Staples of the 1980s That Make Us Feel Nostalgic

Multiple generations look back on the 1980s with reverence for different reasons. Depending on one’s age, those memories will each have a unique meaning and perspective.

Boomers and Gen X remember adulthood or being a teen, while older millennials will think about their early childhood. However, no matter the age group, the 1980s conjures up similar recollections of that era’s technology, television, trends, stores, and other mainstays.

Indeed, these staples of the 1980s make us feel nostalgic about things that have changed, decreased in popularity, or no longer exist.

1. VCRs and Video Rentals

In the early days of physical media, VCRs and VHS tapes of our favorite movies became staples in many households. These collections remained typically modest, especially compared to the DVD collections that emerged in the early 2000s.

Besides owning VHS tapes of anything from Back to the Future to Disney classics (nothing beats those puffy shell cases), going to video rental stores like Blockbuster became a revered activity. Those who remember it still look back on those simpler times of perusing the aisles of a select number of movies, compared to today’s seemingly endless scrolling on streaming apps.

Consequently, the one remaining Blockbuster store in Bend, Oregon, has become a fun, nostalgic tourist destination.

2. Cassette Tapes

Where movies had VHS tapes, we played our favorite music on cassette tapes in the 1980s. While records remained an option, cassettes became the most prevalent music format.

Only those who lived through it will know the singular experiences of switching from side A to side B to hear an entire album or rolling the take back up with a pencil.

Cassettes from artists like Michael Jackson and Madonna filled our homes for the decade before compact discs came on the scene and made us rethink sound quality. Today, only the most old-school individuals still have their cassettes.

3. Rotary Phones

Kids today who grew up knowing nothing but cell phones will never quite understand rotary phones — or landlines, for that matter. While the 1980s also had push-button telephones, many homes still had rotary telephones.

Remembering these will simultaneously inspire wistful and triggering memories. The latter comes because the effort it took to dial a number on a rotary phone was not for the faint of heart. It was easy to hurt your finger or break a nail moving the dial around. The day rotary phones became a thing of the past, many people in the ’80s undoubtedly jumped for joy. Still, the novelty remains.

4. Film Cameras

The art of photography has become nearly obsolete because of cell phone cameras. In the 1980s, though, people still took pride in and loved taking pictures on their film cameras.

Indeed, many still get nostalgic over the joy of cameras and their inherent mystery because we did not know how each photo turned out until development. I still have fond memories of the excitement of getting film developed from Disney trips and family gatherings. Moreover, only those who lived it will fully understand the phrase “Make it a Kodak moment.”

5. Arcades

Before home entertainment systems like Nintendo became popular, many kids and teens in the 1980s spent their free time at the arcade. These places, often attached to or located next to convenience stores or inside places like bowling alleys, had a distinctive look and feel.

Games like Pac-Man, Frogger, and Dig Dug dominated the decade, with friends and strangers competing for the top scores. Shows like Stranger Things help those who remember them keep that memory alive in authentic ways.

6. Phone Books

Before the days of the internet and cell phones, people would take out their trusty phone books to look up information about an individual or business. Undoubtedly, every U.S. household had the yellow and white pages sitting in a drawer whenever they needed them.

Phone Books also came in handy for families who did not have booster seats at home. Lots of ’80s kids no doubt remember sitting on a phone book to give them a boost in their chairs because of their thickness and sturdiness.

7. MTV

Every generation that lived in the ’80s will likely remember the phrase “I want my MTV,” the original slogan for the channel that launched on August 1, 1981, with the somewhat ironic music video “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles. Soon, it became a staple for music fans who wanted to consume their favorites in a new, dynamic way.

Fans of MTV in the ’80s remember it as being in its purest form, solely focusing on playing music videos. Although the late ’80s saw the channel expand to original programming, the early days became just as important to artists as radio airplay, aiding in their launch in popularity and stardom.

8. Family Sitcoms

Television programming has evolved in numerous ways over the years. Sitcoms will always be around, but the days when family sitcoms dominated the airwaves will likely never be like the 1980s. In that decade, these situational comedies that revolved around families consistently enjoyed high ratings.

Carefully acquired data shows the popularity of family sitcoms from 1986 to 1989. Viewers loved shows like The Cosby Show, Who’s the Boss, Growing Pains, Family Ties, Roseanne, and Full House.

9. Mervyn’s Department Store

Department stores like J.C. Penney, Robinson’s, and Macy’s were staples of 1980s shopping. A mainstay that now only exists in our memories, shoppers in primarily the Western United States frequented Mervyn’s.

This store became the number one destination for many families, including mine, when looking for reasonably priced clothes, bedding, housewares, and seasonal décor. It also had one of the most memorable advertising campaigns of the era.

10. Shopping Malls

Beyond individual stores, shopping malls experienced their heyday in the 1980s. It became the place for adults, teenagers, and children to shop, eat, and socialize.

Malls in the ’80s had a dynamic flair and featured many style trends the decade became known for, such as bright fluorescent lighting. Once again, the Netflix series Stranger Things captures the essence of the 1980s shopping mall that will inspire nostalgic feelings for places like Sam Goody and Orange Julius.

11. Neon Fashion

Every decade has fashion trends. The 1980s saw many, including bright neon colors, in everything from t-shirts to socks and hair accessories. Children of the ’80s often could not go a day without seeing a classmate or friend wearing something in neon pink, orange, or green.

Tie-dye shirts reminiscent of the 1970s got a neon upgrade in the 1980s. Likewise, windbreaker jackets frequently had neon accents. While some would like to forget these colors, others fondly reflect on neon fashions. Those looking to relive these days can look on Etsy, Amazon, and Walmart.

12. Trapper Keepers

Developed in the late 1970s by E. Bryant Crutchfield, Jon Wyant, and the Mead Corporation, Trapper Keepers became the must-have item for students in the 1980s. The portfolio-style folder featured Velcro closures, making it practical. Additionally, it came in a variety of patterns for kids to enjoy and express their individual style.

Some of the most popular styles include Lisa Frank, tropical scenes, geometric patterns, and animals. Though they don’t have the cultural status they did in the 1980s, those looking for nostalgia can buy new Trapper Keepers on places like Amazon and Mead; ones from the 1980s, like this Lisa Frank gem, can be found on eBay.

13. Saturday Morning Cartoons

Children in the 1980s experienced something that kids growing up today will never know: the singular joy of watching Saturday Morning Cartoons. The lineups would vary over the years, but those few hours spent in front of the television remain a fond memory for GenXers and millennials.

Some of the most beloved cartoons include Care Bears, Inspector Gadget, Alvin and the Chipmunk, G.I. Joe, Transformers, ThunderCats, The Smurfs, Jem, My Little Pony, DuckTales, and Muppet Babies. Remembering these brings an instant smile to one’s face, thinking back on a carefree time with their favorite characters.