The 80s was a decade full of style, with bold colours and silhouettes everywhere. With trends ranging from coloured leggings, leather trousers and ripped jeans to shiny oversized jackets, the style icons of those years ranged from Joan Jett to Joan Collins.
Yes, ripped jeans became popular in the 1980s, particularly among punk and alternative subcultures. They were often associated with a rebellious attitude and were worn by musicians and celebrities. The trend was part of a broader movement that embraced distressed clothing as a form of self-expression.
In the 80s, the baggy, high-waisted jeans we know as mom jeans were just called jeans. They were worn by everyone from models to pop stars. But as they went out of style in the 90s, the baggy, blue, and belted high-rise jeans had become a staple in the wardrobe of suburban moms instead.
So, ripped jeans were often worn by poor people who couldn't afford to buy new ones." By the '60s and '70s, though, ripped jeans became a more artful look, embraced by the hippie and counterculture movements (Rabinovitch-Fox cites James Dean and Marlon Brando as two film icons who sported the style).
It was an era characterized by oversized silhouettes, eye-catching patterns, and attention-grabbing accessories. Shoulder pads, neon hues, and parachute pants were not just trends—they were statements, reflecting the exuberance and optimism of the time.
Women's apparel in the late 1980s included jackets (both cropped and long), coats (both cloth and fake fur), reversible inside-out coats (leather on one side, fake fur on the other), rugby sweatshirts, sweater dresses, taffeta and pouf dresses, baby doll dresses worn with capri leggings or bike shorts, slouch socks, ...
Ripped jeans are a versatile wardrobe staple that can be styled in various ways to suit different occasions. For a casual look, pair them with a simple white tee and sneakers, adding a denim jacket or oversized cardigan for extra layers.
In the 1980s, denim miniskirts—with a pencil skirt silhouette—became a popular teenage fashion.
You would know what you were doing in 87. Jared Whitaker Ripped jeans became popular in the late 60s/early 70s. Hippies wore them, and sometimes made patches to go over them.
Moms have been coming through with iconic looks since day one, and their late-80s penchant for comfortable, high-waisted jeans is no exception.
Recreating the look of a famous icon is a popular choice for many attending an 80s themed party. Baywatch, Ghostbusters, Madonna, Prince and Pulp Fiction to name but a few.
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. Leg style: Straight leg and boot-cut styles were prevalent.
Distressed jeans are a type of jeans that have been purposely damaged or ripped. The damage can be in the form of holes, fraying, or even fading. Distressed jeans are usually made to look like they've been worn for a long time. Distressed jeans work for all body shapes and for both casual and dressy occasions.
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.
The 80s was a decade full of style, with bold colours and silhouettes everywhere. With trends ranging from coloured leggings, leather trousers and ripped jeans to shiny oversized jackets, the style icons of those years ranged from Joan Jett to Joan Collins.
Few decades captured that excitement like the 1980s, one of the trendiest and flashiest times in fashion. It was all about big and bright, from high-top sneakers to hot pink shades, striped polo shirts, flipped-up brims, and baggy jean jackets.
Lace and transparent dresses
Madonna was also recognized for her fondness of lace and sheer textiles in her fashion, which she often wore in the 1980s. Her outfits included dramatic, striking designs that People often accessorized with vivid lip and eye colors.
If you're wondering if ripped jeans are still in style in 2023/2024, yes, they are! We will continue to live with the distressed denim look, as it's a trend that shows no sign of disappearing from the runways. Ripped jeans have been in vogue for years and are a street fashion you'll see with every step.
For those stained, torn or otherwise unwearable textiles, clothing recycling is the answer. Find a drop-off spot near you by adding your ZIP Code in our Recycling Locator.
Casual should be professional, but it can still be comfortable. Think clean and presentable, and avoid ripped jeans, graphic T-shirts and loungewear. Dark denim and chinos in neutral colors work across the board here, typically in a more tailored or fitted look.
Bleached and ripped jeans or black leather pants will bring back all those '80s vibes! To complete your outfit, throw on a tight t-shirt with ripped-off sleeves or a spandex tank top - then accessorize with a long-haired wig for that iconic hair metal style.
The decade, characterized by eye-straining fabric colors and patterns, acid wash jeans, shoulder pads, massive, dramatic earrings, pearls, and big hair, had people confidently expressing themselves with their Style. Big, vibrant, and brilliant certainly capture the essence of 1980s fashion.
The 1980s was a decade of excess, and fashion was no exception. Women's 80s fashion was characterized by bold colors, oversized silhouettes, and a fearless attitude towards mixing patterns and textures. It was a time when bigger was better, and subtlety took a back seat to statement-making ensembles.