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Pretty in Pink’s Duckie inspires current trends

posted by ChickSpeak
Monday, February 1, 2010 at 10:28am CST

“You know, this is a very volcanic ensemble you’re wearing.” This quote, spoken by Jon Cryer in the 80’s cult classic Pretty in Pink, was in referencing to his best friend and dear love, Andi. But now, he should be looking in the mirror and saying it himself.

Last weekend, on a quiet Sunday night, my roommate and I decided to watch this old classic over a great dinner of hummus, pita, and the newest edition of Elle. While watching Duckie sing and dance through the record store in an attempt to steal Andi’s heart, I noticed that his ensemble matched with the pages of the magazine in front of me perfectly. Duckie’s cooky and quacky choices are now entering the world of trendy and hip.

Marilyn Vance, the stylist for the movie, said in an interview on the new DVD Edition: All About Duckie, that she wanted him to dress differently than anyone had seen before at the time. The style choices she made took the regular wardrobes the ‘Richies’ wore, and made it something much more unique and personal to the character.

“It changed a straight-looking, preppy jacket into something a little more off beat,” Vance, who took each actor shopping with her for the wardrobes of their respective characters, said.

Duckie’s fashion influences are clear. The classic cuffed blazer sleeve that Duckie proudly wears in that classic dance scene has been seen on runways everywhere, and also in many columns advising women on how to steal from their guy’s closet. But Jon Cryer, the actor who played Duckie, didn’t picture him slipping on his trademark blazer as he originally pictured the character as darker and edgier.

“But I’m not really a tough guy, leather jacket type,” Cryer, in an original video from 1985, when the film was made, said.

Duckie always wears an eye-catching vest underneath all his blazers, some featuring shocking, 80s workout leggings patterns, mustard yellow prints, and the simple bolo tie worn at prom. Vests have been prominent in the fashion world for about 2 years now, but this year many designers, including Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana are introducing men’s vests featuring geometric patterns in gold, black, and other bright designs.

“I’m not really a leather jacket tough-guy type.” Jon Cryer

Duckie’s classic hat that defined his beatnik, alternative edge was a more laid back fedora, with a round rim and laid back on the head. This look is seen on just about every hipster walking the streets of any town. In fact, some ‘how to be a hipster’ mockery lists and sites detail a worn-out, thrift-found hat much like Duckie’s. (For an example, click here. Also, many fashion blogs have predicted bolo ties to be the next big thing in fashion. Refinery 29 noticed a trend of string and bolo ties in many Fall ‘09 look books. (View the original post here).

And, finally, the legend that made him the Duckman-the shoes. The white, beaten and broken monstrosities that represented his euphimism in life. He may have been broken down from Andi’s constant rejection, but his love for her (and the shoes) kept them going He even went so far as to wear them at prom, with a proud announcement of, “I remain now, and will always be, the Duckman.”

The classics were a pair of kickers made with white alligator skin, a material seen on many runways this Spring 2010 season, specifically by Blaak Homme at the Men’s Fashion Week in Paris, France, this past week. See images from the show here.

In actuality, Duckie was supposed to win Andi in the end. The original ending for the movie was changed after a test screening resulted in a negative reaction from viewers. It is true that we all wanted her to end up with Blaine in the end, but you can’t help but hold out for the old Duckman just a little bit - after all, his life had lasted a lifetime. But at least if he couldn’t get the girl, we can help him to make his mark in fashion. Maybe Molly Ringwald will change her mind when she sees reincarnations of her old best friend roaming the streets every day.

Cady Childs is a journalism student at Appalachian State University who also spends much of her time in the theatre and photography departments on campus. Inspiration for her writing comes from the likes of Andre Leon Talley, e.e. Cummings, and Hunter S. Thompson. She hopes to become an established journalist as well as novelist and playwright later in life. Her favorite part of Pretty in Pink is the soundtrack, which she used to listen to on the cassette player of her Mom’s old Volvo when she was a child.