Forgotten Fashion Brands....
I forget what triggered the conversation in the office the other day but we somehow got on to the conversation of retro brands that you just don't see anymore.....
Whether you were after some new jeans, the latest trainers or some new cool t-shirts these brands were what I wanted. Unfortunately with these brands vanished before the digital age of social media or the internet there really isn't very much information about them so I'm not sure how widespread the appeal was. Hopefully the brands I've focused on mean something to you guys around the country. But here's some of my favourites anyway....
The Sweater Shop - Sometimes parents made/needed their offspring to look 'smart' and there was only one garment to do this, a Sweater Shop sweater! A good quality, heavyweight, knitted jumper was always a parent pleaser and luckily highly fashionable at the time. They came in a multitude of (generally hidious) colours and designs to suit most tastes and occasions. A wardrobe must-have that earned you 'cool points' down the youth club.
Spliffy - Back when jeans couldn't be 'too baggy' and bomber jackets were the all-year-round garment of choice, this cheeky chap adorned the backs pockets of ALOT of jeans (and bomber jackets) in my town when I was growing up. The blanket distribution of these garments will be all thanks to our local Tuesday Market. Looking back I can see why my mum wasn't massively impressed with me wearing these when I was 12...
Fresh Nation - When I was at school there were 3 things that made you 'cool'. Rocking Reebok Classics as your school shoes, a Fresh Nation sweater/hoodie and if you didn't have either of these (like me) you had to be able to draw the Fresh Nation clown from memory in incredible detail. Many tried and most failed, thank goodness for me my drawing skills were obviously better than my fashion sense and I made cool kid status on my drawing ability of a black and white clown. Fresh Nation was a brand started by a guy called Winston and I remember the shop on the coveted Bristol Street, Park Street. All the clothing and accessories featured graffitti-esque graphics featuring positive slogans like 'Re$pect' or 'Hold it Down'. I have no idea what happened to the brand but I must admit, I quite miss it......
So there you have it, the three brands that made the most impact on my youth. Did other brands make you cool at school? Why not get involved and mention your childhood fashion faux-paus in the comments box below, we'd love to find out what you wore to look 'cool'.
xoxo