General women's street-wear worn in the early 1980s included ripped sweatshirts, tights, sweatpants, and tracksuits (especially ones made in velour). Athletic accessories were a massive trend in the early 1980s, and their popularity was largely boosted by the aerobics craze.
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.
How can I style casual 80's outfits for women for different occasions? Wear a long sleeve, crop sweater with a turtleneck. Pair it with yellow or mustard pants that are slightly open. Wear platform shoes, preferably pink. Accessorize with a bag and earrings for a vintage touch. Consider adding a small bun on top.
Casual Wear: Jeans, often acid-washed or ripped, were popular, paired with graphic t-shirts or polo shirts. Athletic Wear: Tracksuits and sneakers became fashionable, influenced by the rise of fitness culture. Blazers and Suits: Similar to women, men wore suits with shoulder pads, often in bold colors or patterns.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Headbands were a favorite among '80s preps, thanks in part to movies like Heathers and Pretty in Pink. Whether they were padded, braided, or covered in satin, headbands added a polished touch to any outfit. These weren't your basic stretchy bands—they were accessories in their own right.
Neon Headband & Wristband Set
Off-the-shoulder styles were super popular during the '80s, along with bows, sash-tied waistlines, and floor-length hems.
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.
Opt for an oversized blazer with shoulder pads, worn over a simple top and skinny jeans, to achieve a powerfully chic 80s look. Style high-waisted mom jeans with a tucked-in graphic tee and sneakers for a casual and retro 80s vibe.
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.
The hair band rocker look is synonymous with the 1980s. 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.
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.
80s fashion icons
Worn alone or jointly, the daring designer labels, including over-the-knee black leather boots, body-con, acid wash jeans, jelly bracelets, beaded necklaces, and shoulder pads, materialized outstanding and modish.
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.
The brand gained a following in the hip-hop community by the late 1970s. In the spring of 1980, Pro-Keds launched a collection of performance cupsole basketball shoes with the marquee model being the Shotmaker. The Shotmaker would be worn by Ralph Sampson and Gerald Henderson.