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Decades that don't seem to die
By Anjilee Harris
November 29, 2006 | You know you've
seen it -- that person who just can't seem to let go
of the past. It happens daily and no one knows why.
It seems there a compulsive need for some people to
hang on to a certain decade -- this is one of life's
great mysteries.
My own father has fallen prey to this idea that decades
can live forever. His hair is in a ponytail down his
back, classic 70's style. For years, my family has harassed
him to cut it because it is simply out of date, but
he refuses to. When asked why he keeps his hairstyle
this way, my dad said, "I like it, I think it looks
good. Plus, it is a sign of non-conformity. Why should
I have to look like everyone else?"
No matter what the popular opinion, certain decades
will never die because some people don't want to see
it end. Beauty advice expert Morgan
Hamilton, said, "I know my hairstyle will not be
a trendy hairstyle forever. But I do not want to change
it. I love my trendy hairstyle. I still think that it
is a trendy hairstyle."
These hairstyles seem to have serious staying power.
In a day of derbies, the mullet is another look that
seems to be immortalized by young and old alike. One
would think certain hairstyles would go out of style
after so long, but perhaps the attachment to a hairstyle
from long ago signifies the need to feel young again.
Ashley Averett, a sophomore in finance, said, "Some
people get stuck in a certain decade because that is
what they are comfortable with. They don't want to change
because during that era, they were in their prime and
having the time of their lives, so they are too scared
to leave familiar territory."
Another reason might be due to people having a hard
time letting go and fear change. Young teens now think
that '80s fashion is the in
thing and flaunt the leggings, mini-skirts, and
lace tops that were so common in the '80s.
Not only is there a revitalization of fashion trends
and hairstyles from previous decades, but the music
is also becoming popular again. Kristen Skordilis, owner
of the Kor
os Boutique in Chicago said, "Listen to all the
rap artists who are mixing '80s songs from Journey,
Def Leppard, and Styx into their work now."
Lately, local radio stations have also been playing
music from previous decades, with a younger generation
tuning in to hear the variety of songs. Today, young
children know who Poison, Def Leppard, and Aerosmith
are. Classic music from previous decades will always
have staying power, but what is this obsession with
the styles and trends?
Perhaps some thought once a fad had gone, it would
stay gone, but that doesn't seem to be the case in a
world where past decades are the icon of cutting-edge
fashion. This fashion movement isn't so cutting edge
if it has already come and gone, it is simply a regurgitation
of past influences trying to become cool again.
So, the obsession with other decades will perhaps
never come to an end, with those specific people holding
on to a previous dream from a previous decade. This
phenomenon may never be explained. Each person has a
different reason for holding onto decades. For some,
it is anti-conformity, for others, simply the attitude
that they liked that decade and how they looked then
so they don't want to change. Whatever the reason, music,
trends, or hairstyles, the outcome is clear: some decades
will never die.
Decades will come and go, but in the end, holding
on to them will be back in style.
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