Okay, we have a winner of our ugly fashions of the 1980s poll (see bottom of page for detailed results). Spandex workout clothes, a la Olivia Newton-John's 'Physical' gave these shiny pants a run for their money, but it looks like the parachutes won. Here I have a photo courtesy of Flickr user Tim Roe.
When searching for a good photo of these much maligned pants, I had a difficult time and actually discovered that there is quite a bit of confusion out there about what exactly parachute pants are. I think some of the younger generation confuse parachute pants with other stuff. Us 80's purists out there know the difference. For those of you who are 'ugly 80s' impaired, here's a short primer.
What parachute pants ARE NOT:
1) Cargo pants.
2) MC Hammer pants (although lots of people seem to think they are, Hammer pants are 'tent pants' if I'm not mistaken).
3) Made of any natural materials whatsoever.
4) Chick magnets.
What parachute pants ARE:
1) ALWAYS made of the same nylon material as a parachute (hence, the name).
2) filled with strange zippered sections, especially at the ankles and running horizontally in strange places, like across the mid thigh.
3) Very shiny.
4) Very noisy when you are trying to sneak up on someone (don't try this, you will fail!).
5) The ugliest item in my home at the minute.
6) Found in all colors, but usually black or red.
7) Sometimes evident in Michael Jackson videos.
8) Worn often by break-dancers and break dancer wanna-be's.
9) A relic often connected with 'Chess King' stores (remember them?).
Okay, that should clear up some confusion.
25 comments:
LOL I can not stop laughing. I remember those parachute pants from when I was in Middle School. There was this one guy that always wore them .....
unfortunately, debra, I remember them all too well...
Oh no not parachute pants! Thanks for educating the mis-informed. Although, I am not sure how parachute pants could be confused with anything else! They were and are definitely "unique".
you would think, callista, but when I searched for a youtube video all I could find was stuff about MC Hammer! I think people think parachute pants are big and billowy like a parachute. But they are actually tight and named for their parachute nylon.
I don't remember them, but thank you for making me conversant with the horror that were parachute pants.
oh, shannon, you're lucky!
I protest!! I loved my parachute pants.
hahaha Just thinking about Chess King cracks me up. Nooooo!!!
HAHAHA I lived in those things. Sad...
hey, 80squeen, I can forgive you for cheap trick...and for Meatballs...but NOT for parachute pants! NO!!
yeah, jessica, chess king had, like, the UGLIEST clothes ever. They are singlehandedly responsible for those stupid 80s sweaters that were so acrylic that they squeaked.
Just say no to parachute pants! There is a definate difference between them and MC Hammer pants.
There was a version of the MC Hammer pants that were popular here for a bit, not as billowy though, they were referred to as "drop crotch pants" my dad use to crack up over that phrase. Never had parachute pants or those crazy "drop crotch pants"
I prefer those short pants with a skit over it...remember that style :P
LL
thepinksoup.com
BTW we'll have part 2 & 3 of our cabo trip
Oh does this bring back the memories!!!!!!!!
i'm laughing my butt off over chess king stores. hysterical.
Did you have FEDORA HATS on your list of tacky things to wear? ;)
I think we need a re-vote!
oooh, 80squeen...you got me there.
Wait, are those Capezio shoes?
I so wanted a pair of parachute pants. Black. Never happened.
karen, I do think they are capezios!
I used to have a pair of black parachute pants, and a black t-shirt that said Breakin' (it had a guy doing a back spin on it). I remember wearing those pants during the winter, man that was cold.
I bet it was cold with all that nylon... But the breakin' shirt is probably what made it all worthwhile ;-) Did you ever spin on those checkerboard vinyl tiles yourself?
Tights come in a variety of colors, with the most popular being pink and black. Most dance schools require pink, footed tights for girls and black tights and white socks for boys. Brand names include Prima Soft, Danskin, Capezio and Mondor.
Using the shoe size as a guide means that in some shoes you may need a smaller or larger size. For instance, if you are size 7 in a Capezio dance shoe, you may need a size 8 in another brand. Try the dance shoes on in the store and walk around for a while. You want to pay attention to how your feet feel in them. If you feel any rubbing against your feet, you don't want to purchase that size or style. This rubbing could cause painful sores that could prevent you from performing at your best.
Using the shoe size as a guide means that in some shoes you may need a smaller or larger size. For instance, if you are size 7 in a Capezio dance shoe, you may need a size 8 in another brand. Try the dance shoes on in the store and walk around for a while. You want to pay attention to how your feet feel in them. If you feel any rubbing against your feet, you don't want to purchase that size or style. This rubbing could cause painful sores that could prevent you from performing at your best.
In December 1989 I vowed to never leave the 80s ... I'm still there after 21 years now. I was an avid fan of the parachute pants because of their coolness, in both meaning of the word. Your list is partial agreeable. My list of Parachute pants characteristics:
1) No, there are not cargo pants (cargo pants are based on military BDU's)
2) Yes, they are NOT MC Hammer pants, MC Hammer pants came out about 5-7 years AFTER parachute pants. MC Hammer pants are 'screwed-up' baggy pants. MC Hammer pants have nothing to do with jumping out of an aircraft.
3) Parachute pants were made to JUMP from a aircraft and were made of nylon and easily frayed.
4) Parachute pants WERE chick magnets, they LOVED the way it felt.
5) You can sneak up on a person with parachute pants, I know I was a 80s Ninja.
6) Parachute pants are very beautiful.
7) I don't recall Jackson wearing parachute pants in a music video, but I'm sure he did on stage at some point in the early 80s.
8) Yes, worn by break-dancers and wanna-be's, I was a break-dancer wanna-be but that was my public personsa. I was a undercover ninja that used to wear black parachute clothing to simulate black ninja attire. Also carried butterfly knives, ninja stars, nunchucks in my zipped parachute pants.
9) Parachute pants must have zippers. To keep thangs from falling out of your pockets after you jump out of an aircraft.
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