Break out the legwarmers and slap on the snap bracelets — the ’80s are back.

The fashion and music of the decade of decadence are returning to Iowa State. Fashions worn by celebrities like Jennifer Lopez and Britney Spears have started an ’80s craze in department stores and specialty boutiques.

In general, fashions tend to return, says Liza Kindred, owner of *Zushy, 2406 Lincoln Way.

“Fashions usually come back every 20 years, so we’re right on track,” Kindred says.

This season’s fashions include off-the-shoulder tops and bulky sweaters, velvet accents, big buckles, long earrings and pants with narrower legs, says Colin Tokheim, employee at Express at North Grand Mall, 2801 Grand Ave.

“Some trends are a little outrageous,” says Jamie Moran, senior in management. “But I do like the accessories that are coming back.”

Kindred says shoulder pads, acid-washed jeans and tightly rolled pants are ’80s fashion trends that should never come back in style.

“We’ll be OK without those trends coming back,” she says. “They are not very body flattering now or back then.”

Kindred says the return of ’80s fashion is a new interpretation of the original trends and the re-invention of the fashions fit today’s lifestyle. Vintage T-shirts and mesh-backed hats, also known as “trucker hats,” can be seen all over campus.

Joe Scultfort, senior in marketing, used to wear his grandfather’s Iowa State hat from the late 1970s to football games. He says recently, the mesh hat trend is fading out and umpire and army hats with short bills are coming into style.

Remakes of music from the ’80s have also been reinvented in the 21st century. Covers of popular ’80s songs include DJ Sammy’s techno rendition of Don Henley’s 1984 hit “Boys of Summer” and Kelly Osbourne’s version of Madonna’s 1986 single, “Papa Don’t Preach.” Madonna can also currently be seen on Gap commercials singing a remix of her own 1984 hit, “Get Into the Groove,” with rapper Missy Elliott.

Kevin Broulette, senior in computer engineering, says he has not been pleased with the ’80s remakes.

“The ’80s were so original,” he says. “Now everyone is trying to bring the songs back because they’ve run out of stuff to sing about.”

Moran says the ’80s were nothing special.

“I guess it’s OK that the fashion trends and music of the ’80s have made a comeback,” she says. “I’m just happy it’s not the big hair and mullet [haircuts].”

Kindred says the reason for the return of ’80s trends is due to the reduced economic activity in the United States.

“We try to go to a different time and place while we’re in a recession,” she says.