What was a popular item in the 80s?

Author: Prof. Evelyn Franecki Jr.  |  Last update: Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Gum with the consistency and heft of chewing tobacco—it was shredded and came in a big aluminum foil pouch—Big League Chew felt somehow more significant than mere bubble gum. Created by a Swiss watchmaker in the early '80s, these colorful and tubular timepieces became essential for any '80s kid who wanted to stand out.

What were the most popular things in the 80s?

If you've ever wondered, “What was popular in the 80s?” then know that neon colors, big hair, the Brat-Pack, iconic toys and games like Nintendo and Transformers, as well as Madonna, Duran Duran, and MTV videos helped define the decade.

What was trendy in the 1980s?

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.

What was the big thing in the 80s?

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 is the 80s remembered for?

It was a period marked by defining events that continue to resonate. The Soviet Union began to collapse, AIDS emerged as a deadly epidemic, and work began on a little thing called the Internet. The decade is also remembered for its contributions to pop culture, which included the debut of MTV.

Classic Foods Of The 1980s!

What were the big collectible items of the 1980's?

10 Valuable 1980s Collectibles
  • 1980-D Lincoln Cent. ...
  • 1986 Bo Jackson Rookie Card. ...
  • 1988 Happy Holidays Barbie. ...
  • 1980s Apple Memorabilia. ...
  • 1982 P Error Quarter. ...
  • 1984 Original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 Comic Book. ...
  • 1980s Cabbage Patch Dolls. ...
  • 1985 Super Mario Bros.

What candy was popular in the 80's?

The 1980's were filled with fun candy introductions like Nerds, Cow Tales, Big League Chew and many more iconic confections. Break out the Rubik's Cube and cassette tapes and relive this awesome era! BarNone Chocolate Bar 1.48 oz.

What should I wear to an 80s party?

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.

What was cool in the 1980s?

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 toy came out in the 80s?

Rainbow Brite dolls are one of those toys that practically every kid in the '80s owned, and it's easy to see why: They had colorful iridescent outfits, yarn hair, and a plush-filled body that made them basically indestructible.

What materials were popular 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 80s kids do for fun?

Colour TV was common in every house and there were many more children's programmes. Writing letters to other children, called penpals, became very popular in the 1980s. Children still spent most of their time outside playing traditional games and on their bikes.

What did people collect in the 80s?

Popular 80s Toys and Games to Collect

Joe action figures, and My Little Pony probably come to mind. These toys weren't just fun to play with; they were also well-made and have become highly collectible.

What came out in the 80s?

Some of those include the fantasy epic (NeverEnding Story, Princess Bride), teen movies (Breakfast Club, Weird Science), the new corporate overlord (Wall Street, Trading Places), women making strides in the workplace (Baby Boom, Working Girl), and rising hip-hop culture (Krush Groove, Do the Right Thing).

Who to dress up as from the 80s?

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.

How to dress like the 80s female?

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 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 was worn in the 80s?

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.

What was a popular snack in the 80s?

They may not have looked like much, but Fruit Wrinkles were a pretty tasty snack for the '80s. A sister product to the famed Fruit Roll-Up, the bite-sized bits were supposed to look like wrinkly fruit.

What 80s candy we were obsessed with?

Bones Puzzle Candy With Coffin. Foods you could play with were the best. Mr. Bones came in a plastic coffin filled with little PEZ-like candy pieces that you could assemble into a full skeleton.

Were Skittles a thing in the 80s?

Skittles, Skittles bite sized candies, taste the rainbow of fruit flavor! 1986 TV commercial has a great jingle! Skittles have always been my favorite candy! Swipe ⬅️ to see a 1984 Skittles package from my retro food collection... when green was still lime, instead of apple!

What was the most popular gift in 1980?

1980: Rubik's Cube

The twisty-turny puzzle cube became really popular in 1980 when it debuted at the New York toy fair. The toy was immediately popular, and about 100 million cubes were sold in the next three years.

What was the biggest thing in the 80s?

From left, clockwise: The first Space Shuttle, Columbia, lifts off in 1981; US president Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev ease tensions between the two superpowers, leading to the end of the Cold War; The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 is considered to be one of the most momentous events of the 1980s; ...

What was the hottest toy of 1980?

The Top 10 Hottest Toys to Ask for in the 80's
  • Rubik's Cube. This toy goes out to all of those problem solvers out there. ...
  • Master of the Universe. Any He-Man fans out there? ...
  • Cabbage Patch Kids. ...
  • Transformers. ...
  • Teddy Ruxpin. ...
  • Nintendo Entertainment System. ...
  • Mutant Teenage Ninja Turtles.

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