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Have you hidden your high school photo albums from your kids to keep them from laughing at your oversize glasses and poofy hair? Well, it's time to break them out of hiding. '80s trends are coming back, and your kids might just want to see those albums to get a few fashion ideas of their own. But be careful! While trends today are becoming heavily '80s-inspired, they still have a modern twist.

When incorporating '80s trends into your wardrobe, you want to look chic and current. You don't want people to shake their heads and think sadly, "Oh, she's trying to relive her youth." So how do you incorporate the '80s in a modern way? Much the same as you might incorporate any trend or vintage style: sparingly and mixed with classic pieces. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

[1] Leggings with an understated dress.
In the '80s, everything was bright, lollipop colors. To make the trends more modern, you can do '80s shapes in classic, more muted tones. For example, take the old practice of pairing leggings with a skirt or dress. To modernize this trend, think of leggings more like a substitute for tights. Choose them in muted neutrals like gray or black. The dress should come to your knees rather than be a minidress - add a cute studded belt and you are good to go!

[2.] Sharp shoulders without the pads.
This year lots of designers were showing pieces with dramatic poufs, especially in the shoulders. One way to incorporate this trend, inspired from the strong shoulders of the '80s, is to look for jackets or t-shirts that have a more understated poofy shoulder. A small poof is more than enough to give you the look you want, without screaming "I stuff my shoulders!"

[3.] A frame of brights.
As mentioned before, the '80s was full of lollipop colors. The best way to incorporate this part of the trend is to do brights in classic cuts, like a wrap dress or just a simple tank top. Accessories are also a great way to incorporate brights, because they give a pop of color without being overpowering. When you have a very bright piece, keep other colors and bold accessories to a minimum - let the piece speak for itself!

By using the '80s as an inspiration, you can come up with any number of retro chic outfits. Just remember, do a nod to the '80s instead of being literal. Mixing classics in with the bold '80s styles is a way to ensure that you'll look like someone who just stepped out of an upscale event, rather than someone who just stepped out of a time warp.

Learn more about this author, Aisling Ash.
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