What did you wear back in the 80s?

Author: Einar Keeling  |  Last update: Thursday, November 13, 2025

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.

What was popular to wear in the 80s?

Shoulder pads, big and vivid earring types, eye-straining textile colors, and acid-washed jeans were the main trend. As a fashion enthusiast, let me give you more details!

What do I wear to an 80s themed party?

The preppy style of the 80s is best depicted by wearing khakis and polos. Women can choose a chic khaki skirt, while men opt for comfy pants. To complete the look, add a bright-colored polo with its collar up and layer on an attractive sweater draped over your shoulders.

What did people in the 80's wear?

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.

How to dress like the 80s female?

Power dressing was big in the 80's also big shoulder pads, baggy high waisted jeans,coloured belts,big plastic earrings,wide elastic belts mostly black,big jackets in bright colours,pink makeup,glitter. Geometric patterns. Check out anything made in the 80s for tv and movies and your question will be answered.

20 Items from the 1980s That Failed!

What hairstyle was popular in the 80's?

Hairstyles in the 1980s included the mullet, tall mohawk hairstyles, jheri curls, flattops, and hi-top fades, which became popular styles. Amongst women, large hair-dos, puffed-up styles, permanent waves, and softer cuts typified the decade.

What is the dress code for the 80's?

If you need to dress up for an 80s party, look for baggy, off-the-shoulder tops with leggings, athletic wear, parachute pants, and anything in bold, bright colors.

What shoes did the 80s wear?

The 10 Shoe Styles of the 80s
  • Reebok Pumps. It never got better than these shoes. ...
  • Air Jordans. Air Jordans basically created what is today referred to as the sneaker market. ...
  • Doc Martens. ...
  • Saucony Jazz. ...
  • Jellies. ...
  • Vans Classic Slip Ons. ...
  • Moccasins. ...
  • Adidas Campus.

What was pretty in the 80s?

The eighties was the decade of MORE: Big hair, loud fashion, neon color, fast cars, mega-hold hair gel, and acid-washed jeans, the more rips, the better. Paradoxically, the eighties beauty rules were still about deprivation. When it came to the female body, LESS was still more.

What to wear when you are 80?

When choosing clothes for elderly ladies, look for versatility in your garments, for example: Loose-fit skirts with elegant prints and pleats that spread easily while sitting. Trousers that pull on easily with back waist elastication for added comfort. Cardigans without buttons that are warm and easy to put on.

What color is 80s style?

Bright neon pink, yellow, blue, and light green hues are used in this color scheme, reminiscent of the '80s and its "bigger is better" fashion trends.

How to dress for 80s weather?

In 80-degree weather, removable layers are your friend! A lightweight jacket or sweater is ideal for warm weather activities like cycling, rock climbing , or hiking. Make sure your base layer is made from a breathable, moisture-wicking fabric like Tencel or a polyblend.

What was cool in the 80s?

17 things you'll remember from the 80s
  • Garbage Pail Kids. It combined the nerdy appeal of baseball card collecting with the desire to be the grossest person in your social circle.
  • Trapper Keeper. ...
  • Atari. ...
  • Big League Chew. ...
  • Swatch Watch. ...
  • Jellies. ...
  • Cabbage Patch Dolls. ...
  • Walkman.

What was a big trend in the 80s?

The 80s were known for their bold colors, chunky jewelry, and big hair. It was a time when fashion and culture were all about standing out and making a statement.

How to wear 80s casual?

If you're putting together a casual look for women, think high-waisted jeans, turtlenecks, velvet blazers, and loose dresses with sneakers, thick heels, or round-toed boots. For men, early '80s casual looks included rolled straight-legged jeans with slouched socks, polo shirts, and polyester button ups.

What was big in the 80's?

The 1980s, often remembered for its materialism and consumerism, also saw the rise of the "yuppie," an explosion of blockbuster movies and the emergence of cable networks like CNN and MTV, which introduced the music video and launched the careers of many iconic artists.

What was a popular outfit in the 80s?

Velour, velvet, and polyester were popular fabrics used in clothes, especially button-up and v shirts. Looser pants remained popular during this time, being fairly wide but straight, and tighter shirts were especially popular, sometimes in a cropped athletic style.

What did womens makeup look like in the 80s?

1980s makeup elements

Foundation was applied in layers and was typically two shades lighter than the natural skin tone (like Madonna's look from the 1987 AMAs). Blush was a must in the '80s, applied in bright pinks and deep plums at an angle from the hollow of the cheek to the temple.

How to dress like you're in the 80s?

Here are some simple outfit ideas that capture the essence of the 80s using normal clothes.
  1. Match Cycling Shorts With Formalwear. ...
  2. Combine a Biker Leather Jacket with Denim Jeans. ...
  3. Wear Bold, Bright Colors. ...
  4. Pair Chunky Knitwear With Wide-leg Pants. ...
  5. Style Oversized Blazers with Shoulder Pads. ...
  6. Wear High Waisted Mom Jeans.

What kind of jewelry was worn in the 80s?

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.

What jeans were popular in the 80s?

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.

What was Jelly Shoes of the 1980s?

Jelly shoes, or jellies, are a type of shoe made of PVC plastic. Jelly shoes come in a large variety of brands and colours, and the material is often infused with glitter. Its name comes from the French company called Jelly Shoes, founded by Tony Alano and Nicolas Guillon in 1980 in Paris.

How did females dress in the 80's?

Popular 80s fashion trends included bold colors, oversized silhouettes, shoulder pads, neon clothing, and chunky jewelry. Women also embraced DIY fashion, customizing denim and creating handmade accessories.

What shoes were popular in the 80's?

Top Shoe Styles of the 80s
  • Rise of the Reebok. While they're still part of the shoe game today, Reeboks have seen quite the decline since their 80s-prime time. ...
  • Converse All-Star & Vans Classics. ...
  • Doc Martens. ...
  • Jellies. ...
  • Huaraches & Sperrys. ...
  • Air Jordans & Adidas.

What were the rules of 80s fashion?

Fashion of the 1980s
  • Aerobic Fashion - Sporty in Everyday Life. The fitness fashion trend continues unabated in the eighties. ...
  • Bright colors, geometric patterns - the bright mid-eighties. Around 1982 the intensity of colors in the fashion world increases noticeably. ...
  • Faux fur, leather and jeans - jackets for every occasion.

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