Which Decade Defines You?

We all have a decade that defines us. Usually it's the one in which we 'came to age' whether that be in high school or college or later. But it can just be our favorite decade. Maybe we'd like to return to that time in our life when we were happiest, or when the future still lie ahead, shiny and bright. I often think my the eighties were my favorite decade, simply because I was in my thirties. Still young...not forty yet, with all the kids still home. (Distance provides a rosier glow over the chaos that reigned juggling five young kids, teaching, and a husband!)

Of course, the eighties didn't have a lot to offer in fashion. Remember the long shirts with the colored leggings to be worn beneath? Some fashionistas have decreed that the style should make a comeback, but that wasn't a good look the first time around! It was the decade of big bangs, perms, The Police, Ronald Reagan, The Brat Pack, The Culture Club, The Chill, Hill Street Blues, The Wonder Years, Chernobyl, the explosion of the Challenger, U2, Lethal Weapon, and Die Hard.

What do you think, were things better in the sixties? Rock n' roll was changing the music scene. Mini-skirts, go-go boots, bell bottoms and tie-dye were the fashion tragedies of the day. Beehive hairstyles or long straight ironed hair presented a wide choice. Big bright flowers dominated the prints on fabrics. Doo-wap music, Brenda Lee, Bobby Vee, Del Shannon Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young and the Beatles formed a wide range of musical talent. The decade also brought us the bikini, muscle cars, peace and love, hippies, flower power, Woodstock, Nehru jackets, long sideburns, the Civil Rights movement and the Vietnam War.

The 70s were my high school days and I gotta say, I thought the styles were a bust. So when they started bringing them back when my daughter was in high school, I winced. I did rise in her estimation, however, when she learned that I had once been the proud owner of a suede jacket with fringe hanging from it. She was crushed to learn that it wasn't still in my attic. We had Simon and Garfunkle, Bread, Chicago (still one of my favorites), Phil Collins, Jim Croce, Elton John, Gordon Lightfoot, Don McLean and Olivia Newton John. We watched My Three Sons, Happy Days, The Mod Squad, Mannix, Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In, Mary Tyler Moore, All in the Family, Mash and Charlie's Angels. Bell bottoms were still in, as were plaid pants for men (snort) with heeled shoes. The pant legs were still wide and hip huggers with wide belts were standard wear. It was the decade of the platform shoes for women, and I'm surprised I didn't sprain an ankle, because I've never been known for my grace and agility :) In the 70s Nixon was done in by Watergate, the Vietnam War ended, the man from Georgia became our president, there was a meltdown at Three Mile Island and sadly, the Kent State Massacre.

As for the nineties...geez, weren't they just last week? I think I'll stop there. If the 90s were your defining decade, all I can say is you are still a fetus :) But know that you'll look back in twenty years and wonder, "what was I thinking???" when you see pictures of yourself!

What's your defining decade? Do you have a decade that is your favorite, one that you'd like to go back to?