1. Aerobicizing in a Thong Leotard
It’s hard to forget the sight of brightly colored thong leotards layered over shiny leggings, especially when they were worn with matching sweatbands and leg warmers. Thanks to fitness icons like Jane Fonda and Denise Austin, we all jumped on the aerobics train, determined to grapevine our way to a better body in our living rooms.
But the reality was less glamorous. The leotards were wildly uncomfortable, the workout tapes were relentless, and the whole getup left you sweaty in all the wrong places. Not to mention the risk of accidentally flashing the neighbors while doing high kicks near the window. Most people retired those outfits after one VHS session and never looked back. Even the most coordinated among us questioned the decision as soon as the soreness set in.
2. Crimped Hair Catastrophes
Every girl who crimped her hair in the ’80s remembers the thrill of plugging in that zigzag iron and waiting for it to heat up. The goal was volume, texture, and something between a lion’s mane and a disco queen’s dream. It felt edgy and fashionable at the time, especially if you paired it with teased bangs and Aqua Net.
But the aftermath was a different story. Hair fried from the heat, impossible to brush out, and somehow still managed to look greasy by the end of the day. The worst part was trying to wash it and realizing your hair had transformed into a crunchy web of wire. Crimping might’ve looked good in magazines, but in real life, it was a beauty regret for the ages.
3. Slap Bracelets Gone Wrong
Slap bracelets were the ultimate playground accessory, and everyone had at least one—if not a dozen. With a satisfying snap, they’d coil around your wrist like magic, and the more obnoxious the color or pattern, the better. Kids would trade them like currency, and teachers would confiscate them just as quickly.
But then came the horror stories. The cheap metal inside would sometimes break through the fabric, leaving behind scratched arms and schoolyard injuries. Parents started banning them, schools followed suit, and suddenly these must-have toys became liabilities. They were fun while they lasted, but for many kids, the bruises weren’t worth the fashion.
4. Neon Everything
If you didn’t own a fluorescent green shirt or hot pink shoelaces, were you even alive in the ’80s? The neon trend was blinding in the best way, and it seemed like the louder your outfit, the cooler you were. Highlighters had nothing on some of the windbreakers and bike shorts walking around malls back then.
But once the glow faded (and you saw yourself in a photo), the regret was real. Neon was not kind under fluorescent lighting or on pale winter skin, and it clashed with, well, everything. Most people eventually realized that looking like a traffic cone didn’t quite scream “fashion-forward.” It was a fun ride, but most of us quickly toned things down after a few unfortunate snapshots.
5. Sun-In Disasters
In theory, Sun-In was a shortcut to beachy, sun-kissed highlights without an expensive salon trip. You’d spritz it on, head into the sun, and emerge looking like a California dream. It was especially tempting for brunettes who wanted a subtle lightening without commitment.
Instead, it often turned hair into a patchy mix of orange and straw. Instead of glowing highlights, you got brittle, brass-colored streaks that fried your ends and wouldn’t fade. And if you kept using it, your hair only got more damaged and unpredictable. Some of us are still trying to grow out the last remnants of that ill-advised summer.
6. DIY T-Shirt Cutting
Turning your oversized concert tee into a fashion statement seemed like a genius move. Whether it was fringe, slashes down the back, or an off-the-shoulder neckline à la Flashdance, we all grabbed the scissors and went to town. It felt rebellious and artsy, like you were making fashion your own.
Unfortunately, most of us weren’t exactly skilled seamstresses. One wrong snip and the whole shirt unraveled or fit like a soggy dishcloth. Sleeves became crooked, necklines plunged too far, and that cool fringe ended up uneven and sad. It didn’t take long to realize that maybe scissors and fashion should stay far, far apart.
