I no longer wish to be a Member
The news we all dreaded to hear is finally upon us: The Members Only Jacket is making a comeback.
According to the Daily Candy blog, the New York City boutique Henri Bendel is stocking the jackets again ... this time in some interesting colors -- black, white, cognac (tasty!), chocolate (yum!) and metallic gold leather (ok, just freaky).
Lord knows I'm a sucker for anything 80s, but I draw the line at the fashion of the era. Unless someone knows where I can get a "Frankie Say" t-shirt, because that would be valuable information.
In case you're wavering on this one, the price tag should deter you. Wait for it ... a Member's Only jacket will set you back $950!
[Getty Images photo]
Relive the music, movies and culture of the greatest decade ever with Times online editor Steve Spears. A teen during the decade, Steve is obsessed with everything from Duran Duran to Journey, John Hughes to John Cusack, and parachute pants to Reaganomics.
E-mail Steve Spears:
Steve, my dear, ask and ye shall receive!
http://www.cafepress.com/timewarp_tshirt/1715395
Posted by: Marissa | January 23, 2008 at 10:29 AM
The 'Frankie Say RELAX' shirt always makes me think of Ross from 'Friends'. Sorry to reference that show on this blog, I am ashamed of myself.
Posted by: bassnote | January 23, 2008 at 10:36 AM
Nice, Marissa. I actually saw "Frankie" shirts in Target recently, in the juniors area. And there was a 12-year-old girl carrying one around. She looked confused, but her mom looked pretty stoked.
I actually think the new Members Only jacket looks cute. I'd rock it.
Posted by: Stephanie Hayes | January 23, 2008 at 10:38 AM
Bassnote, you should be ashamed. You're to go watch a movie marathon consisting of Fast Times, Sixteen Candles, Ferris Bueller's Day off, and The Breakfast Club. This requires an intervention, my dear man! STAT!
Posted by: Marissa | January 23, 2008 at 10:39 AM
Stephanie, you COULD rock that jacket. Someone like myself or Mr. Spears or Daly would simply look like we were trying to make contact with the space station.
Posted by: Marissa | January 23, 2008 at 10:40 AM
Members Only Jacket for Women = Retro Fashion Statement
Members Only Jacket for Men = Birth Control
Posted by: Tonianne | January 23, 2008 at 11:04 AM
bwahahahaha Tonianne.
Posted by: Marissa | January 23, 2008 at 11:06 AM
the great unrequited love of my life wore a gray members only jacket while he rode his moped around the UF campus. And for that reason alone I look at them fondly. Birth control indeed.
Posted by: jane | January 23, 2008 at 11:15 AM
I don't own Fast Times, but I'll watch the other three right away.
Posted by: bassnote | January 23, 2008 at 11:57 AM
Redemption is near, Bassnote. We have faith in you.
Posted by: Marissa | January 23, 2008 at 12:07 PM
Alas, I need that Relax shirt by Saturday. And that's not gonna happen.
And I relish the day I'd fit into a shirt from the juniors section at Target.
Posted by: Spears | January 23, 2008 at 01:52 PM
Okay, so how much did a Member's Only jacket set one back, back in the day?? Personally, I'd rather have one of Jeff's GTMO t-shirts like Steve got...is that possible?
Posted by: Debra | January 23, 2008 at 02:09 PM
Debra,
Funny you should ask. It just so happens I'm trying to set up some way for card-carrying members of the 80's Nation to order thier own "Radio GTMO" t-shirts (as seen on SIT80's!). Steve will vouch for the fact that they are wicked cool.
If I can get it all sorted out, I'm sure Steve will pass the word on the blog.
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | January 23, 2008 at 02:35 PM
I would totally dig a Radio GTMO shirt. Kewl.
And now that I'm on a computer with a full-sized screen (as opposed to the eyesight-testing one on my iPod Touch) I can get a better gander at the Nouveau Member's Only jacket. That's a heck of a lot fancier than the ones I remember. It's cute -- but I'm just too damn old to even think about wearing it.
Posted by: jane | January 23, 2008 at 02:52 PM
Never had a MO jacket, never wanted one. Happily, some things never change.
On the other hand, if there's a list forming for people who would gladly shell out for a Radio GTMO shirt, put me down.
Posted by: Clark | January 23, 2008 at 04:14 PM
Debra,
My jacket from Dillard's set me back about $45 back in the day, no telling what that is in today's dollar. I remember because as a starving college student, I had to try to figure out how many movies and meals or flight hours that would be. Who knew it would be a part of history.
Posted by: Tom | January 23, 2008 at 04:17 PM
Jeff - I hope it can be worked out, 'cause I want a Radio GTMO shirt!
And Tom...I went to a Federal Reserve Bank Consumer Price Index Calculator website...I plugged in the $45 and used the year 1985 and converted it to 2007 dollars - turns out to be about $86 (a FAR cry from $950).
Posted by: Debra | January 23, 2008 at 07:20 PM
Urban Outfitters may have the frankie say shirt you are looking for, and I believe there is one in tampa.
Posted by: Jason Jump | January 23, 2008 at 09:02 PM
So, one of the worst episodes of TV history equals a retro fashion trend?
Shocker.
J.
Posted by: J | January 24, 2008 at 12:52 AM
Debra,
My black leather members only jacket set me back $100 back then.
Hmmm, I still have it in the closet, perhaps it is time to wear it again.....
Robert
Posted by: robert | January 24, 2008 at 02:19 PM
Anybody here heard the song 'Members Only' by Sheryl Crow. It sums up this fashion statement nicely.
Posted by: bassnote | January 24, 2008 at 04:18 PM
Bassnote, do you mean THIS song?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usrXEyHwKgU
It's good. Guess who's spending more money on iTunes?
Posted by: Marissa | January 24, 2008 at 04:28 PM