Your Essential Guide to Nostalgia

The big hair of the ’70s and ’80s should be appreciated, if only for the skill it takes to get it right. This is hair, mind you, that is expected to hold for the entire day — think Donna Summer and Farrah Fawcett. A couple of decades later and what do you know? Generation Z is taking to the elaborate style, with tutorials going viral on TikTok. The buoyant head of curls is achieved by flipped-up ends and a LOT of hairspray. Here’s a tutorial for you to try at home. It might just be the retro look we never knew we needed.

2. Dua Lipa

The 26-year-old British pop singer has been dominating the charts with disco-era sounds unlike any we’ve heard for a long time. Think Saturday Night Fever for the NFT age — that’s the style this Grammy Award winner has developed over the past couple of years. Her latest album, Future Nostalgia, is heavily influenced by the sounds and aesthetics of ’70s pop and disco. Give it a spin on this fine weekend. Also watch her perform “Bennie and the Jets” with Elton John. Because, Elton John.

3. Fondue

I’m not sure what the obsession was with double-dipping snacks in a shared sauce back in the day, but boy, did people love doing it. Chocolate, cheese — you name it — fondue sets were all the rage in the ’70s. This classic Swiss cheese recipe is scrumptious and good for dunking items like hunks of bread or vegetables. Just make sure your guests are Pfizer’d up.

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If you’re like me and don’t quite have the coordination gene, get your skates on and give it another whirl as it seems this trend is back. From TikTok to Instagram, there are influencers gaining thousands of followers from rollerblading. London-based model Cheyenne Carty, for example, has somewhere north of 90,000. But first you’re going to need some skates — these bright yellow ones are bound to turn heads. Then a location: Cascade’s is a legendary rink in Atlanta. And if you’re in the U.K., you can skate along with other amateurs, from Hyde Park to Regent’s Park, on summer evenings.

2. Snowfall

It’s the television series everyone’s talking about. Starring Damson Idris, this ’80s-inspired crime drama is like American Gangster, Power and Paid in Full rolled into one. Heck, it’s already been compared to The Wire. Set during the height of the crack epidemic, the Hulu original series follows Franklin and his crew as they deal with the ups and downs of running a criminal organization.

3. Polaroid Photo Shoot

They were all the craze in the ’80s. But now that everything’s online, photos are like tangible pieces of memory we can carry with us. That would certainly explain today’s popularity of Polaroid cameras. Fujifilm has a mini one that comes in various colors. Invite a bunch of friends over for a photo shoot and then hipsterfy your home with these decor ideas.

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No matter how advanced game consoles become, nothing will ever top the Super Nintendo and the Nintendo 64. I was born in the ’90s so I am biased, but when it comes to Donkey Kong, Mario Kart, Golden Eye and other N64 classics, there’s no denying that they’ve stood the test of time. Relive those moments this weekend. There are the original consoles, which you can still purchase at Walmart. Then there are the versions that exist on more modern systems, like Switch and Xbox One.

2. Snack Back in Time

Who remembers Dunkaroos? This epic frosting and cookie duo is back to bring joy into the lives of ’90s kids everywhere. Yes, it’s a sugar rush and probably not great for our metabolisms, but there’s nothing better than peeling back that tacky teal packaging to dig into delicious vanilla cookies and frosting with sprinkles. This weekend, make sure you buy a pack and indulge.

3. The Last Blockbuster

There was a point in time when the best part of the week was going to Blockbuster to pick out a movie on a Friday night. In the advent of Netflix and streaming, however, the ’90s wonderland was forced to file for bankruptcy. Only one store remains — in Bend, Oregon. This weekend, you could set foot back in the ’90s and visit the very last brick-and-mortar outpost of the beloved franchise. Like a museum, there you can study how video cassettes were rented in the old days, and maybe even try it yourself. If you can’t make it, there’s a Netflix doc about the store that’s just as intriguing.

He’s your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper. And although he hid from the spotlight — even donning a mask for the majority of his career — the British American emcee was who every hip-hop nerd was bumping in the early aughts, and he also influenced later generations. Known for impossibly intricate rhyme schemes and jazzy instrumentals, one listen to his greatest hits will place you back in a time right before things went digital and auto-tuned.

2. Back to Baggy

My mom was at her wits’ end buying my brother and me clothes in high school. I can’t explain it — everything just had to be big. Ironically enough, tight skinny jeans were the style that followed that adolescent trend. Though I’ve since been delivered from the shackles of extra-large clothes, baggy is in again — and it’s more fashionable than ever. Saks Fifth Avenue has a gorgeous off-white pair that will make you ditch all your formfitting jeans.

3. Puka Shell Necklace

First seen in the ’70s and made popular again in the aughts, these jewelry pieces are both a fun look for summer and a great arts and crafts activity to do with the kids.