Women's pants of the 1980s were, in general, worn with long inseams, and by 1982 the flared jeans of the 70s had gone out of fashion in favor of straight leg trousers.
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.
The flair of flares
The nineties were all about loose and oversized silhouettes. Flared and wide-leg pants were popular since the 1970s, but the style made a comeback in the 1990s. Their ability to transform any outfit makes flare pants popular.
Flare jeans first entered the fashion scene in the 1960s and really permeated the mainstream in the '70s, becoming the go-to style for musicians and subcultures galore. In the '00s, flare jeans entered the zeitgeist again to become a go-to, often paired with crop tops and layered under skirts.
Bold Colors and Patterns: Bright hues, geometric patterns, and neon colors were popular. Oversized Silhouettes: Think oversized blazers, shoulder pads, and baggy jeans. Denim: Acid-wash jeans and denim jackets were staples. Athleisure: Tracksuits and sporty styles were trendy, often paired with high-top sneakers.
Bright colors were a defining feature of the 80s, so look for pieces in your wardrobe that have a neon or pastel hue. It could be a dress, skirt, or colorful accessories like a scarf or handbag.
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, ...
The flared leg jeans were first introduced back in the 1980's. Since then, their popularity has only increased. In fact, they are the perfect example of an 80's fashion trend that has not lost its appeal.
1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s
Often made of denim, they flared out from the bottom of the calf, and had slightly curved hems and a circumference of 18 inches (46 cm) at the bottom of each leg opening. They were usually worn with Cuban-heeled shoes, clogs, or Chelsea boots.
The spring/summer 2025 runways were also full of flare denim: Chloé, Stella McCartney, and Diesel featured jeans with a slight flare on their hemlines. While the trend may evoke memories of high school past (here's looking at you millennials), they've become a classic silhouette that is highly versatile and elevated.
Bell Bottoms: Are characterized by a significant flare from the knee downwards, creating a wide, bell-like shape around the feet. Flare Jeans: Have a more subtle flare that starts from the knee, offering a less dramatic widening than bell bottoms.
New Wave, Grunge, & More
Our 80's and 90's department boasts plenty of electric neon colors, floral prints, acid-washed denim, flannels, puffy shoulders, static patterns, animal print, babydoll dresses, rock tee shirts and so much more.
Parachute pants played a pivotal role in 1980s fashion. In 2024, parachute pants and clothing began to fashionably re-emerge, primarily in the celebrity world.
Moms have been coming through with iconic looks since day one, and their late-80s penchant for comfortable, high-waisted jeans is no exception.
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.
True to their name, women's flared jeans are fitted through the waist, hips and thighs before they flare out from the knees down. They rose to fame in the '70s—and enjoyed a reprise in the '90s—before making a comeback now.
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.
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.
Flares never really took off until the mid-60s. Sonny and Cher, seen here in June 1965, helped popularise the look in the US through their TV appearances. It is a misconception to think that all late-60s hippies wore flares. Those who wore clothes favoured a straight-leg trouser.
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.
Popular 80s fashion trends included bold colors, oversized silhouettes, shoulder pads, neon clothing, and chunky jewelry.
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.