That’s right you faithful Innerspaeth reader, you. Throwback Friday is BACK with a vengeance. Today I’m throwin’ it back to shoulder pads.
This idea came to me over the weekend when I was helping my mother clean out my grandmother, AKA Busia’s sweater collection. I was about to try on a sweater (that I actually liked) and, low and behold, sewn into the shoulder were shoulder pads! I couldn’t believe it. My mom laughed then told me that they’re back in style. Allow me to repeat that. My MOTHER told ME that shoulder pads were back in style.
“No. They most certainly are not back in style,” I said back to her.
Then I realized… wait, maybe Mom was right and I had better do a little research.
The beginning of the shoulder pad craze first started in the 1930s when fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli included them in her designs of 1931. Shoulder pads were shaped as a semicircle and then stuffed with stiff materials like wool, cotton or sawdust. They were the perfect extension of the shoulder line and fashion designers loved it! Interestingly, they became especially popular after World War II when designs became more militarised. Jackets and coats in particular, were influenced by masculine styles and shoulder pads became even bulkier and were positioned at the top of the shoulder to create a solid look.
Joan Collins was the queen of shoulder pads, in my humble opinion. Seen here during her years on the prime time soap opera Dynasty.
I Googled “shoulder pads” and found a surprising number of images from 2009!
Victoria Beckham, Rihanna and Katy Perry in shoulder pads
Beyonce wears shoulder pads
Gwyneth Paltrow wears shoulder pads
I’m beginning to think Mom is right. So, there you have it. Clean out your closets this weekend ladies, it’s time to dig up your shoulder pads! Sport your favorite jacket or sweater to work on Monday and start the trend back up with the celebs. You’ll thank me later.
