The ’80s were a glorious time of excess, big hair, and neon everything. It was a decade where every trend felt like the most important thing in the world (even if it only lasted for six months). If you were there, you remember the thrill of sporting the latest fad and the heartbreak when it fell out of fashion. Let’s take a stroll down memory lane and see what happened to those iconic fads that defined your ’80s obsession.
1. Cabbage Patch Kids: The Dolls with Their Own Birth Certificates
Admit it—you (or someone you knew) begged for one of these soft, chubby-cheeked dolls. Each Cabbage Patch Kid came with its own unique name and adoption certificate, making it feel like you were getting a real (albeit fabric) baby. Fistfights broke out in toy stores as parents scrambled to get their hands on one. Today, Cabbage Patch Kids are still around, mostly in collector’s circles, but they’re no longer causing toy store riots.
2. The Walkman: The Personal Music Revolution
Before the iPod or the smartphone, there was the Sony Walkman. With your favorite mixtape loaded and those spongy headphones on, you were in your own world. The Walkman turned every walk to school or bus ride into a personal music video. Today, Walkmans are collectors’ items, and while cassettes are making a quirky comeback, most people are jamming to their tunes on streaming apps like Spotify.
3. Trapper Keepers: The School Supply That Was Also a Status Symbol
Every kid in the ’80s knew that showing up with a Trapper Keeper was a surefire way to start the school year off right. These colorful, Velcro-fastened binders with bold graphics were more than just a way to keep your notes together—they were a declaration of coolness. Where are they now? Well, Mead has re-released classic designs for those of us who want to relive our school days, and the retro nostalgia is strong!
4. Rubik’s Cube: The Puzzle That Drove You Crazy
Who can forget the frustration and satisfaction of twisting those little colored squares around, trying to get all the sides to match? The Rubik’s Cube became an overnight sensation, a must-have item that kept fingers busy and minds baffled. Whether you solved it or (more likely) peeled off the stickers in frustration, it was everywhere. Today, the Rubik’s Cube has had a resurgence in popularity thanks to speedcubing competitions and tutorials online. It’s even made appearances in movies like The Pursuit of Happyness and Pixels.
5. Leg Warmers: Because Your Ankles Should Never Be Cold
Who decided that ankles needed extra warmth? Blame it on the aerobics craze kicked off by Jane Fonda’s workout videos. Leg warmers weren’t just for the gym, though—they were a fashion statement, worn over leggings or jeans. Nowadays, leg warmers occasionally make a comeback in retro-themed workouts or fashion, but for the most part, they’re relegated to costume parties and the yoga studio.
6. Scratch and Sniff Stickers: The Smells of Childhood
Remember the thrill of scratching a sticker and being hit with the scent of strawberries, bubblegum, or popcorn? These stickers were traded like currency in elementary schools, with kids eagerly sniffing and comparing their collections. Though they’ve faded from popularity, scratch-and-sniff technology still exists, popping up in everything from scented children’s books to novelty gifts. It’s just that the thrill of getting a whiff of “pizza” or “skunk” isn’t what it used to be.
7. Jelly Shoes: Plastic Fantastic Footwear
Jelly shoes were the perfect blend of fashion and functionality—except for the fact that they made your feet sweat and gave you blisters! These colorful, see-through plastic shoes were a hit in the ’80s, pairing perfectly with everything from sundresses to swimsuits. They’ve made a comeback in recent years as a retro summer trend, but most people now prefer their footwear a little less sticky.
8. Friendship Bracelets: Knots of Connection
Braiding friendship bracelets out of colorful threads wasn’t just a way to pass time in class—it was a sign of who your best friends forever were. These simple bracelets, often exchanged as tokens of friendship, could take hours to make and were worn until they frayed off. Today, friendship bracelets are still a sweet gesture, though they’re often made with beads or more sophisticated designs. But nothing beats the nostalgic charm of those knotted threads.
9. Pac-Man Fever: Chasing Ghosts and High Scores
You couldn’t escape it—Pac-Man was everywhere, from arcades to lunchboxes. The simple but addictive game of maneuvering that little yellow guy through a maze, munching dots and avoiding ghosts, captured everyone’s imagination. Where is Pac-Man now? Still gobbling up dots! He’s found new life in app stores and on consoles, proving that some games really are timeless.
10. Shoulder Pads: Fashion’s Answer to Power Dressing
The bigger, the better—at least that was the rule for shoulder pads. Power suits and dresses with towering shoulders dominated the fashion scene, making everyone look like a linebacker. The fad eventually fizzled out, but shoulder pads have made a few subtle comebacks on fashion runways. They may never regain their former glory, but they’ll always be a reminder of a time when bigger was definitely better.
11. Mood Rings: Jewelry That (Supposedly) Read Your Emotions
Mood rings were the epitome of cool, mystical fashion in the ’80s. These magical rings, with their color-changing stones, claimed to reveal your emotions based on the temperature of your skin. Kids would watch the stone shift from blue to green to black, wondering if they were really feeling “calm,” “excited,” or “stressed.” Where are they now? Mood rings are still around, mostly as novelty items or retro-inspired gifts. While they may not be the emotional oracle we once believed, they remain a fun reminder of a time when we looked to our fingers for a little insight into our feelings.
12. Slap Bracelets: The Fashion Accessory You Couldn’t Resist
Slap bracelets were the ultimate playful accessory, made of a flexible metal strip covered in colorful fabric. You’d simply slap them against your wrist, and they’d curl around snugly. It was like magic! These bracelets came in a dizzying array of designs, from neon colors to cartoon characters, and kids everywhere collected them like currency. Where are they now? While they faced a decline due to safety concerns (who knew they could sometimes snap?), slap bracelets have seen a small revival as nostalgic items. You can still find them at novelty shops, reminding us of those carefree days of slapping our way to style!
The ’80s were a wild ride, full of trends that seemed like they would last forever. While some of these fads have stood the test of time or reappeared in new forms, others have faded into the hazy glow of neon nostalgia. Still, remembering them brings back that electric excitement of experiencing something totally new—and totally you.
