The Great Outdoors: 80s Dad Fashion is WILD

Okay, so I just re-watched The Great Outdoors, and while it's definitely...cheesy, I was LIVING for the outfits! Chet Ripley's (John Candy, bless his heart) wardrobe is a MASTERCLASS in 80s dad fashion. We're talking high-waisted jeans, tucked-in polo shirts, those gloriously awful patterned windbreakers...it's all there. Seriously, someone needs to do a Chet Ripley style guide. I'm half tempted to just thrift my way to a full recreation, lol. But it's not just Chet! Roman Craig's (Dan Aykroyd) preppy villain fits are equally iconic. That crisp white boating attire? So extra, so wonderfully evil. It really highlights the clash between Chet's down-to-earth Midwestern vibe and Roman's…well, everything about Roman is just over-the-top. Even Connie's (Stephanie Faracy) looks are perfectly 80s suburban mom – lots of pastels and sensible, if not exactly thrilling, choices. The scene at the supper club? Forget the 96oz steak (though, ew), look at the clothes! Everyone's dressed to the nines (for a Wisconsin supper club, anyway), and it's a beautiful, slightly terrifying time capsule. I think the best thing about the costumes is how they really help define the characters and their social standing. Chet's comfy casualness screams "approachable dad", while Roman's expensive, slightly try-hard outfits scream "I'm trying to impress you with my money". It's subtle but effective. Good stuff! Honestly, I wasn't expecting to be so invested in the fashion of The Great Outdoors, but here we are. It's a fun movie, even if the plot is a little predictable, but the costumes alone make it worth a watch (or re-watch!). Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to find a hideous windbreaker. Wish me luck!