Looking back, one might wonder why gaggles of kids were wearing parachute material in the 80s. It’s not like they were going to accidentally plunge off a cliff or walk out of an airplane. Rather, a new dance form called breakdancing was enjoying significant popularity and if you wanted to spin with reckless abandon or bust out with some robotic moves, you needed a pair of pants that were lightweight and slick. And once again, the dance community led the way to a fashion fad of immense proportions.

The world can thank clothing manufacturer, Bugle Boy, for unfurling parachute pants upon the general public. Eyeing the material used for nylon track pants, they fashioned a heavily zipper-laden style that was both comfortable and cool, if not a tad noisy when the legs of the wearer rubbed together. Still, the pants were slick, not only in appearance, but in feel as well, and, as a result, just happened to be well-suited for the rigorous demands of the up-and-coming dance craze known as breakdancing.

Soon breakdancers, from the professionals to the school playground variety were donning these noisy slacks with zippers running down the sides of the legs, as well as at the ankles, and anywhere else a zipper might be fit into the mix. And in all their zippered glory, kids could throw caution to the wind and spin with reckless abandon, knowing that their nylon parachute pants were ready to take the abuse - and look great at the same time.