“Remoted – Hybrid” – Day 925 (Wednesday) – padded life

Pamela Sue Martin as
Fallon Carrington (1980s).

From 1981-89, Dynasty aired, with John Forsythe, Joan Collins, Linda Evans, and Heather Locklear (who was later on Melrose Place and other shows). The story's wealthy characters were regularly draped in gowns, jewels, and furs. Cleavage was popular. And shoulder pads. 

One year during the run of the original Dynasty, a colleague and I dressed as Alexis Carrington Colby and Krystle Carrington at work on Halloween. We worked in the IRA Department and normally we wore suits, skirts, or dresses, but on that day, we wore cocktail dresses to work. One was a royal blue strapless, topped with a fur coat, the other was dusty rose satin with giant shoulder pads. 

Both dresses had been made by me to wear to weddings, back in the day when I sewed. We accessorized with rhinestone necklaces and drop earrings and looked like we were ready to head to a gala at 9:00 a.m. on a weekday. We looked fabulous. It was fun pretending to be super rich. 

Since 2017, a remake of Dynasty has been running. It has a cast of actors I don't recognize, except for Grant Show, who used to be on Melrose Place. The characters still wear expensive clothes and there is still a crazy level of arguing, scheming, and conniving, just like in the original version. 

Elizabeth Gillies as
Fallon Carrington, 2022.

Fashion has cycled around again, at least on TV, and big shoulder pads are abundant in the 2022 season of Dynasty just like in the 80s. The model thin women glide around on their designer stiletto heels and have shoulders that make them look like linebackers. 

I remember the days and the clothes of the 80s. Somewhere in the house, there is a drawer of shoulder pads of varying thicknesses, the last relics of a wardrobe of a lifetime ago. They had been removed from the original garments before laundering, and had snaps sewn on for reattachment. The clothes they once belonged to are long gone, but the pads are ready for the next revolution of the wheel of fashion. Bring it on.