In the history of fashion, there have been many outstanding labels and icons. Most of them from denim jeans such as Levi’s red tags, Diesel’s white stripe and now Seven For All Mankind’s unique swirl on the back pockets. Chances are that every girl you know has a pair. The phenomenon is bringing about a renewed focus on the derriere.

Read on for the spotlight on designer denim.

So if you are in your full 80s retro phase now, this is for you. Someone, who has lots of time on their hands, has created a set of Tarot cards with key 80s nostalgia characters as the card figureheads. Ferris Bueller, Morrissey, Marty McFly and Max Headroom. We only wish that the creator had more of a sense of humor. How about being really snarky and ripping on these icons a bit? Or picking some funnier retro stars - Crockett & Tubbs, Pac Man or Alf for example.

The Eighties Tarot

Sorry, but it is true. You know those ubiquitous yellow bracelets, "Livestrong" with the proceeds going to charity. Everyone from John Kerry, John Edwards, Robin Williams to that 40-year old guy you work with are wearing them. They are for a good cause no doubt. But they had their moment, back in the lazy days of July and August, but now it is time for the trend to be retired. As stated here last week, it is as if every middle-aged guy wears it to seem "with it." Possibly to show a little metro flair, too. It has become the next Kabbalah red string.

Bracelets on Backorder {official site}

Over the last year there has been a reemergence of 80s preppy fashion. Many a Izod and Polo shirt with a flipped up collar have been seen. The new "student chic" for the Fall semester as reported by The NY Times focuses on clean-cut, dressy and classic looks. No one likes to actually call themselves preppy, opting for "retro" or "classic."

At the same time the sloppier, trucker hat and T-shirt look may be fading. As well as punk and goth looks meaning those ever-present studded belts. How does this fashion realignment affect those who wear sweatbands and big bracelets on their arms? Too soon to tell, but wear it quick because in a few months you will look so very 2003!

New Student Chic {NY Times}

An unlikely source for fashion news is Matt Drudge. After all he wears that goofy 40s style hat everywhere. But today two photos on his site made for chances to comment on fashion:

1. N.J. Gov. McGreevey's former "friend" and State Homeland Director Golan Cipel returned to Israel and in sporting the Izod further proves the preppy comeback.

2. Italian PM Berlusconi sporting a doo-rag with the Drudge headline "Berlusconi's trendy new look makes a splash." What new look? He's just doing what a lot of old, bald dudes do. Also the story that Drudge links to makes no mention of the headgear.

What is wrong with today's young adults? Either we are on Prozac, suffer from A.D.D., or are in therapy to deal with the "stress" of being relatively well-off, bored, youthful city dwellers. Don't forget the en vogue maladies such as "quarter-life crisis" we contend with. {see the "endless adolescence" article}

Poor babies. Now relief has come in the form of trendy "cuddle parties" whereby lonely urbanites in PJs can hug and be hugged by strangers. Everyone just really needs to be hugged, says the idea founders. Maybe so, but not by weird, ugly people. If you can choose to be hugged by hotties of the opposite sex, then I am down. Otherwise as one blogger puts it, "I'd rather take drugs, thank you."

Open Up Your Arms..{AZCentral}
Cuddling New Craze {CNN.com}

August 12, 2004
Do Urban Cowboys Make You Say "Ugg"?

It is almost too easy to pick on those ugly Ugg boots. They are the equivalent of parachute pants from the 80s or Regis Philben-style monochromatic suits and ties circa 1999 - very indicative of a certain time and highly ridiculed. In the case of Uggs, they are very much early 2000s and deserve to remain there.

But bootwear still seems to be popular with word coming from Gawker and other sources about the reemergence of good ol' cowboy boots. Why not since big belt buckles, denim, western-styled button downs and trucker hats have been trendy in recent years?

The New Uggs {Gawker}

July 24, 2004
Weird Science Alert:

Science is not the norm on this site. But a report of an Antarctic experiment that shows the possibility of time travel is very interesting. Here's the story:

A weather balloon was launched into a gray, foggy mist above Antarctica. The balloon disappeared, but was then found with the chronometer set to the year 1965! They repeated the experiment several times with the same result - set back to the past. This "time gate" has brought interest by the CIA, FBI and international agencies. Is this real?

Time Can Be Turned Back {Fourwinds10.com}

So look who came late to the party. The NY Times called out men wearing dress shirts untucked as a trend. Huh? Dudes have been doing this for years, it's called comfort. Also why look like you are 40 if you don't have to?

Besides, men in office situations have few options available. The standard uniform is a dress shirt tucked into khakis with a belt. Often monochromatic colors maybe bought at Macy's (see left). We can add a sweater, cardigan or polo shirt to the repertoire, but that's pretty much it: The male 9 to 5 outfit.

Recently dress codes have loosened and untucked dress shirts, T-shirts with jeans are acceptable in many office places. At least on the West Coast. This is a good thing people.

In this picture (right), the shirt with the squared bottom was made for being untucked.This is a good look, depending on the shirt, pants and gut you have of course.

There are times when you look better tucked in, other times untucked. Everything in moderation when it comes to fashion.

There are dissenters that think this is all retarded. The usually-cool Gawker writes, "Please make this nightmare stop." To their credit they realize that this "trend" is only considered a trend by the lame, "This is the sort of "fashion trend" picked up by men who still wear pleated slacks."

The August issue of GQ had a related fashion Q&A, here is the answer:

The rule is: Tuck in your goddamn shirt, barn boy! But seriously, folks, I know that the hip thing has been to go around with your shirt out, or maybe half tucked like you slept in your clothes and haven't had coffee yet. But this "hip" look has been hip so long, how much longer can it possibly be hip? The rule I live by is, if a button-down shirt has a finished, squared-off bottom, it's okay to wear it untucked in casual scenes. If it's cut, curvy - long in the front and back, short on the sides - then tuck the mother in. You'll feel better when you look at pictures of yourself ten years from now.

Heinous Trend Alert {Gawker}
Flying Shirttails, the New Pennants of Rebellion {NY Times}