Well, it’s that time of year again. The semester-long research project you haven’t started is due next week, finals are looming and Zoom meetings are getting more grueling as the springtime birds chirp tauntingly from outside your window. Summer can’t come soon enough, but we still have a few tiresome weeks to trudge through.
Why not travel back in time for a minute and distract yourself from that all-too-distant finish line? This Friday is ’80s night in my apartment, and I encourage you and your roommates to do the same. Here is a step-by-step process to help you achieve that “gnarly” ’80s feel.
Step One: The “Fit”
If you’re going to do this right, you’ve got to look the part. Luckily, this decade leaves you with several styles to choose from. I happen to be partial to the jazzercise look, which takes about three seconds to put together: just grab a tank, some leggings and cut the toes out of your least favorite pair of fuzzy socks for makeshift leg warmers. Or at the very least, put a vibrant top with some light wash jeans together.
If you want to achieve the classic big-hair look, you can visit this tutorial here. Finally, there’s makeup. Based on my research, ladies of the ’80s went hard with the blush, used vibrant eyeshadows and lip tints and put dark liner on their water lines.
Step Two: The Ambiance
Now that you’re all dressed for the occasion, you need to bring your environment up to speed. I set the striplights in my apartment to flashing colors, replaced plain white bulbs for black lights, and drew retro blue and purple squiggles on white paper cups. Spotify and Apple music have plenty of rocking ’80s playlists, but I recommend this one.
P.S. Don’t forget to fuel up with some classic ’80s snacks: cheese and crackers, Twizzlers and pizza.
Step Three: The Fun Part
Now that your costume is on and the stage is set, the real fun can begin: It’s time to dance. I don’t know about you, but since watching “13 Going on 30,” I’ve always wanted to learn how to do the “Thriller” dance. Here’s your chance, with a tutorial to set you up. If straight-up dancing isn’t your thing, you can always do a virtual Jazzercise class with your pals.
Alright, folks, that’s all I’ve got for you. Hopefully this blast from the past helps you get out of that late April funk.
