Animal Prints: Incorporate animal prints, particularly leopard and zebra patterns, which were popular in 1980s fashion and added a touch of glamour.
Abstract patterns. Squiggly shapes, graphic grids, and pops of Memphis-inspired prints were all the rage in '80s fashion and they've come back into favor in recent years.
Memphis Design is a 1980s design aesthetic characterized by scattered, brightly colored shapes and lines. It typically combines circles and triangles with black-and-white graphic patterns such as polka dots and squiggly lines.
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.
Check Yourself
In the 1970s and '80s, black-and-white checks became synonymous with ska music style in England and America (signifying racial unity) — and are still a fashion staple for hipsters and skate punks today.
At some point in the 80s, animal print became a go-to luxury look.
Gingham was originally a fabric made from cotton blend yarn, but the word has also become synonymous with its associated pattern. The gingham weaving process results in a monochrome check pattern against a white background. The level of transparency varies, depending on the color used.
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.
There are so many animal prints to explore. There's cheetah, cow print, snakeskin, and of course our chic pattern, zebra. Zebra had its unique sense of popularity throughout the 80s living her retro life. Now she's back with grace in 2022.
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.
80s retro futurism fashion emerged as a response to the fascination with the future and rapid technological advancement during the 1980s. Key elements of this trend include bold and vibrant colors, unconventional materials and textures, and abstract patterns.
Although the name buffalo plaid might trick you into thinking it's an American invention, do a little digging and you'll find that the buffalo plaid is actually the MacGregor Red and Black pattern.
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.
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.
In the 1980s, bold was always better. Trends were big and bright, from hair and make-up to shoulder pads and busy prints, and animal patterns in fashion became very popular as many people shopped for leopard-print faux fur coats.
The fashion world of the Eighties is known for its bright colors, big hair and shoulder pads. In the last decade before the Internet and mobile phones, globally successful TV series such as Dynasty and Miami Vice shaped the style of fashion as much as the stars of pop music.
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.
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.
Plaid/Checkered: A fabric with varying bars or stripes of color (sometimes in varying thicknesses) that cross at right angles, also sometimes called tartan. It is traditionally wool or cotton and features both vertical and horizontal bands of color.
An argyle pattern features overlapping diamonds with intersecting diagonal lines on top of the diamonds. They are traditionally knit, not woven, using an intarsia technique.
For an eclectic look, combine checkered tiles with a variety of patterns, such as floral, geometric, and abstract designs. Play with different scales and colors to create a visually stimulating space. A cohesive color palette can help to unify the eclectic mix.