Dazed and Confused has been one of my favorite movies since I was able to relate to it, so since about freshman year in high school. My now-best friends and I saw it together and immediatley were envious of how laid-back and free their high school experience was. We were in love with the long-haired open-shirt boys and the PANTS good god the pants that the senior girls wore. I remember watching my best friend Dalia give the entire “George Washington, man, he was in a cult” speech to some guy at a party who was zonked out of his mind, to which he only responded “wow, I can’t move my body”. Needless to say, I have very good memories associated with this film. It was Linklater’s intention to invoke a sense of nostalgia for people my parent’s age, but the genuine depiction of youth and impertinence can be relatable for anyone with that teenage drive to be free. Linklater does an amazing job of characterizing the young teens, though briefly, with starkly differing personalities that are just beginning to form a sense of independence.There was such a great importance put on the individuality of each character, and in the time of which it took place they really had no thought about the reality of the world they were growing into but more about their own personhood.  Given that stores would sell any teenager beer at the time if they said they were 18, and there was no longer any war for teens with no direction to be drafted in, the world was these kid’s oyster. 

Linklater sent this letter to his cast with a few tapes of who he believed their characters favorite musicians would be. He used music to emphasize their individuality as realistically as it was experienced by teens in the 70s. Music was extremely polarizing for teens and their persona’s, who they wanted to embody and rebel against. Rock was a huge form of rebellion in its beginning, and hard rock only amplified that through the 70s. Carey Martin writes about how the heavy metal genre was basically ignored by critics in its time, which reinforced its somewhat cult following in the time, furthering the narrative of its rebellious nature. My dad was definitely into disco but also an avid “funk” fan, so the Dr. John and War really spoke to his experience, while the hard rock reminded him of all the trouble makers he knew in his day. The 70s is considered the best decade for rock n roll, having taken all the experimental cues from the 60s and right before the “sellout decade” of the 80s. It also emerged because of monumental cultural shifts such as the civil rights movements and Vietnam war protests, that changed the climate for creativity and made they hardcore works of Aerosmith and KISS revolutionary. It’s ironic that near the end of the film, Cynthia talks about how the 70s “obviously suck” when in retrospect it’s considered the golden era for music, and spawned the sentimental reflection of said music aka “Dad rock” that some would argue is what inspires the current wave of indie rock, founded by the new generations nostalgia of what their parents once listened to. 

have swooned at this scene before

Now for my breakdown of the best outfits in the movie.

remember when bright orange and pink cars were cool? I wasn’t alive

We start with Pickford. Everything about Pickford. The Open chest shirts, the necklace, the long middle part, the joint, UGH. He’s everything you’d want in a high school boyfriend that you’d probably never see or hear from again after graduation. 10/10

shoutout to Adidas #ad

Then there’s Carl. A sissy? Yes, but if my mom had a shotgun and was willing to pull it out like that I’d probably have a little to compensate for as well. However, those striped-pants make me envious. A time before men thought it was emasculating to wear cool, figure-flattering pants. sigh.

girls can aggressively abuse power too!

Then, Darla. Obviously the power of being a high school senior has gone to her head a bit, but who doesn’t love a stereotypical bitch that smacks gum like that? The SENIOR shirts are iconic, but the striped shorts and knee-high socks are such a monument to the 70s. More so than that, Parker Posey wears it with that crazy-ass smile like no one else could ever.

shoutout to puka shell necklaces

SHAVONNE. I think about this outfit often. The pink flowy shirt and lace-up high-waisted denim is so damn feminine and flouncy in itself it only makes sense to be rocked by a tanned, blond sweetheart like herself. Watching her girlfriends pull up her pants zipper with a pair of pliers? We all suffer for fashion, especially to look that good.

no caption, look at the collar

Pickford’s dad. The short sleeved “going on vacation” jacket could quite literally, only be overshadowed by a collar that damn big. These patterns rock, even though he’s technically “the man”.

Matthew McConaughey ages like a fine wine

Last, but not least, Wooderson. He’s sleazy, but goddamn is he smooth. A Ted Nugent shirt and tight pink denim flare pants are actually the least notable thing about this outfit, but surely appreciated. His cigarette-sleeve and pervy mustache are everything to tell you this guy is too old to be hanging with these kids. Matthew McConaughey was appearing in his first feature film, and damn did he make an impression in those COWBOY BOOTS!! 

I’ve greatly enjoyed making this post, it’s certainly made me nostalgic about my own high school experience. I had a great time presenting this week as well as watching Mia’s presentation of the inner workings of Stanley Kubrick’s mind. I hope this movie was as much a joy to everyone else as it was for me!