We've all heard the old saying: What goes around, comes around. However, this astute observation could not be more appropriate for characterizing the dominant vibe for the encroaching summer of 2005.
Yes, you've read it correctly. This summer, American popular culture will enter a time warp, traveling back to the 1950s, `60s, `70s, `80s and `90s, drawing inspiration from the popular trends and activities of these bygone eras.
Rather than heading to New York hotspot Marquee or noshing Kobe beef and salmon tartar at high-end restaurants, this summer, America's trend-setting hipsters are looking to simpler times, with retro board games and outdoor activities -- things like Rollerblading and Skip-It -- occupying weekend romps.
So slap on your Snap-Bracelets, dust off that worn-out Twister mat and slip into your high-tops because we're headed to the olden days, where times were simpler and overalls and tube socks were, like, "so rad."
What ever happened to good old board games? A night of chomping Cheez-Its and guzzling grape soda pop around the Monopoly board characterized a super-duper night just one, two or three decades ago. However, when the mid-90s hit, a major paradigm shift occurred in the social lives of young Americans -- one that's continued into the new millennium. Hanging around the house in casual attire with a group of your closest buds became uncool, and anyone who spent his or her Friday and Saturday nights this way was a loser, with a capital L.
The daytime activities of jumping rope, Rollerblading and hitting up the local bowling alley were swapped for their nocturnal equivalents, like sweaty grinding on the dance floor or hitting up the local bar.
But, as we all know, history has a tendency to repeat itself, and so it will this summer, as today's true in-crowd seems tired of the always-out nightlife, favoring instead more calm forms of social excursions. Just look at one-time party girl Nicole Ritchie, who's recently quit drinking, smoking and hitting the late-night club circuit.
Even long-time, party-Ôtil-you-drop bad girl Tara Reid has been going out less as of late, opting for more serene activities, like quiet dinners and evening trips to drive-in movie theaters.
So get in the know and join today's "it" posse, creating your own radically retro day out or night in -- no blazer or strappy stilettos required.
If you're in the mood for some afternoon fun and have a hankering for an old-school activity, try getting a group of friends together for rollerblading. Whether you're street-side or cruising down a marked-off bicycle path, Rollerblading was an early-'90s pastime that never should have been shelved. Not only is it a great social activity, allowing you to chat while roll, but it's also an amazing workout. When's the last time a night of champagne and crme brulŽe did anything for your waistline?
If rollerblading's a bit too physical for your tastes, or if the `90s just weren't your decade, grab your group and hit the bowling alley for an afternoon of pin-popping fun. Bowling, like Rollerblading, is another activity where socializing and physical fitness mesh, though in a less intense form. Grab a hotdog and cheese fries from the concession stand, lace up those silly-looking shoes and make this 1970s favorite a "must-do" in your social calendar.
A once common activity for families and friends that has dissipated in today's fast-paced culture, picnics are another great way to spend a sunny afternoon. Treat a bunch of your closest friends to a homemade lunch -- packed in a traditional wicker basket, of course -- of sandwiches, potato chips, watermelon and lemonade, and eat your feast at a local park atop a checkered blanket. Nothing could be more serene -- or reminiscent of The Brady Bunch.
If you're looking to organize a retro evening at home, invite a group of friends over for a good, old-fashioned ice cream social. Request that all your guests wear their cheesiest 1950s-era attire and come ready to satisfy their sweet tooth. Serve up a delectable array of colorful ice creams, syrups and toppings, buffet-style, while playing --on a record player, preferably -- oldies from this cheery, post-war era.
Another great retro evening activity is a game-themed party. Have each of your guests come with one old-school game -- think board games like Candy Land, Shoots and Ladders and Operation, or active games like Twister, Spin the Bottle and Skip-It. Clear a large space in the room, allowing for multiple games to be played simultaneously. For refreshments, serve old-fashioned sweets, like Dots candies, Coke bottle gummies, wax bottles and candy cigarettes. For beverages, try bottled sodas, just as they served in the `60s and `70s.
If you're into a quieter, vegetative night in, have your friends over for an evening of old-school video viewing. Rent classic movies like Back to the Future and Ghostbusters, or maybe go for Ô80s television favorites like Alf, The Smurfs or Fraggle Rock. Further extend the night's retro theme by having friends arrive in t-shirts printed with the logos of their favorite old-school TV shows and movies.
So, the next time you plan a night out with your friends, think twice before opting for the clubs or a restaurant. Look to the trendsetters of summer 2005, following their lead as they blade the sidewalks and hit the Twister mat. After all, what goes around, comes around, and shouldn't you be the one to introduce your friends to these oh-so-hip retro repeats?
