As the summer sun faded each August, my excitement soared as I piled into the backseat of my grandma’s blue Buick Regal, the one with the navy vinyl top. Those shopping trips were the highlight of my youth, signaling it was time to gear up for a new school year. Nothing compared to the thrill of picking out fresh supplies and trendy clothes. I eagerly anticipated our visits to the local mall, long hours in K-mart or Walmart digging through aisles filled with brightly colored notebooks and the best school supplies a kid could ask for, all while my mom and grandma debated the perfect place to grab lunch.
Every fall in the ’80s, my sister and I would find ourselves in adjacent dressing rooms, with my mom passing us a steady stream of neon tops and tight jeans over the door. We felt like mini fashionistas, wielding our rare chance for veto power in the clothing department. Those choices mattered, as we would wear those outfits day after day, until we outgrew them. The shade of green on our Max Headroom Hypercolor T-shirts had to be just right, and the fit of our shoulder pads needed to scream “Dynasty.” Jeans were expected to be perfectly rolled and whitewashed, while socks were a battle we often lost. Thankfully, my mom sometimes skipped that chore entirely, leaving us free to rock our Keds sans socks.
But my true passion lay in selecting school supplies. The simple joy of picking out the ideal notebook or opening a brand new box of crayons—oh, the scent of fresh wax was like heaven! On lucky days, my mom would let us grab the Crayola box with the built-in sharpener, and if we were really fortunate, Grandma would spoil us with markers and colored pencils. Each item was a treasure in its own right, but nothing compared to the glory of the Trapper Keeper. It wasn’t just a binder; it was a status symbol, proudly displaying our carefully chosen designs as we navigated the halls of school with our hefty load of textbooks.
As we traveled between stores, the plush seats of the Buick cushioned our excitement, our shopping bags piled high with new items. My mom often remarked on how fast we were growing and reminisced about our fashion choices, wishing crop tops would vanish for good. Meanwhile, my sister and I plotted to sneak in a few extra treats, like Lisa Frank stickers or a multi-colored pen.
Fast forward to today—I’m now a parent myself, and my teens have little interest in neon shirts; their tastes lean more toward black and minimalist styles. Their sock choices are a far cry from what I once wore, with patterns so wild they could make anyone dizzy! Despite this evolution, I find solace in the enduring legacy of Converse Chucks, even if my kids opt for superhero designs instead of the classic white ones.
This August, I experienced a wave of nostalgia when I discovered that the Trapper Keeper had made a comeback. I nearly did a happy dance right there in the store! I wanted to grab one for each of my kids, but as I examined it, I had to admit that the iconic smell of the original—a scent that had captivated my childhood—seemed lost in the new version.
Sadly, I can no longer buy metal lunch boxes adorned with the Smurfs or colorful notebooks that catch the eye. My teens have outgrown the excitement of school supply shopping, opting instead for plain folders and uninspired binders. I think I may have purchased my last box of Crayolas with the little sharpener attached, even though I cherished those moments when I could indulge in the thrill of school shopping.
Oh, how I miss those carefree days in the ’80s! I long to dive back into the backseat of that Buick Regal, surrounded by the scents of new clothes and the sound of Velcro ripping open on a Trapper Keeper. I would even carry a metal E.T. lunch box to work if I could (don’t knock it till you try it). Sure, I’d skip the shoulder pads—some things are better left in the past!
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In summary, those nostalgic shopping trips of the ’80s shaped my love for school supplies and fashion. While my own children may not share the same enthusiasm, the memories remain cherished. I long for the days of vibrant colors, unique styles, and that unmistakable school supply scent.