There was nothing quite like the anticipation of back-to-school shopping in the ‘80s. I can still vividly recall those August days spent in my grandmother’s blue Buick Regal, the soft navy vinyl seats cradling us as we embarked on our annual journey to gather school essentials. Each trip was a rite of passage, marking the end of summer and the beginning of a new school year full of promise and excitement. I eagerly awaited our visits to the mall, long afternoons in K-Mart or Walmart combing through aisles for the supplies that would soon become mine, and listening to my mom and grandmother debate lunch options while checking off items from our extensive back-to-school list. It was a treasured experience.
Every fall, my sister and I would stand in dressing rooms, receiving a never-ending stream of neon tops and snug jeans from our mother. It felt as if we were the stars of our own fashion show, with our mother catering to our every whim. This was our annual chance to assert our style preferences, and we made sure to take full advantage. After all, these would be the outfits we donned day after day until they were outgrown. Our choices mattered.
Finding the perfect shade of green on a Max Headroom Hypercolor T-shirt was essential, and shoulder pads were a must to give us that Dynasty-inspired look. In those days, jeans needed to be just the right whitewash, perfectly rolled at the cuffs. Socks, if purchased at all, had to be slim and unobtrusive—thankfully, my mother often skipped that shopping trip. We preferred to wear our Keds sans socks, blissfully unaware of the consequences.
While I relished clothing shopping, gathering my school supplies brought me even more joy. There was something heavenly about selecting a fresh notebook and opening a brand new box of crayons, inhaling the sweet scent of unblemished wax. And if we were fortunate, my mother would let us pick out the Crayola box with the built-in sharpener—if not, Grandma often would. The excitement peaked when both markers and colored pencils made their way into our cart!
Among all my beloved school supplies, one item stood out: the Trapper Keeper. This iconic binder was both awkward and cherished, a must-have that demanded attention. It cradled the textbooks I carried to class each day, proudly displaying my chosen design to all who passed by. The blue Trapper Keeper with its vibrant rainbow and loud Velcro fastener was the crown jewel of my haul, alongside a fresh pack of pencils, the ideal art box (cardboard, naturally), and a metal lunch box complete with a Thermos.
Our ride in the Buick was filled with laughter as my sister and I sorted through our shopping spoils, each item destined for our bedrooms until the first day of school. My mother often reminisced about how much we had grown, lamenting the fashion choices of our youth, such as rolled-up pants and crop tops. Meanwhile, my sister and I plotted to request a few additional treats like Lisa Frank stickers or a multi-colored pen.
Fast forward to today, and life has drastically changed. I find myself as a parent, navigating the back-to-school shopping experience with my own teenagers. Gone are the days of neon shirts; they now gravitate toward black or minimalist styles. The socks they choose are loud, patterned, and far from the simple designs of my youth. However, I take solace in the fact that Converse Chucks have stood the test of time, even if my kids opt for superhero designs rather than classic white.
Recently, I experienced a rush of nostalgia when I discovered that the Trapper Keeper has made a comeback. For a moment, I felt like doing the Cabbage Patch right there in the stationery aisle! I almost bought one for each of my kids, but upon closer inspection, I realized that the nostalgic laminate smell of the original could not be replicated in today’s version.
Sadly, I no longer get to buy metal lunch boxes adorned with beloved characters or vibrant notebooks. My teens prefer plain folders—no stripes, no plaids, and definitely no kittens. It seems that I may have purchased my last box of Crayolas with the little plastic sharpener. As I reflect on my own joy in selecting their supplies, I realize that their excitement has faded, but mine remains strong.
I miss the ‘80s fiercely, especially in August. I long to ride in the backseat of that Buick Regal, rummaging through bags of freshly purchased clothes that still carry the scent of the store. I yearn for the unmistakable smell of a vintage Trapper Keeper and the satisfying sound of Velcro being ripped open. I would even carry a metal E.T. lunch box to work if I could. I would gladly relive those shopping days—well, except for the shoulder pads. Those can stay in the past.
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Summary
The author fondly reminisces about the joy and excitement of back-to-school shopping in the ‘80s, from selecting neon clothing and the perfect jeans to the thrill of picking out school supplies like the iconic Trapper Keeper. As a parent today, she finds herself missing the nostalgia of those days and navigating a different style landscape with her teenagers, longing for the simpler joys of her childhood shopping trips.