Before the decadent and lovingly tacky ’80s gave way to the Grunge Era, heavy flannel and baggy pants, high scholars were listening to Fine Young Cannibals while tight-rolling their jeans before class. Children of the ’80s remember hair bands, Brit pop, John Hughes and suffocating cuffs. Hipsters of today yearn for the look as bulky high tops jump back into secretive fashion. For the children of yore, here’s your shot of homesickness. For the fashion-forward of now, here’s your education.

(1). Buy unattractive jeans. Almost any jeans will do, but if they aren’t ugly, they aren’t authentic. Acid-washed jeans are best. Avoid boot-cuts, although it can be done.

(2). Pinch the cuff. Pull the bottom cuff of the jeans tight around your ankle, so the back of the seam is taut against the Achilles tendon. Some slack in the fabric will be left in the front of the pant leg. Pinch the slack at its base, near the front of the ankle. Half of the cuff should now be tight around the ankle, while the other half is movable and free to work with.

(3). Press the slack flat. Without releasing the pinch, fold the loose down and press it flat against the ankle. Using your index finger, hold the fold in place. Use your thumb to hold the end of the slack down. The cuff should be totally wrapped and continue to feel as tight as it did when you first pinched it off.

(4). Roll it. With both hands, on each side of the pant leg, squeeze your fingers just inside the seam and your thumb above it. One of your hands should be holding the fold in place while rolling. Maneuver the other hand around the inside of the cuff as you roll, so it’s even. A minimum of two rolls up the leg is needed to grasp the tight roll in place. Three rolls and you might as well be using glue. That tight roll isn’t going anywhere.

(5). Do again Steps 1 through 4 on the other leg.

(6). Rock the tight roll all day long, maintenance free. You’ll seem hot, and people will tell you that you look hot. After all, it’s not called the “tight roll” only because it’s close-fitting.

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