're just shoes. They perform the same function as my Payless Clearance Special, but for some reason they cost $400. I'm talking, of course, about Manolo Blahniks, the Holy Grail of Carrie Bradshaw and thousands of other sexy single girls. Who needs things like heat, and food, and shelter when you can spend a week's paycheck on an ugly, uncomfortable piece of plastic?

Men in pastels
As perpetrated by: Miami Vice

Pastels. I still see them in my nightmares. Miami Vice taught us that men can look like "Party Mints" and still be macho and tough! And that rolled up jacket sleeves never lead to permanent wrinkles, and no one ever has sweat stains in South Florida.

See more memorable fashion trends after the break!

Linebacker evening wear
As perpetrated by: Dynasty

Dynasty taught us many things ... campy catfights are a gay boy's best friend, never get married in Moldavia, and shoulder pads make strong, powerful women look like William "The Refrigerator" Perry.

Granny's attic dress-me-up-hooker chic
As perpetrated by: Madonna

 

When it comes to music, there have been plenty of (thankfully) short-lived fashion fads, from MC Hammer's parachute pants, to Britney Spears's catholic school girl, but no one has caused more girls (and some boys) to lose all sense than Madonna. Lace, oversize gaudy jewelry, corsets ... she looked like an explosion in Grandma's attic, and for some reason, it spread like a tacky rash around the world.

Ambiguously gay porn star chic
As perpetrated by: George Michael. Twice.

What were they thinking? What were we thinking? Before there was such a thing as metrosexuality, there was Wham!. Day-glo makeup, hair that didn't move in gale force winds, and those shirts. those shirts. Those shirts that caused endless debates over whether "CHOOSE LIFE" was an anti-abortion, anti-suicide, or pro-Mikey message. Afterwards, the Wham look morphed into the...

Faith-era George Michael had straight guys all over the world try on the "ambiguously gay porn star" look, but most guys couldn't get the stubble right, and ended up with a "seedy pervert at the bus stop" look. Tight blue jeans made a comeback thanks to George (and Debbie Gibson), but that also meant the continuation of the evil scourge known as ... acid wash.

This is just the tip of the iceberg, we realize. Anyone care to share their own least favorite trends and the sadistic celebs that foisted them upon an unsuspecting public?

  • snicks's blog
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  • afhickman's picture

    The Mulletia is now in retreat

    afhickman

    "It takes a village (to make Village People)"

    Thank God and male pattern baldness!  The '80s may not have given us the mullet, but they sure spread it around.  From John Stamos to Richard Dean Anderson--why didn't someone tell them?  And who could ever forget Yanni (shouldn't there be a "w" in there somewhere?), or Michael Bolton?  As much as we might want to, we can't.    We should all be grateful to Billy Ray Cyrus for finally coming along and showing the world what a fashion mistake the mullet truly was.  Of course, some people (including Bud Bundy) never got the memo:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZEggg_leMw    

    snoopypez's picture

    I just have to leave a

    I just have to leave a happy comment over the mention of Snoopy.

     :D


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