Shiny Puffy Jackets

I’ve always been under the assumption that Europeans dressed more fashionably than Americans. Perhaps I arrived at this notion after my time spent in London amongst the punks and new romantics in the early 80s. The bright colors and bold patterns were like none I’d seen in America except maybe in New York and LA. Otherwise, people always seemed to dress more safely, especially in Phoenix. Muted shades of tan, grey, and blue were the order of the day. There might be the occasional magenta highlights or piercings, definitely tattoos amongst the populace of the Valley of the Sun but anything beyond the standard shorts, t-shirts, and sandals (or even flip-flops) was rarely the order of the day.

Barcelona, would be different. Or so I thought. Maybe it’s similar in other places but there’s a uniform worn by the young people, mostly men, of Barcelona: the shiny puffy jacket. The shiny puffy jacket is a take on the down jackets and vests that were big in the late 70s/early 80s amongst the preppy set. Instead of the beige and navy colors that were popular then, the standard color here is jet black. Sometimes, one might see bright blue or even purple but that is rare. The shell material appears to be a polyester material with a shiny finish. I suppose it’s designed to be more water repellent. The brand names range from the familiar; The North Face, Columbia, and Carhart (which is now a “luxury” brand) to European brands that I’ve only seen here such as Pull and Bear, Jack and Jones and Geographic Norway. In addition to the jackets, sweatpants are preferred. Black, grey, and white are preferred. Footwear options are any brand of high-top sneaker. No hats, though, regardless of the temperatures. Most men are going for the “broccoli-headed” perm look these days. I guess they think that will keep them warm. I do hope they are getting these perms from a reliable stylist lest they end up losing their hair due to a cheap perm (I speak from experience).

Maybe this is all a reflection of a pervasive dour mood affecting the youth of Barcelona. In 1980s Britain, that took the form of cutting-edge music and outrageous fashion. This seems to be more inward-looking rather than a more overt expressiveness. Who knows, we might see a metamorphosis and next year’s shiny puffy jackets will become more colorful and sport creative patterns and textures. We’ve already seen the ripped jeans look making a re-appearance, so who knows. Let’s keep our eyes open.

Shiny Puffy Jackets Everywhere!

Here’s a few musical numbers for your enjoyment