Before The B-52s were campy, kitschy drag queens, they had a young, thrift store style epitomized best in this 1980 music video for "Give Me Back My Man." Not that we don't love their later drag queen look, it's just the orange wigs and bright make-up seem a little oppressive for this heat. Before the B-52s were one of the biggest bands in the world, they were a gaggle of art school kids that probably found most of their looks in bargain basements and Goodwill, which is always something to appreciate when done well.
No bashing on "Love Shack" or anything, but today's a day for the sparer, simpler aesthetic of "Give Me Back My Man", a song that, itself, has a pretty nice summer vibe. Cindy Wilson looks awesome, a Mary Tyler Moore for the New Wave generation. Her little flip (a wig?) and stretchy white headband are the coolest things in the world, babydollish and bratty. Her cute black dress is Wilson's ode to the '60s, perhaps, but it looks fresh on her. Tride and true thrift store kids can make anything look brand new. And while the dudes might not look too exceptional at first glance, we are liking their perfect '80s casual, oxford shirts tucked into proper slacks. It's all about the personality - the dudes wear a conservative look but somehow it seems edgy, not Wall Street. David Byrne had the same swag.
