And they have something to say.
Like it or not, our friends from the ’80s are coming back. It’s true, people. But before you write off this trend, it’s worth it to think about where it’s coming from.
And no, it’s not coming from the back door of Hades.
A bit of context
Fashion, particularly women’s fashion, is a reflection of the times we’re in. That’s why fashion historian is a real job. Fashion is innately political, which is one reason why I love it. It changes as our roles change, as our society reframes how it (unfortunately) labels people. Here I’m reflecting on westernized fashion in particular, so just remember that the scope of this post is not meant to be applied to every culture, everywhere.
After the First World War, for example, we began to see women’s clothes loosen, to allow for more movement. This came of necessity, as women had begun to fill jobs traditionally occupied by men. Away with the corsets of the Victorian Edwardian era, no more smelling salts, fainting couches, or whale bones. We needed to have freedom to hammer stuff, to drive tractors, to do heavy lifting. A corset wouldn’t cut it.
This led to the twenties, where women routinely wore clothing the exact cut and size of a burlap sack. But we could MOVE! And oh, the scandal! Ankles were showing, which had been a major no-no, but waistlines were hidden – which somehow was also a no-no. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t (women’s history in eight words, haha). But in any case, we gained the right to vote and the freedom to move.
It’s of little surprise that we see the shadow of the shoulder pad trend arise in the late 30s and early 40s as the Second World War began. Once again, our economic role changed – enter Rosie the Riveter, right? More men at war means more women in the workforce at home. I feel like the shoulder pad was a way of saying, “we do heavy lifting, too, you misogynistic ingrates just in case you noticed.”
Middle Fingers Locked and Loaded
Jump to the 80s, and we’ve gone through a few waves of feminism (and corresponding backlash). Now we’re in more positions of power and women are getting sick of being treated like a decorative vase at the executives’ table.
Enter The Shoulder Pad. I see it as a “fuck you” to the notion that women had to follow a certain feminine esthetic to be valued. There is a large part of me that’s straight-up pissed that women felt like that had to, in a way, ‘’masculinize” themselves to be taken remotely seriously. We all deserve to be taken seriously, regardless of where we fall in the gender spectrum and how we present. Ugggghhhhh so angry!
But in any case, it was a very polite middle-finger to the whole Mad Men Sexy Secretary trope. And I love giving a middle finger to a trope. That sounded …. strange. But you know what I mean, right?
Saddle Up those Shoulder Pads
… at least metaphorically
So here we are now, at the end of 2018, after Tarana Burke’s #MeToo Movement went viral, increasing awareness of intersectionalfeminism, and declaration of the Year of the Woman (or maybe not), and alllllllll thebacklash (fueled by Kavanaugh, Squee, Tobin, and a certainDJT).
And we’re dusting off those shoulder pads.
The beauty is that we don’t have to wear them in an attempt to be more “masculine” (rolls eyes at toxic masculinity everywhere) or an attempt to be “less feminine”.
Adopting shoulder pads is a way of saying that a “masculine” feature doesn’t have to be purely so; it can be anything we make it. Where you identify as a man, woman, gender queer, or whatever you know at your core you are, you have the right to say, “I’m here, I matter. And oh, look how strong my shoulders look. Look at them.
For me, I interpret them as getting yourself in an assertive position.
I may do this in heels and a crop top, but hey, that’s where individuality and not giving a crap if you’re too “girly” come into play. And deciding to find joy in all of it. Even if it’s joy at elevating your middle finger.
That’s a huge theme here at the blog – finding the courage to assert ourselves in our own life, however that may look to us as individuals.
And if you hate shoulder pads, then for God’s and Mother Mary’s sake, don’t give into the pressure to use them.
As for me, I intend on using them more and more.
What about you?
Love,
Stig.
PS. If this post hasn’t been forward enough, please, PLEASE VOTE in the midterms. Do it. YOU GOT THIS!
