Return of the .... scrunchie!?!

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JULY 13, 2009

Let's travel down memory lane: Remember acid-washed jeans, shoulder pads, teased bangs?

Who wasn't secretly glad when all were declared down for the count? Really, the only fashion relic worth mourning from that period was the humble, yet oh-so-practical scrunchie.

Now remember those movies about the freaky Chucky doll? Friday the 13th? You know where I'm going here: They're BAACCK...

The fashion gods are once again smiling on acid-washed jeans. Square shoulders are a runway rage. And while I pray that no one will feel nostalgic for AquaNet, there's a movement afoot to bring back the little fabric loop that practically ended Carrie's relationship with Berger in Sex and the City.

Yep, the scrunchie is staging a come-back.

I spotted them by the bin (see above photo as evidence) at American Apparel, the everything's-a-tee shop that's still too cool for Tampa Bay. (It was high on my must-visit list during a recent vacation jaunt to Boston's Newberry Street, which has more to offer a fashion-phile than anything behind the pearly gates.)

The sales clerk told me that some customers are buying scrunchies to match the store's colorful leggings and other funky outfits. As in, they are wearing them out in public!!!

So rejoice, my fellow scrunchie-wearers in hiding. Don't pretend you're too good for a passe trend. We've all bought drug-store scrunchies -- in retched shades of black and brown -- because, let's face it, nothing does a better job of protecting against bedhead.

Come out of the closet now, if you dare. The scrunchie is again allowed to see the light of day. That is, if you believe in reliving the glory of acid-washed jeans, shoulder pads, and all the funky 80s/90s colors back on the scene. If not, you'll remember this too: Just say no.

You make the call: Yea or nay on the (public) return of the scrunchie?

~ Deal Diva Letitia

Posted by Letitia Stein at 5:15:00 am on July 13, 2009 in

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THE AUTHORS

Stephanie Hayes came out of the womb wearing high heels. While other kids were reciting multiplication tables, she was learning to calculate an extra third off the half-price discount during buy-one-get-one week. She loves animal prints, black mascara and anything that sparkles. She objects to visible panty lines, Crocs and anything that costs more than a car payment. And she doesn't drive a nice car. She can be reached at (727) 893-8857 or shayes@tampabay.com.

As a sullen teenager, Emily Nipps refused to wear anything but black, olive green or burgundy, preferably ripped. She has since added color to her life but still experiments with her dark streak. A product junkie, she has tried tons of overpriced face creams and hair products but loves drugstore brands that work the same. She's an Aries and a bassist in a punk band. She has a pet pig, seven chickens, three cats and a rabbit. And just as many lip glosses. She can be reached at (727) 893-8452 or nipps@tampabay.com.

Kameel Stanley has never encountered a thrift store she didn’t like. Her mother taught her that the true value of clothes isn’t how much they cost, but how many outfits one can create from them. Having grown up in Michigan, she was delighted to learn upon moving to Florida that she almost never needed to wear socks or boots again. There’s a lot of turnover in her closet, and she’s obsessed with dresses, necklaces and wedge heels. She can be reached at (727) 893-8643 or kstanley@tampabay.com.

A disciple of the little black dress classics school, Letitia Stein stretches her budget by looking for styles with staying power. She lives for 80 percent off shoes at DSW, floral sundresses and bohemian chic tops. She confesses to being a bit of a snob when it comes to handbags and jewelry. She can be reached at (813) 226-3400 or lstein@tampabay.com.

Coming from a long line of fashionable women, Kim Wilmath considers herself lucky to fit into their hand-me-downs. Her wardrobe staples include her grandma's vintage blouses and her mom's funky jewelry. When she's in the market for "new" items, Kim hits her favorite thrift stores -- a habit she also picked up from mom. But when circumstances require a visit to the shiny stores in the mall, you'll find Kim at the sale rack like a good little diva. She can be reached at (813) 661-2442 or kwilmath@tampabay.com.

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