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.
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.
The eighties were among the most experimental decades in fashion history due to legendary fashion icons like Princess Diana, Madonna, Joan Collins, and Boy George. Here are some of the best fashion icons from the 1980s that will always be in our hearts.
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.
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.
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.
And 1980s fashion was just as novel—Lycra clung to bodies revealing curves like never before and the power suit was born. A particularly evocative editorial from Vogue's October 1985 issue summed up the moment perfectly.
1980s fashions for the young consisted of a series of trends that were often defined by the wearer's musical tastes. Videos on Much Music and MTV popularized every look, from hair band rocker chic and New Wave to Pop and Rap.
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.
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.
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; ...
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.
Make your own 80s outfit by wearing bright colors, a loose top, and tight-fitting pants. Thrift for 80s fashion staples like acid-washed jeans, jumpsuits, and denim jackets. Channel the spirit of the 80s with a teased hairstyle, sweatband, and heavy, bright makeup.
Casual fashion in the '80s saw men dressing in dad jeans, time and again, with a similar denim jacket. T-shirts and wobbly shirts were also all the rage, even as leather jackets and sweaters acted as the preferred outerwear.
It saw the fall of the Berlin Wall; this started the end of the Cold War and the end of Communism in Eastern Europe. The "eighties" are also well known for their extreme fashions, such as "big hair", New Wave, punk rock, funk, or preppies. Rap music first started to get big in the 80s.
Venue Décor: 80s decoration ideas
Other 80s party decorations ideas include cassette tapes, Rubik's cubes, and posters featuring legendary 80s bands and movies. To add a touch of nostalgia, set up a corner with vintage video game consoles like Pac-Man and Donkey Kong for some retro gaming fun.
Rad/Radical: Used to describe something cool or awesome. Tubular: Another term for cool or excellent. Totally tubular: An exaggerated way to express something is really cool. Gag me with a spoon: An expression of disgust or annoyance.
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.
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.
Men's casual attire in the 1980s resembled the laid-back fashion showcased in Ferris Bueller's Day Off: rolled jeans or khakis, cozy cardigans, basic tees, denim or bomber jackets, and slip-on loafers.
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.