1. Fanny Packs
Back in the ’80s, fanny packs were a must-have accessory for any schoolkid. These handy little bags allowed you to carry your essentials while keeping your hands free for more important things—like trading stickers or trying to master a yo-yo. They came in every color of the rainbow, often featuring flashy designs or even neon lights. However, today’s fashion standards wouldn’t dare allow a fanny pack to make its way into the classroom. With an emphasis on sleek, minimalist styles, fanny packs are mostly seen as a fashion faux pas, and their practicality is often overshadowed by their outdated appearance.
While they once screamed convenience and were all the rage among kids, the idea of wearing one today would likely get you a few raised eyebrows from teachers and peers alike. The once-cherished accessory is now more likely to be relegated to the back of a closet or as a fun retro costume accessory. So, unless you’re attending a ’80s themed event, it’s best to leave your fanny pack at home if you want to avoid the embarrassment.
2. Lunchables
Lunchables were the pinnacle of ’80s school lunches, offering an “all-in-one” meal packed in a neat, compact box. Kids loved the idea of assembling their own tiny sandwiches or munching on crackers, cheese, and lunch meat, all while feeling like they were eating a grown-up meal. These pre-packaged delights were a convenient solution for parents who didn’t have time to pack elaborate lunches. But in today’s health-conscious world, Lunchables are often considered less of a treat and more of a nutritional disaster.
Filled with processed meats, artificial ingredients, and an unhealthy amount of sodium, they’re no longer seen as a smart lunch option. With increasing awareness of childhood obesity and healthier eating habits, Lunchables are a thing of the past for most schoolkids. Today, parents are more likely to pack fresh fruits, vegetables, and homemade sandwiches, steering away from the overly processed snacks of yesteryear.
3. Trapper Keepers
Trapper Keepers were the ultimate school organizational tool back in the ’80s, featuring vibrant, eye-catching designs that reflected the era’s bold style. With their expandable folders and zippered pockets, they seemed like the perfect way to keep your papers neat and tidy. Kids loved them not only for their practicality but also for the fun designs featuring everything from unicorns to action heroes. But today’s students would likely get a few puzzled looks if they tried to show up with one of these bulky binders.
The sleek, digital age has moved away from the need for such physical storage, with students relying on laptops and tablets to store their notes and assignments. The colorful, often clunky Trapper Keeper has been replaced by thinner, more minimalist binders and digital devices, reflecting a shift towards more modern, tech-savvy organization. So, while a Trapper Keeper may have once been the height of cool, it’s now a relic of the past that no one would dare tote to class today.
4. Permed Hair
For a brief period in the ’80s, permed hair was the epitome of style. Whether you had long, voluminous curls or tight ringlets, the perm was a way to stand out and embrace the vibrant, bold attitude of the decade. Kids spent hours in salons getting their hair chemically processed to achieve the perfect volume, but today, that’s a no-go for most students. With the rise of natural hairstyles and a growing awareness of the damage perms can do to your hair, this style is now a thing of the past.
Nowadays, students are more likely to embrace their natural texture or opt for more subtle styling methods. With perms now seen as outdated and potentially harmful, it’s a look that most kids would avoid in favor of a more modern, healthy hairstyle. It’s funny to think that the once-popular ’80s perm, which was practically a rite of passage for many, would now be considered socially unacceptable.
5. Slap Bracelets
In the ’80s, slap bracelets were the hottest trend, with kids slapping them on their wrists to create a fun, colorful accessory that wrapped around your arm in a satisfying snap. They were so popular that you could find them in nearly every schoolyard, each one sporting a different design or color. However, slap bracelets quickly fell out of favor once they were deemed dangerous due to their sharp edges. Kids would sometimes hurt themselves or others, leading schools to ban them altogether.
Fast forward to today, and slap bracelets are a total no-go in school halls. Teachers and administrators would likely frown upon the sight of a slap bracelet, concerned more about safety than fashion. While they remain a nostalgic item for adults who remember the fun they had with them, these toys are best kept as a memory rather than a trendy accessory.
6. Portable Video Games
Portable video games were the ultimate distraction for ’80s kids, especially with the introduction of handheld devices like the Game Boy. Kids would sneak these devices into school to play between classes or during recess, completely engrossed in their pixelated adventures. While these games were groundbreaking at the time, today’s students would have a much harder time getting away with playing them in school. With the increase in smartphone usage and more advanced technology, playing old-school handheld video games now seems out of touch.
Moreover, with schools focusing more on digital learning and educational apps, playing video games at school is generally considered a violation of screen-time policies. Kids today are more likely to be told to put away their phones or tablets during class, with a much greater emphasis on using technology for learning rather than play. So, while the Game Boy was once the pinnacle of portable gaming, it’s now just another reminder of how quickly technology advances.