The problem I’m about to bring to your attention is a catastrophe of epic proportions. The plague of our campus and perhaps the whole of America comes in the form of see-through mesh shirts and consequently, the return of the 80s.
Many times this semester my eyes have been assaulted by the sight of a young lady donning a neon pink or green mesh shirt over an equally hideous matching bra. Was the mesh shirt necessary? Couldn’t you have worn just the neon pink bra since that’s all we’re seeing anyway?
Though this disturbing trend seems to be a new development, it’s not. If we rewind to two years ago we’ll remember that Jennifer Lopez wore a see-through mesh shirt with her Manolos in the “Jenny From the Block” video. But why did the Manolo boots take off so much quicker than the mesh shirts? Could it be that the boots were genuinely stylish while the shirt was a genuine faux pas, not to be taken to the extremes it’s reached today?
These shirts aren’t the only problem, however. They are indications of a larger issue that needs to be addressed and nipped in the bud. We’re all more or less children of the 80s but am I the only who remembers how terrible that phase of fashion was? Have you ever been watching “Coming to America” and found yourself thinking, “those poofy bangs, disproportionately large, geometric, plastic earrings and Tetris-print dresses with the shoulder pads are so cute!”
I didn’t think so. We’ve always looked back on the styles of 80s ashamed that we actually wore such things. So why are we compelled to wear them now?
It’s not everyone, now, but just the ladies. While some shoe companies have decided to bring back their classic men’s styles, i.e. Converse All Stars and Nike Air Force Ones, we have yet to see Sean John and Phat Farm introduce super-fitted, acid washed, tapered jeans and tight, Cosby-looking sweaters for men.
Don’t get me wrong. I fully support the return of the classic Care Bears and Strawberry Shortcake tees because they remind me of my childhood. But that in no way indicates that I want to start dressing like my childhood.
So the next time you find yourself contemplating whether or not to wear the see-through mesh shirt, think back to “Diff’rent Strokes” and “Saved by the Bell” and ask yourself if you want to be responsible for perpetrating the return of fashion trends like those. If you’re a good, decent American, the answer will be no and you’ll put the mesh shirt, neon leggings, biker shorts and triangular, rectangular, plastic earrings back into storage where they should stay for a very, very long time.
Marie Frasier, 20, is a junior English education student from Columbus, Ohio. She is the Opinions Editor and can be reached at famuanopinions@hotmail.com