Work it… but in style
For some, the movie Flashdance with jersey asymmetrical lines twirling fast and furious proved inspiration enough to eliminate those excess calories. For others, it was the taut, lean image of Jane Fonda encouraging us to ‘Go for that Burn.’
Let us not forget however, that there was a place called Mona Dam right here in Kingston where the nation’s forward thinkers, led for many years by Prime Minister Michael Manley, made four laps seem effortlessly well, you know, chic…
Bridget Lawson and son Jason of The Mushroom Ltd share their own memories. “Remember Jamie Lee Curtis in the movie Perfect?” Jason remembers this movie as one part of the gym fad that saw ’80s neons and floral prints take over the erstwhile drab workout clothing lingering from the 1970s.
Spandex and stretchy cotton were de rigueur in the fashionable woman and man’s wardrobe, usually in the form of cycle shorts or leggings paired with anything and everything.
“The ’80s and ’90s were all about colour, neon brights, prints, the high Rio cut bottoms.and the belted leotards!” says Bridget. Exercising or not, she remembers men and women clamouring for spandex cycle shorts, racer back tank tops and co-ordinating headbands and fanny packs.
Women undoubtedly got the better end of the deal in terms of creative options. Ladies, do you remember buying matching panty, thong and sports bra sets to go over your leggings? What about cut-out leotards and leg warmers?
“Gymwear was it for me back then. It was way more about fashion than now. With [today’s] jazz pants, and tanks with fitted bras it’s more about comfort,” says Bridget.
Swimwear was also way more of a high fashion gig, as the best suits were made for more posing than swimming. “I did a lot of hats and accessories with swimwear then, sheer shirts and wraps as cover-ups,” she adds. “A lot of bandeau tops, sexy narrow bottoms, under-wire tops and a lot of floral prints – everything was floral.”
Back then Bridget put on several fashion shows dedicated solely to haute gym and swim couture across the Caribbean. all woman shares some of our favourite photos from them.
