For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for June 16, 2016

I remember wearing shoulder padded jackets as a kid. I was more confused by them than anything.

Shoulder pads were fashionable in the l930’s and again in the 1980’s. I hope that style doesn’t return in my lifetime.

I am surprised at the negativity and nastiness of commenters of this strip. You all look for any excuse to badmouth every character, and Lynn herself. And you have no excuse for your behaviour. Lynn is a wonderful person, warm and kind and smart, and this is a perpetually award winning strip.

You should all be ashamed of yourself.

I remember these all too well. They made me look like a football player so I was forever cutting them out of shirts and dresses I bought in the early/mid-80’s. Almost everything came with padded shoulders. That being said, Ellie looks fine. Quit being so snarky, John!

Actually… um… I do think she looks great..Maybe it wouldn’t be that fashionable today, but she’s lost that frumpy shape. A long, well fitted, 1980’s Anne Klein II jacket…. or a soft draped one like Ellie has on… was a flattering look, especially for a pear shape like Ellie’s or mine.

Looks like she is dressed to go throw pottery.-———————————Not with long sleeves. Or anything you don’t want spattered with clay.

snerk!Me too.

First of all, I love the dress. You can’t tell, but I’m wearing something similar in my picture, and purple is my favorite color. Shoulder pads didn’t look right on me when I was in my 20s because I had awesome shoulders back then, but now, in my 50s, shoulder pads help dresses hang right on me.

Second (and I ask forgiveness from the people who have heard me get on this soapbox before), I absolutely can’t stand the cliche of the husband lying to spare his wife her feelings. If I ask my husband if something looks good on me, I want an HONEST answer (the level of honesty is in direct relation to how much coffee he’s had before I ask LOL). I would rather he not spare my feelings than for me to go out looking like a dork.

This is so old, it may be true again! I did see some (smaller) shoulder pads in the past year or 2.

My husband is an engineer. I’m not sure he knows what does or does not look good. That is OK with me! I never ask him how I look, because it doesn’t seem fair, but I am looking forward to the day- not far distant- when my children can tell me if I am making good fashion choices.

I loved that look. Still have my clothes from the 80s and still wear many of them, pads and all. I am pear-shaped without them.

I used to cut the danged pads out of my clothes LOL

He should have used the answer to the old question “do I look fat in this”, with “do I look stupid in this shirt”???

When you see a vintage gag about some fashion that’s ‘new’ and ‘in style,’ and you’re seeing it decades after it’s forgotten- and in some cases regretted- it’s a reminder how ephemeral and shallow fashion really is.

I got married in 1985, during the Dallas and Dynasty period on television (remember Linda Evans’ huge shouldered gowns???). I have always been broad shouldered, and nearly all the wedding dresses had huge shoulder pads and gigantic sleeves. I would come out of the dressing room in one and watch my mother cover her mouth trying not to laugh – I looked like Terry Bradshaw in drag.. Thankfully, there was one dress company, Jena, that made a fitted sleeve dress with minimal shoulder padding.

Now we have the opposite problem, too many wedding and bridesmaid dresses that are strapless, which don’t work with big shoulders or if you are well-endowed. My hairdresser is directly across the street from a Catholic church, and I can’t tell you how many times we’ve watched “mammarially-blessed” brides and attendants posing on the steps for photos and continually tugging their dresses up to stay covered.

And there were big shoulders in WWII

Ah! The Linebacker Look. I had an outfit just like it. :)

Shoulder pads are due to make a comeback in the 24th century, but only if you’re a Romulan (Star Trek: TNG for the unfamiliar).

Remember that thought when YOU ask “Was it good for you too?”

In actuality, padded shoulders have never gone away, as they have always been part of a construction of a suit, jacket or a coat for a proper fit. In the 80’s the padded shoulder became exaggerated…that’s all.

I think it looks nice on her, I could be a little biased. Purple is my favorite color!

I am reminded of Elaine Boosler’s gag about how she put on a blouse with shoulder pads, a vest with shoulder pads, a jacket with shoulder pads, and an overcoat with shoulder pads. Then she went outside and was tackled by a linebacker.

At who?

I think someone just made a reference to you comicsssfan,time for a few pithy comebacks!