IT was acceptable in the Eighties . . . according to the lyrics to the Calvin Harris hit, anyway.
But thanks to young people like me, plenty of gear from the bygone era is rising up the rankings of cool.
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Given the queues that snake down the street with every iPhone release, it might surprise you to hear that LANDLINES – yes, that old-fashioned way of actually talking to people, instead of wearing out your thumbs texting – are making a bit of a comeback.
With the anti-smartphone movement on the rise, some parents are turning back the clock to save their kids from mindless scrolling and emoji-speak.
You’ll laugh, but us dopamine-addicted youth look back on the time before smartphones like it’s the Stone Age.
How, for example, did you navigate somewhere new when you didn’t have a handy maps app telling you which way was correct?
And the idea of having to listen to a whole album instead of picking and choosing from a playlist – bonkers.
Here’s the thing though – we’re actually feeling a bit miffed that we’ve been turned so helpless.
So we’re teaching ourselves the old ways . . . one cassette spooling disaster at a time.
RUBIK’S CUBE
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FORGET spending hundreds on a PlayStation console for fun.
All you need is a simple three-by-three colourful cube – and maybe a large open space to scream in when you get absolutely nowhere near close to solving it.
The Rubik’s Cube renaissance is being driven by a new generation of kids swapping hours of TikTok for hours spent learning how to solve the puzzle – and then getting as fast as they physically can at doing it.
They call themselves speedcubers – and membership of their governing body, the World Cubing Association, has seen a staggering 500 per cent increase in the past decade.
Time to up your game, Call Of Duty.
DIARIES
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SORRY phones, but when it comes to keeping track of our busy lives, only a proper old-school paper diary will do.
There are so many digital notes apps, calendars and life-trackers out there that tech has, ironically, made it more difficult to stay in the know about what’s going on.
A simple, everything-in-one-place paper diary on the other hand?
Now you’re talking. Plus, you can feel smug when you slide it out to double-check your availability.
MAPS
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SLOWLY but surely, we’re realising that map apps are, in fact, making us pretty dumb.
They tell us exactly what turning or which street to take when out and about. They even tell us when we’ve “arrived at our destination” – as if we don’t have eyes to work that out.
But just like vinyl with our music and Polaroids for our photo memories, paper maps are in fashion for the simple fact that we like to physically hold something.
There’s also some fun to be had in doing your best to plan a route while running the risk you could go completely the wrong way – because how else will you ever have an exciting adventure?
VINYL
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MUSIC lovers spent a record amount last year, beating the previous all-time high of 2001 – and much of that was down to our new-found love of owning physical records.
Vinyl sales have been increasing for decades, thanks to young people keen to have something to treasure.
It’s not just older acts releasing on the format either – everyone from Taylor Swift to The 1975 is in on it.
Splashing out on vinyl is proof you’re a diehard fan – and they make great gifts and look good on show.
CASETTES
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IT seems the vinyl revival may have become a bit mainstream for some.
Enter the big cassette comeback.
Loads of underground indie bands are releasing straight to tape, keen to put out something physical but unable to afford the cost of pressing a record.
You haven’t a hope in hell of fitting a record player into your pocket either, but then there’s no need as cassette players are also back – this time with mod cons such as bluetooth.
POWER SUITS
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IT only took one smouldering photo of a young Brad Pitt to go viral and 80s style was all the rage again.
Joan Collins might not cut quite the same dash but everything from power suits and orange-tinted shades to graphic T-shirts and garish shellsuits are back in right now – the bigger and bolder, the better.
High Street vintage clothing stores and charity shops are busier than ever, and going “for a thrift” is even becoming a popular activity.
CAMERAS
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FIRST we fell in love with retro film-style filters on phone apps like Instagram.
Then we young people realised that we don’t need a filter at all – we could buy the real deal instead.
Film cameras are a must among us lot for any big do or holiday – and the developed prints usually end up in pride of place on our bedroom walls.
And you know what: we’ve realised they feel a lot more special than a silly selfie with a dog filter on it.
MULLETS
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YOU can thank the Aussies – and England player Chris Waddle – for this one. The short at the front, long at the back look is everywhere now, and in every shape and form.
The so-called “soft mullet” – a more gentle take on the hairstyle rocked by the likes of actor Paul Mescal – is all the rage today.
I’m noticing kids, even really young ones, with luscious locks reaching to their shoulders and a buzz cut on top.
Meanwhile, facial hair is on a throwback mission to the 80s too, with young men in denial over their tragic attempts to grow a real Tom Selleck ’tache.
