SHOPPING: USE CAUTION WHEN RETROFITTING '80S LOOK

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You may already have noticed that in the world of fashion, the '80s are back.

Oh, the horror.

Elements of '80s fashion have actually been slowly working their way back onto faraway fashion runways for a while, and some of them actually do work, while much of them very definitely do not.

Some things to avoid. Ponytails on the side of your head, stirrup pants, jeans rolled tight at the bottom and tucked into socks, socks with pumps, excessive shoulder pads, banana clips, and those little pieces of plastic through which girls used to pull the ends of their T-shirts to create a little tail-like thing -- Why? Seriously, why? -- were awful then and would be even more awful now.

People, we've made those mistakes once. Onward to the '80s-inspired things that can be worn without shame.

Belts, metallic accessories, asymmetrical design and big hoop earrings are all items that have been updated in a good way.

Nordstrom carries a selection of belts in a variety of styles, from skinny ones like the St. John Sport Belt ($145), wide ones like the Betsey Johnson Wide Whipstitch Belt ($150) to belts embellished with American Indian bead work, including the Leatherock Mixed Stone Woven Belt ($148) and Fina Firenze Floral Trim Leather Belt ($78). Banana Republic carries several styles of woven leather and macramé belts ($38-$52), beaded, shell and metal tie-belts ($32-$58), and studded and stitched wide leather belts ($48).

Old Navy also carries a wide selection of belts, including Women's Metallic Leather Belts and Macrame belts ($24.50), Women's Wide Belts ($29.50) in green and dark pink, Women's Beaded Macrame Tie Belts ($14.50), and Metallic Braided Belts ($19.50). Old Navy's Women's Sequined Leather Belts ($24.50) are particularly fun and pack enough sparkle to single-handedly light up just about any ensemble.

Dillard's also delivers with and Eyelet and Stud belt ($28) and a wide Double D-Ring belt ($38) by Fossil or Steve Madden's Metallic Braided Belt ($32) and the very '80s glam-rock inspired Antique Metal belt ($28).

Belts are being seen with everything this year, and as a general but flexible rule, the wider the belt, the farther down on the hips it can sit.

Hoop earrings also are showing up, from the plain, one-hoop gold version to those with multiple hoops, such as the Rebecca Norman double hoop earrings ($190) or Organic Gold link earrings ($215, Neiman Marcus); unique shapes, including the Banana Republic triple-hoop earrings with beads ($36); or dangly beads, like the Roberta Chiarella turquoise drop-hoop earrings ($125) or the Stephen Dweck coral hoops earrings ($250, Neiman Marcus).

Urban Outfitters carries a great selection of '80s-inspired earrings, including hot pink Heart Fishhooks ($16), black and white Sailor Striped Hoops ($16) and uber-dangly Hoops with Glass Beads ($18), any of which will give just a hint of '80s fun to a current look.

Metallic leather also is back and found on accessories for day -- Ann Taylor's woven straw tote with metallic gold leather trim ($78) -- or night -- Ann Taylor's elongated metallic clutch with metal chain strap ($78). In addition, shoes are turning up with a metallic sheen, such as with Cole Haan's rhinestone thong sandal in gold ($98, Neiman Marcus) and MARC by Marc Jacobs cutout ballerina slipper in gold ($95, Neiman Marcus).

As with any other look, if you can pull off something unusual from the '80s, go for it.

Maria Phelan is a reporter for the Green Valley and Henderson Views. Retail information appropriate for mention can be sent to mphelan@viewnews.com.