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A look at what the fashion was like in the 1980s and how it has influenced today’s trends.
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80s fashion trends
The 1980s were a decade of big hair, bright colors, and bold fashion choices. From leg warmers and shoulder pads to acid-wash jeans and everything in between, there were plenty of trends that defined the decade.
Here are some of the most popular 80s fashion trends:
Shoulder pads: This trend became popular thanks to TV shows like Dynasty, which featured characters with power shoulders. Women began accentuating their own shoulders with pads in an attempt to achieve a similar look.
Leg warmers: These were originally worn by dancers to keep their legs warm during rehearsals. However, they quickly caught on as a fashion trend and were often worn with short skirts or dresses.
Acid-wash jeans: Acid-wash jeans were all the rage in the 1980s. The distressed look was achieved by bleaching the fabric to give it a unique appearance.
Members Only jackets: These jackets became popular thanks to ads featuring celebrities like Donald Trump and Bruno Mars wearing them. They were often seen as a status symbol and were often worn by members of country clubs or other exclusive organizations.
80s fashion icons
While the fashion of the 1980s is often remembered as being flashy and garish, there were many different styles popular during the decade. Among the most iconic looks of the 80s were “preppy” fashion, which was made popular by movies like “The Breakfast Club,” and punk fashion, which was popularized by groups like the Ramones.
Preppy fashion in the 1980s was characterized by button-down shirts, cardigans, and skirts with pleats. This look was often accessorized with pearls and other jewelry. Punk fashion, on the other hand, was characterized by ripped jeans, leather jackets, and studded belts. Punk fashion was often associated with rebelliousness and non-conformity.
80s fashion for men
The 1980s was a decade of transition for men’s fashion. The disco style of the 1970s gave way to a more natural look in the early 1980s, and this carried through to the middle of the decade. At the same time, trends from the 1950s and 1960s made a comeback, resulting in a style that was both classic and modern.
Casual attire became more popular in the 1980s, and jeans were a staple of many men’s wardrobes. T-shirts, polo shirts, and sweaters were also common, and many men wore button-down shirts with khaki pants or corduroy pants. Outerwear such as jackets and coats was typically casual as well, with denim jackets being particularly popular.
Sneakers were the footwear of choice for many1980s men, but loafers, boat shoes, and dress shoes were also worn depending on the occasion.
80s fashion for women
The 1980s was a decade that saw a dramatic shift in fashion. Gone were the conservative styles of the 1970s, and women began to experiment with their look. Shoulder pads and power suits became popular, as women embraced their femininity and sexuality. This was also a decade that saw the rise of iconic fashion designers, such as Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, and Ralph Lauren.
80s formal wear
Many people remember the 80s fashion for its loud colors, big hair, and radical outfits. However, the 80s were not just about dressing outrageously; there was a more sophisticated side to fashion in this decade as well. Formal wear in the 80s featured sleek silhouettes and muted colors. This look was achieved by using innovative fabrics such as Lycra and expressions of power through clothing. For women, shoulder pads were used to create a strong look, while men often wore three-piece suits.
80s casual wear
The 1980s saw a diversity of fashion styles emerge for both men and women. This was partly due to the increased availability of clothing options, and partly due to the advent of new materials and design methods.
For men, casual wear became increasingly popular in the 1980s. T-shirts, jeans, and sneakers were all commonly worn items of clothing. Often, these items would be paired with a jacket or windbreaker.
For women, the 80s was a time of experimentation with fashion. Clothing styles ranged from preppy and conservative to flashy and revealing. Many fashion trends from the decade, such as leg warmers and shoulder pads, have since fallen out of style.
80s streetwear
The 1980s were a time of fashion experimentation. Earrings got bigger, hair got higher, and shoulder pads got broader. But one of the most iconic looks to come out of the 80s was streetwear.
Streetwear in the 1980s was all about being comfortable and stylish at the same time. Brands like Nike, Adidas, and Puma dominated the market with their casual yet stylish athletic wear. Tracksuits, windbreakers, and sneakers were all the rage.
denim jeans became a staple in many people’s wardrobes. Acid washed jeans, mom jeans, and stone washed jeans were all popular in the 80s. Jeans were often worn with a T-shirt or tank top.
For those who wanted to dress up a bit more, there were also plenty of options. Dresses with big shoulder pads were popular for women, while men could choose from a variety of suits and dress shirts.
The 1980s was a decade of style experimentation. Streetwear brands like Nike and Adidas rose to prominence, while acid washed jeans and shoulder pads became wardrobe staples.
80s sportswear
In the 1980s, sportswear became a key player in fashion. Brands like Adidas, Puma, and Nike introduced tracksuits, sneakers, and other athletic wear to the mainstream. This was in part due to the popularity of aerobics and other workout trends of the time. But it also reflected a more casual attitude that was emerging in the decade.
80s accessories
The 1980s was a decade of big hair, bright colors, and bold styles. Accessories played a big role in 80s fashion, and many of the most popular pieces are still stylish today. Here are some of the most popular 80s accessories:
-Hair scrunchies: These colorful hair ties were worn in all different styles, from high ponytails to half-up, half-down looks.
-Barrettes and clips: Big and bold barrettes were worn all over the head, often in mismatched pairs. Clips were also popular, especially butterfly clips.
-Rhinestone earrings: Oversized earrings adorned with rhinestones were a must-have accessory in the 80s.
-Lace gloves: Delicate lace gloves were often worn with formal dresses or as part of a costume.
-Belts: Belts were worn around the waist or over the shoulders, and they came in all different styles, from skinny to wide, plain to embellished.
-Tattoos: Fake tattoos were very popular in the 80s, and they came in all different designs, from hearts to stars to anchor bolts.
80s hairstyles
The 1980s was a decade of big hair, bright colors, and bold styles. Whether you favored the long and layered look of Farrah Fawcett or the short and sassy style of Madonna, there was no shortage of hairstyles to choose from in the 1980s. Here are some of the most iconic 80s hairstyles:
-Big hair: teased, sprayed, and styled to perfection, big hair was all the rage in the 1980s. Think Dynasty-esque style with big, bouncy curls or static-charged 80s punk rocker hair.
-Mullets: this short on the sides, long in the back hairstyle was made famous by everyone from hockey players to business men in the 1980s.
-Tight curls: natural tightly curled hair or permed ringlets were a popular choice for African American women in the 1980s.
-Short cuts: cropping your locks into a short, sharp style was a popular choice for both men and women in the1980s. Think Boy George or Brooke Shields.
