Back To School 70's Style

With kids going back to school everywhere (thousands on Facebook alone, including mine,) I thought I'd share one of my back to school rituals. If you didn't grow up in Chicopee, fill in your local mall/stores here and let the memories come rushing back.

Time to hit the Fairfield Mall.  First, I'll go to the Levi's Store for some "cords." (Kids: "Cords" were corduroy pants. They were later banned due to the friction they created when you walked in them, causing many kids to spontaneously combust.)  Cool, Mom will let me buy 4-5 colors. I'll get black and blue because they match anything. Next, how about green?  They don't actually match anything, but they're dark, so I can fake it.  Now, time for the big guns: cream color and rust color. These look the coolest.

Now, time for my next stop: T-Shirt Express to custom match shirts to these cords.  These days, you go to Target, Wal-Mart, or even BJ's for t-shirts with funny sayings and band logos on them. But a long time ago, you could only get them at T-Shirt Express. This is heaven. Pick your shirt then pick the iron-on decal off the wall.  Hmmm, today I think I'll get That Doors decal on the 3/4 sleeve baseball shirt, the "Wild And Crazy Guy" decal on the yellow t-shirt, and the Gene Simmons solo album cover on black sweatshirt. Nice. This paper route money is coming in handy.   And the smell of those fresh iron on patches...mmmmm.

Well, time to hit Lucas Pizza for a slice before I go to Thom McAn for some sneakers. I hope they have the ones with those cool reflectors on the back.  Or was it Kinney shoes?