Remember when getting ready for a date was an all-day event that required military-level planning and the coordination of at least three friends? The 1980s were a time when big hair was everything, MTV actually played music videos, and a night out could make or break your social status for weeks. Those butterflies in your stomach weren’t just from nervous excitement—they were from the sheer pressure of executing the perfect pre-date routine that would hopefully lead to holding hands at the roller rink or sharing a milkshake at the local diner.
1. Called Your Best Friend for a Three-Hour Strategy Session
The moment you hung up the phone after securing that coveted date invitation, your finger was already dialing your best friend’s number. These weren’t quick check-ins—these were marathon conversations that covered everything from what to wear to conversation topics that wouldn’t make you sound like a total airhead. Your parents probably threatened to take away phone privileges more than once during these epic planning sessions. Things may have changed quite a bit, but NPR has reports on a computer program matching a couple that’s still together that’s like something from today.
The strategy session included detailed analysis of your crush’s favorite movies, music, and hobbies, gathered through careful observation and intel from mutual friends. You’d rehearse potential conversation starters and plan witty responses to questions you hoped they’d ask. By the end of the call, you had a game plan more detailed than a NASA mission, complete with backup scenarios for every possible dating disaster.
2. Raided Every Store at the Mall for the Perfect Outfit
Shopping for date clothes in the ’80s meant hitting every store from The Limited to Chess King, trying on dozens of outfits while your friends offered brutally honest opinions. You’d spend hours debating whether the oversized blazer with shoulder pads made you look sophisticated or like you were wearing your dad’s jacket. The pressure was real because everyone at school would hear about what you wore, and fashion mistakes had serious social consequences. Malls may be a part of the dating experience again, as Smithsonian Magazine has traced a return of American malls and mall culture.
Your mom probably drove you to three different malls in one weekend, watching you agonize over whether to go with the safe choice or risk it all on something trendy. The final decision usually came down to what made you feel most confident, even if it meant spending your entire babysitting money on one outfit. Looking back, those neon colors and geometric patterns were questionable, but at the time, you felt like you could conquer the world.
3. Spent Two Hours Perfecting Your Hair Using an Entire Can of Aqua Net
Big hair wasn’t just a style choice in the ’80s—it was practically a religious requirement, and achieving the perfect look required serious dedication and industrial-strength hairspray. You’d wake up at dawn to begin the complex process of teasing, spraying, and sculpting your hair into a gravity-defying masterpiece. The bathroom would be foggy with Aqua Net by the time you were finished, and your hair could probably survive a hurricane. Glamour happily reports that Aquanet isn’t done keeping our hair styled for big dates, as it’s in the midst of a comeback of sorts today.
Your hair routine involved multiple brushes, a curling iron that could double as a weapon, and enough product to stock a small salon. You’d carefully study magazine photos of Madonna and Cyndi Lauper for inspiration, trying to recreate their iconic looks with varying degrees of success. The bigger the hair, the closer to heaven, as they said, and you were aiming for the stratosphere.
4. Applied Makeup Using Every Color in Your CoverGirl Compact
Makeup in the ’80s was all about bold choices and dramatic flair, which meant piling on the electric blue eyeshadow and hot pink blush with the enthusiasm of a Jackson Pollock painting. You’d spend an hour in front of your bedroom mirror, applying layer after layer of frosted eyeshadow that could be seen from space. The goal was to look glamorous and sophisticated, even if the end result was more reminiscent of a disco ball.
Your makeup collection probably included at least five different shades of frosted lipstick and enough eyeliner to draw a map of Texas. You’d practice different looks for days leading up to the date, taking Polaroid photos to document your experiments and get second opinions from friends. The final look usually involved enough product to require its own zip code, but you felt absolutely stunning walking out the door.
5. Mixed the Perfect Soundtrack on a Cassette Tape
Creating the ultimate mixtape was an art form that required careful consideration of song selection, flow, and timing to create the right mood for your evening. You’d spend hours listening to the radio with your finger poised over the record button, waiting to capture the perfect songs without the DJ talking over the intro. Each song was chosen for its potential to spark conversation or create a romantic moment that would make your date unforgettable.
The mixtape creation process involved multiple drafts and endless deliberation over whether “Heaven” by Bryan Adams was too forward or if “Don’t Stop Believin'” was too obvious. You’d test different combinations on your friends, analyzing their reactions to ensure maximum impact. The final product was a carefully curated 90-minute journey through the best of ’80s romance, ready to provide the perfect soundtrack to your potentially life-changing evening.
6. Practiced Your Signature Dance Moves to Duran Duran
Every teen in the ’80s had a signature dance move, and perfecting it required hours of practice in front of your bedroom mirror with your favorite albums playing at full volume. You’d study music videos on MTV for inspiration, trying to master the subtle art of looking effortlessly cool while moving to the beat. Whether it was the robot, the moonwalk, or your own unique creation, you wanted to be ready to impress when the music started playing.
Your dance practice sessions were serious business, involving detailed analysis of rhythm, style, and the all-important cool factor that could make or break your reputation on the dance floor. You’d recruit your siblings to be honest critics, even though their feedback was usually less than constructive. The goal was to look natural and confident, as if those moves just came to you spontaneously rather than being the result of countless hours of choreographed preparation.
7. Memorized Every Detail About Your Crush’s Favorite Band
Research in the pre-internet era meant scouring music magazines, album liner notes, and MTV interviews to become an expert on your date’s favorite musical artists. You’d spend allowance money on magazines like Tiger Beat and Rolling Stone, highlighting any mention of bands your crush had casually mentioned liking. The goal was to casually drop impressive knowledge into conversation, proving you were sophisticated and well-informed about music culture.
Your crash course in musical expertise often led to discovering new favorite songs and artists, expanding your own musical horizons in the process. You’d practice pronouncing difficult band names and memorize album release dates, preparing for any possible music-related quiz your date might throw your way. This intense preparation sometimes backfired when you accidentally revealed knowing way too much about an obscure B-side track, but the effort was always appreciated.
8. Planned Conversation Topics That Would Make You Sound Fascinating
Coming up with interesting things to talk about required strategic thinking and careful preparation to avoid those dreaded awkward silences that could doom a promising relationship. You’d read Teen magazine articles about conversation starters and practice telling amusing stories from your daily life that would showcase your personality. The goal was to seem naturally witty and engaging, even though every “spontaneous” comment had been rehearsed multiple times.
Your conversation preparation often involved researching current events, memorizing jokes from your dad’s Reader’s Digest collection, and preparing thoughtful questions about your date’s interests and hobbies. You’d practice different versions of stories with your friends, timing the punchlines and adjusting details for maximum impact. The pressure to be charming and interesting was enormous, but the preparation usually paid off in confident, enjoyable conversations.
9. Coordinated with Friends to Ensure Perfect Timing and Backup Plans
No ’80s teen went on a date without a comprehensive support network and detailed contingency plans that covered every possible scenario from wardrobe malfunctions to social disasters. Your friends would be stationed at strategic locations throughout the evening, ready to provide emergency assistance, alibis, or moral support via payphone if needed. The buddy system wasn’t just recommended—it was essential for navigating the complex social dynamics of teenage romance.
The coordination process involved detailed discussions about timing, meeting locations, and secret signals that could communicate everything from “this is going great” to “send help immediately” without alerting your date. Your friends would quiz you on your cover stories and help you practice graceful exits from potentially awkward situations. This network of support gave you the confidence to take romantic risks, knowing you had a safety net of loyal friends ready to help you through any dating disaster.
10. Rehearsed Your Phone Voice for the Inevitable Follow-Up Call
The post-date phone call was crucial for determining whether your evening out would lead to future romantic possibilities, so perfecting your phone voice required serious practice and preparation. You’d spend time in front of the mirror rehearsing different tones and inflections, aiming for the perfect balance of interested but not desperate, friendly but not overwhelming. Your phone voice needed to convey confidence and charm while hiding any traces of nervousness or over-eagerness.
The preparation included practicing conversations with your friends playing the role of your date, working through various scenarios and potential responses to different conversation directions. You’d time your calls carefully to avoid seeming too eager while not waiting so long that interest appeared to have faded. The goal was to sound naturally delighted to hear from them while maintaining just enough mystery to keep them wanting more.
11. Perfected Your Signature with Hearts Dotting the I’s
Practicing your signature was serious business because you never knew when you might need to sign an autograph book, yearbook, or love note that would be scrutinized by friends and potential romantic interests. The perfect signature required the right balance of legibility and artistic flair, often incorporating hearts, stars, or other decorative elements that reflected your personality. You’d fill entire notebook pages with different variations, seeking the ideal combination of sophistication and youthful charm.
Your signature practice sessions involved analyzing different pen types, experimenting with cursive flourishes, and determining the optimal size and spacing for maximum visual impact. You’d study the signatures of celebrities and older teens for inspiration, adapting elements that fit your personal style. The final version needed to look effortless and natural, as if you’d always signed your name with such artistic confidence, even though achieving that look required countless hours of dedicated practice.
12. Synchronized Your Bedroom Clock with the Radio to Time Everything Perfectly
Timing was everything in the pre-digital age, and ensuring all your clocks showed the exact same time prevented the social catastrophe of being late or, worse, being embarrassingly early to your date. You’d call the time and temperature number multiple times to synchronize your bedroom clock, watch, and any other timepiece you might consult during your preparation routine. Being fashionably late was an art form, but being actually late was a relationship killer.
Your time management strategy included detailed schedules for every aspect of your preparation, from when to start your hair routine to the precise moment you should leave the house to arrive at the optimal time. You’d factor in travel time, potential delays, and the all-important final mirror check that could make or break your confidence. This meticulous attention to timing ensured you’d arrive looking perfectly put-together rather than rushed and frazzled, setting the stage for a magical evening that could change everything.
Those Saturday nights getting ready for dates were just as memorable as the dates themselves, filled with anticipation, friendship, and the kind of optimism that made every possibility seem within reach. Whether the evening ended with a goodnight kiss under the porch light or an awkward handshake at the front door, the preparation ritual was a rite of passage that taught us about self-confidence, friendship, and the importance of believing in fairy-tale endings. Looking back, those hours spent perfecting our hair and practicing our dance moves were investments in hope itself, and maybe that’s what made the ’80s so magical—we all believed that the next big date could change our lives forever.
