Favorite Things From My Teenage Years

I’ve been feeling nostalgic lately, thinking about some of my favorite things I miss from my teenage years. I think this wave of nostalgia is due to several reasons. First, I just finished watching Stranger Thingswhich is set in the 80s. The music, fashion and general atmosphere took me back to those years.

And another reason is my birthday is next week. So again, here I am wondering how time flies so fast. It felt like I blinked and fast forwarded to now—yes!

Anyway, I thought I’d get nostalgic and ask you to share some of my favorite things I loved back in the day. Thank you so much for being here!

Favorite Things From My Teenage Years

Levi’s 501s

Oh man, I don’t know if it was the jeans I wanted or the guy in the Levi’s TV commercial—maybe both. My first paycheck (yes, I really got paid by check) went straight to a pair of faded 501s, and I wore them until the knees caved in… and then I felt cooler. 😂

Impulse Spray

In high school, most of us kept a can of Impulse spray in our lockers to freshen up between classes. I think my favorite scent is called Dancing Queen. I remember the cap was pink. They still sell Impulse, and a few years ago, probably around my birthday, when nostalgia hit, I bought a can, but I couldn’t stand the smell. Not even as a bathroom spray.

Dolly Magazine

Ah, Dolly magazine. Every Australian teenage girl must have had one in the 80s. I love reading every new issue, looking at fashion, taking quizzes, etc Answer the Top 10 Questions to Know If He’s Thinking About Youcatching up on celebrity gossip, and rounding up some of my favorite boy band posters, pop stars and TV heartthrobs. Rob Lowe was my teenage sweetheart. Despite featuring overseas stars, Dolly is Australian, printed and sold here. Unfortunately, it stopped being published in 2016.

Swatch Watches

I had to wait for my 15th birthday to get one of these and I chose the gray one with faint colorful stripes on the dial. Haha, always a minimalist when it comes to bright colors, even back in the day. I really wish I had kept it, but I didn’t. That’s the downside of decluttering, sometimes you throw away good things. But then again, what would you do if you kept everything? I feel like I’m going in circles here.

Coke in a Glass Bottle

I think Coke in a glass bottle tastes much better, even today. They’re not as common as they used to be, but I treat myself to a glass every once in a while. I just remembered I forgot to order it with my grocery delivery that arrived today. Boo!

Ray Ban Musafir

After years of wanting a pair, I think I finally bought a prescription one in 1987 or 1988, and I still have it and still wear it sometimes. Hooray!

Shoulderless Top

Remember Flash dancewhen did Jennifer Beale wear off-the-shoulder sloppy joes (we call them sloppy joes here)? I really want it! The same year the film was released, we had a Textiles and Design assignment at school to make a sloppy joe. Not Flashdance style, but appropriate. I was very slow in class, and since we didn’t have a sewing machine at home (my mother didn’t like to sew passionately), I never finished my work and didn’t get around to sewing the ribbing around the neckline or sleeve cuffs. So, I accidentally got one that was really similar to the one there Flash dance. I was failing the class, but I liked my boss!

Big Hair Accessories

Scrunchies are all the rage, but I don’t really wear my hair in a ponytail. On the other hand, I love Madonna-style hair ties with big bows. As long as I don’t tease my hair too much, because my mom says only naughty girls have hair like that, I can wear a headband.

Well, I guess that sums up some of my favorite teenage memories of the 80s. I’m sure I’ll remember a dozen more as soon as I hit publish, but for now, I’ll try to treat myself to Swatches and some faded 501s. I never really know what to ask for my birthday, but I think this year, some classics are a great choice.