Today we bring you two ’80s Christmas commercials with the best of intentions. Remember, these were the days of innocence, when a grown man in a clown suit interrupting a children’s ice skating party in the middle of a deserted forest was more delightful than creepy, and when a stuttering doll operating a camera was more charming than terrifying.
’80s Southwestern Winter Fashion Finds
Hey there all you ski bunnies! On a recent trip to Urban Outfitters I was stunned to see that this year’s hipster winter fashion is all about ’80s Southwestern-style motifs! While certain colors (hello mauve and teal) have been intentionally eliminated, the trend seems to revel in an outdoorsy, rugged vibe, complemented by earthy colors with a hint of turquoise.
Mid-Week Match-Up: An ’80s Modern Living Room at Christmas
Today we recreate the look of Andrew McCarthy’s family living room from the 1987 film Less Than Zero. In this movie loosely based on the novel by Brett Easton Ellis (written when Ellis was only 21!), McCarthy plays Clay, a college student who returns home for Christmas break to discover that his close friends have been deeply affected by drug abuse and despair. OK, so you’re not going to see this one on the Hallmark Channel this season, but the decor is out of this world. Today we focus on the ’80s interior that served as the centerpiece of the film’s Christmas scenes. Here is the result….
A Lisa Frank-Inspired ’80s Christmas Tree!
Yesterday we focused on the sleek white and metallic Christmas decorations of the modern homeowner in the 1980s. Keeping the palette monochromatic provided a stark yet sparkly take on Holiday decor that was perfect for clean-lined dwelling spaces. Today we throw subtlety out the window with a child-friendly Christmas tree inspired by designer Lisa Frank, whose creations decorated many a school supply and sticker in the 1980s.
Pic Fix: An ’80s Modern Christmas
This week at Mirror80 we get into the Holiday spirit by revisiting ’80s seasonal style. Today’s images are brought to you by the 1987 film Less Than Zero, a haunting story of drug abuse and loss based on the book by Brett Easton Ellis. While the movie is far from the beacon of warm fuzzy Holiday fun, its breathtaking interiors provide us with a glimpse of posh ’80s winter decor. If you lived in a California mansion decorated by a cutting edge interior designer in the mid-late ’80s, perhaps your Christmas tree and centerpieces would look like this…
Friday Video Picks: ’80s Teen Commercials
We conclude our week-long focus on products and advertisements targeting ’80s teens with two commercials that celebrate all things bright and distracting! Let’s start with the following clip, an ad for Magic Girl perfume. In a fruity whirlwind of confusion, this piece puts the competition to shame with images of spellbound, obsessed teens. And some pretty wicked ’80s fashion!
Mirror80 Wishes You a Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving from Mirror80! Today’s visuals are courtesy of Etsy shop VintageStickerLove. The perfect ’80s Thanksgiving statement (a bit of Autumn plus a bit of glitter), these vintage leaf stickers from Stickopotamus showcase a variety of Fall hues. I’m also a fan of the shop’s profile, which recalls the memory of a lost sticker collection and the joys of rebuilding it piece by piece today. Because it’s never too late to revel in the simple pleasures of youth…
Mid-Week Match-Up: ’80s Teen Products Then and Now
This week Mirror80 has spotlighted teen grooming products from the 1980s in all of their shiny glory. But we’ve often wondered what happened to these multi-hued treasures. Are they still out there, or did their remains end up on the shelf of a TJ Maxx in the early-mid ’90s? You may be surprised by our findings…
Crazy for Caboodles!
Ladies of the ’80s yearned for oodles of Caboodles. Or maybe just one good one to stylishly carry their grooming products. These beauty organizers by Caboodles of California were packed with storage options, including pull-out trays in a variety of configurations. And of course, each case had a built-in mirror, the ultimate primping essential.
Pic Fix: 1980s Teen Product Ads
This week Mirror80 pays homage to the wonderful world of teen-targeted media. If you think ’80s graphic and product design had eye-catching appeal, you can bet design efforts were cranked up a few notches to grab the attention of teenagers. Imagine the set of Saved by the Bell, then imagine if it were edible. That’s right–teen products looked good enough to eat (which is a bit scary since many of them were drugstore items). Graphic designers packed advertisements with candy forms and colors. Here are a few of our favorites, taken from the November 1990 issue of Teen Magazine, starting with the ad for Malibu Musk, shown above.
