Back to the 1980s - Unbranded, Used Things

Photo Credit: Julia M. Cameron

U is for unbranded, used Things. Yes, it was important to wear Adidas Rome or Air Jordan sneakers in the 1980s, but the extent was nowhere near what young people expect today.

I feel like the 1980s, neon leotards aside, were still very much influenced by the 1970s and a slowly recovering economy. Most moms stayed at home, so there was usually just one income supporting the family. It was completely normal to hand down clothes, bikes, and toys. If you did not have an older sibling of the same gender, your mom’s network would somehow find a family with a child a year or two older, and you would wear their clothes.

Once you grew out of something, and it was still in decent shape or could be mended, it moved on to the next child. Today we would probably call that “upcycling” and feel quite proud of it. Back then, it was simply how things were done. Another staple was the children’s clothing exchange, often held twice a year in a parish hall. The fall one was especially popular, as it was the place to find ski clothes and equipment.

Looking back, what stands out is how practical fashion was. Clothes were meant to last, to be altered, and to be worn by more than one child. There were sturdy fabrics, adjustable waistbands, and yes, plenty of shoulder pads quietly making their way even into everyday outfits, giving even the simplest pieces a slightly grown up, structured look.

I probably had one “rich” friend who could regularly buy new clothes from the fancy boutiques. The rest of us were in the same boat, so we did not feel poor or uncool. Well, I did occasionally clash with my mom, who tried her best to convince me that certain pieces were perfectly fine when I strongly disagreed. But that is a story for another day.

I also remember that many families, though not ours, had sewing machines and actually made clothes themselves, adjusting patterns and fabrics to what they needed.

Without the fast fashion we struggle with today, that time feels, in hindsight, much more sustainable. Not as a trend, not as a statement, just as a natural way of life.

What do you think has changed more, our clothes or our expectations, and what was your most memorable “hand me down” item?