It's a very particular shade of blue. Some call it ‘Sapphire.' Some label it ‘Royal.' Still others go for "Cobalt." Elle magazine, in video below, calls it "rockin' electric blue." For those of us ‘of a certain age,' we are deeply familiar with this color as it was all over the fashions of the 1980s. For those readers much, much younger, certainly you've noticed it's growing popularity in the fashion photos, on the red carpet, on the starlets appearing on talk shows. According to Elle magazine's Gilles Bensimon, "Blue is one hue currently experiencing a raging comeback, although many consider the shade to be a tacky -- maybe even dangerous -- relic of the '80s." But, dangerous, or not, you can't miss this color in today's fashions!

In case you're so young you thought this color was on its first go-around ... wrong. It's a fashion repeat. The fashion magazine editors even tell us so. The terms "retro" and "80s" are all over the critiques of current fashion trends.

As Part Three of my retro-fashions series ... here's a few choice looks at this blue, often complete with an 80s ruffle or two...then and now.

Take a look at Katie Holmes Cruise in photo at right. This is no pale, timid blue. This is full out 80s retro blue. And the photo of Sarah Jessica Parker below in her strapless ruffled blue. Then take a peek at the 1980s photo of the ruffled blue strapless bikini...see any similarities between Donna Mills' ruffle and SJP's? Amazing isn't it? And for another take on a big blue ruffle, check out the photo farther down of Kate Hudson in 80s-retro blue.

After years and years of black being so "all that" and greys and charcoals being the most common colors beyond our blue jeans (oh, and even those started getting darker and darker with the recent popularity of 'dark-wash denims'), it's kind of fun to see these intense hues come back on the fashion scene. And also notice, no black nail polish on either Holmes or Parker while wearing these rich colors! Can we get an 'amen' for natural nails?

The Donna Mills photo from the 1980s in her ruffled bikini is just one example of the popularity of deep blue tones from this era. Next is Linda Evans, a wildly popular TV star from the 1980s show, 'Dynasty.' In this photo are two other 80s influences, the little bow at the neck and the obvious shoulder pad. A 70s element of Ms. Evans' look are her bangs, the cliche flipback bangs made uber-popular in the 1970s by Farrah Fawcett, one of the original TV "Charlie's Angels." Donna Mills fluffy big perm hairdo was more typical of 80s obsession with 'big' hair. Which, by the way ... take a look at Sarah Jessica Parker's big curly hair ... does it remind anyone of Julia Robert's curly tresses in "Mystic Pizza" or "Steel Magnolia" or "Pretty Woman" or even "My Best Friend's Wedding."

In the photo of Demi Moore below, her dress is not only 1980s blue, it also uses "ruching," that gathered, wrinkly, seam down the center bodice. Ruching was an extremely popular element of 1980s fashion. This fashion/sewing/design term fully reviewed in the context of a Sarah Jessica Parker outfit in Part Two of this series. Click here to see Part Two. Also note that Demi's dress has a version of the bow at the neckline, a similar touch to the Linda Evans 1980s blouse. Again, neck bows, in fact, bows anywhere and everywhere were very hot in the 80s fashion scene.

Enjoy the pics and remember the 80s!

(side note re: video above: Donna Karan dress on spokesperson...pretty pricey. Target has a "knock off" for about $20. Why spend a lot on a trend that may just be 'hot' for one season? But, be warned, Target's dress probably Made In China, which I personally think we should be avoiding)

This column is Part Three of a series of columns reviewing retro trends in today's fashions. Take a look at these other retro-fashion columns!

Part One: (click here) Looking back for today's fashion trends ... the history of white sunglasses. See Drew Barrymore, Kate Moss and others in their white sunglasses. With a great Audrey Hepburn video... and it's NOT from "Breakfast at Tiffany's."

Part Two: (click here) Looking ahead, looking back: fashion inspirations ... some great video about the fashions for "Sex and the City" movie. And some fun fashion reminders of the 1980s.

Part Four: Is Madonna's 80s ConeBra making a comeback? Click here for a fun review!

Part Five: The Scarf...a great accessory to that can add style even to t-shirts and jeans! Click here to see how Katie Holmes, Kate Hudson, Sienna Miller and others "do" a scarf.

Part Six: Add some Leopard prints to your wardrobe...but be careful this bold looks can go wrong! See how Katie Holmes, Queen Latifah, Jennifer Lopez and others "do" the leopard look. Click here.

Part Seven: The Orange Coat! The newest color is warm outerwear, as for a trendy new item in your wardrobe. Whether inspired by Audrey Hepburn's orange coat from Breakfast at Tiffany's or not, this is one hot trend. Click here.

Part Eight: The RUFFLE ! Fashion savvy women from Michelle Obama to Victoria Beckham are adding ruffles to their wardrobes. See celeb photos and fashion labels take on adding ruffles to fashion. Even a leather ruffle! Click here.

Enjoy !