80s shoes for women were white sneakers, canvas flats, bow flats, huarache sandals, basic pump heels, wedges, strappy evening sandals, and loafers. For the counter cultures (rockers, hip hop, pop) there were also Doc Martin boots, slouchy boots, moto boots, and spiked heels.
Jelly shoes, or jellies, are a type of shoe made of PVC plastic. Jelly shoes come in a large variety of brands and colours, and the material is often infused with glitter. Its name comes from the French company called Jelly Shoes, founded by Tony Alano and Nicolas Guillon in 1980 in Paris.
Check out our collection of other rare vintage 1970s and 80s running shoes and sneakers, sportswear and athletic brands including Avia, Pro-Keds, KangaROOS, Etonic, PONY, Autry Action Shoes, Bob Wolf, AAU, Tred 2, Braun Bilt, Pro-Specs, Spalding, Mizuno, Mitre and more.
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.
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.
Popular shoes in the latter half of the seventies included Mary Janes, knee-high boots with rounded toes, platform shoes, sandals and loafers, all of which were far more restrained than in previous years.
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.
The brand, founded in 1935, is known for designing the first boat shoe with a non-slip sole, which was, perhaps unsurprisingly, created to be worn on actual boat decks. The shoes first gained notoriety beyond actual sailors during the '60s, '70s, and '80s when they became popular among the likes of JFK and Paul Newman.
Beginning in the 1980s, various items of Nike clothing became staples of mainstream American youth fashion, especially tracksuits, shell suits, baseball caps, Air Jordans, Air Force 1's, and Air Max running shoes with thick, air cushioned rubber soles and contrasting blue, yellow, green, white, or red trim.
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.
Scrunchies: The MVP of '80s Hair
Made of fabric-covered elastic and available in every color and pattern imaginable, scrunchies were the ultimate hair accessory. Whether you were rocking a high side ponytail, a low bun, or a classic half-up style, there was a scrunchie for every occasion.
Flats, boat shoes, loafers, oxfords and saddle shoes were popular styles associated with this subculture in the 80s, each silhouette exuding an air of sophistication, aligning with the preppy-leaning subculture.
Mary Jane (also known as bar shoes, strap shoes or doll shoes) is an American term (formerly a registered trademark) for a closed, low-cut shoe with one or more straps across the instep.
When dressing for the disco, 70s beauties would dial up their eye makeup with earthy gold tones, sparkling copper eyeshadows and smokey black eyeliner, sometimes adding playful pops of colour like gorgeous greens or powder blues.
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.
A classic 80s look, the off-shoulder top and dress were must-haves in the decade. Women's tops usually had a one-shoulder cut, while dresses were often designed with two straps that draped off the shoulders. In the '80s, women often wore off-shoulder tops with statement jewelry, making for a glamorous look.
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 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.