Skin-tight acid-washed jeans were also popular in the 1980s with most heavy metal bands, and in particular those in the thrash metal scene, such as Anthrax, Megadeth, Metallica and Slayer. This was the trend for those who did not wear spandex, which was popular with the dominant heavy metal scene at the time.
Like a lot of 80s trends, this did not start in the eighties but it was very popular then. It was so popular. You could buy jeans that already were tapered at the ankle. You could jeans that had snaps or zippers at the ankle to make them narrower.
High Waisted Jeans
Lovingly referred to as “mom jeans,” these high waisted jeans were fashionable in the 1980s among middle aged women as well as those who wanted a figure flattering cut that had a rock-n-roll feel.
Fit: Loose, baggy fits were very popular, especially for men. This was a stark contrast to the tight fits of the 80s. Rise: High-waisted "mom jeans" were common early in the decade. Low-rise styles gained popularity later, especially for women.
The skinny jean was the “it” pant for the whole decade, until the 1970's when they were swapped out for bell-bottoms. This dip in popularity was short-lived however. Skinnies made a comeback in the 1980's via another counterculture movement: punk.
Wide-leg jeans, colloquially called baggy pants, are a style of clothing popular from the early 1980s to the 2000s, and also during a revival in the 2020s.
The skinnies trend continued to lose traction for most of the 90s (think high-rise, straight-legged "mom jeans" sported by the casts of Beverly Hills 90210 and Friends) but made a strong comeback in 2005 when our aforementioned fashion sweetheart, Kate, wore a pair out on a date with then-boyfriend and former front-man ...
It was during the 50s that skinny jeans as we know it started to appear. The gender-neutral and minimal style of the social movement Beatniks created a perfect stage for skinny jeans. The piece was worn mostly by men, becoming synonymous with rock n' roll and the “bad boy” culture.
Popular in the late '80s and early '90s, mom jeans got their name from their association with the typical suburban mom's wardrobe of that era.
In the 1980s, denim managed to sneak itself into other subcultures such as punk, grunge and rock. New finishes such as acid wash became popular and the denim skirt and ripped jeans make their mark in the sector too.
Just like sheer tights, leggings and stirrup pants were quite popular in the 80s. Olivia Newton-John was the one to kickstart this trend along with her apparition in Grease. Wearing skin-tight leggings made you look both comfortable and hot.
The high-rise, high-waist mom jeans are the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to 80s jeans. High-waisted pants were an iconic part of 70s fashion, but the style then was far more restrictive, with super cinched-in waists and tight-fitting to the hips and thighs.
Are they still in style? Fortunately for millennials, the answer is yes—even if TikTok tells you otherwise. Granted, today's best skinny jeans have evolved since the late aughts. For one, the skinny jean silhouette has softened.
Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars were a staple of 80's fashion, just as they are today, and this short piece by Roger House provides an interesting retrospective on an iconic shoe that has now been around for over 100 years.
Skin-tight acid-washed jeans were also popular in the 1980s with most heavy metal bands, and in particular those in the thrash metal scene, such as Anthrax, Megadeth, Metallica and Slayer. This was the trend for those who did not wear spandex, which was popular with the dominant heavy metal scene at the time.
JEWELRY STYLES
As the decade opened, the focus in jewelry was on gold and diamonds. Thin gold chains were worn in multiples as bracelets and, in various lengths, as necklaces, often with gold charms and small gem-set pendants.
Skinny jeans have been a fashion staple for years, known for their form-fitting silhouette that hugs the legs from waist to ankle. Unlike mom jeans, skinny jeans are designed to be tight-fitting throughout, creating a sleek and streamlined look.
Then, Chrisman-Campbell theorizes, as the reign of skinny jeans came to an end, pandemic lockdowns accelerated the spread of wide pants. People stuck at home opted for comfort. Of course, this is a tidy story, and Chrisman-Campbell points out that making sense of trends isn't an exact science.
Skinny jeans offer a tight fit from waist to ankle, often using stretchy fabric to accommodate movement. Ideal for a casual, youthful look, they're the go-to for the fashion forward man. In contrast, slim jeans offer a more relaxed fit with a straight-leg design.
1960s: Twiggy was one of the most influential fashion icons of the era and pioneered the return to extremely thin, androgynous bodies. 1970s: Slender, athletic bodies overtook the 1970s as women became more empowered. Flat stomachs and slim hips were emphasized.
Ripped jeans were popular in the late 1980s during the hard rock/heavy metal era and in the 1990s and 2000s during the grunge era. The punk culture also has been known to be fans of fabrics with various blemishes.
Classic medium-wash denim was favored in the early '90s by celebrities like Cindy Crawford and Princess Diana, who wore them in a high rise with a tapered leg, paired with tailored blazers. This style is affectionately referred to as the mom jean today. As the decade moved on, mid-rise became more dominant.
For the same reason food companies keep shrinking the amount of product in their packaging. For one, the thin fabric costs less. Then thinner fabric is easier and quicker to sew. And of course, the jeans will wear out faster and then the customer must buy a new pair.