Beauty consisted around the fitness and nutrition craze in the 80s, encouraging athletically toned bodies, bodysuits, and tracksuit bottoms. Supermodel and bodybuilding became a sensation, along with leg warmers and big hair.
Eighties' beauty ideals
They were tall, slender, and strong. A more muscular look for women was continuing to emerge due to advances in fitness and, in part, the feminist spirit. Muscle tone signified strength, capability, and independence.
The 1980s are a decade that we frequently resort to whenever it relates to glitter and fashion freedom. 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.
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.
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.
Rubik's Cube
Few managed to solve it, but every kid in the '80s was obsessed with this cube-shaped puzzle.
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.
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.
Video games saw a huge rise in the 1980s, with standup machines like “Centipede” and, “Pac Man” (both released in 1980) and “Street Fighter” (released in 1988) sending kids and teens to mall arcades in droves.
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.
Vibrant eyeliners, neon eyeshadows, and coloured mascaras were used to create dramatic, larger-than-life 80s eye makeup and lipstick colours like fuchsia, plum and bubblegum pink were lacquered onto the lips to create vivid 80s pouts. Everything looked lifted and dynamic in the 80s, especially when it came to blush.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Bunny is an outdated slang term used to describe “a pretty, appealing, or alluring young woman, often one ostensibly engaged in a sport or similar activity.” For example, an attractive woman at the beach might have been referred to as a “beach bunny.” This phrase was popular in the '70s but quickly fell out of favor.
Yo suddenly has become slang for “hello,” “howdy,” “what's going on?” or “hey!” It even has crossover appeal, becoming popular among both blue-collar men and young urban professionals. Example: “Yo, Vinnie, I got da stuff. C'mere!” Or, “Yo, Jennifer, let's do brunch.”
Beyond Music: The Synthwave Aesthetic
Synthwave extends far beyond the music—it's a full-blown aesthetic that embraces the visual style of the '80s. Let's explore some of the key elements of the Synthwave aesthetic.