The Eighties — the era of living life in excess. There was nothing “too much” at a time when people are all about pushing boundaries and exploring their limits. 1980s fashion has become a visual representation of that.
Having birthed numerous style icons such as David Bowie, Cyndi Lauper, Michael Jackson, Princess Diana and of course the ever stellar, Madonna, you can argue that fashion during the eighties was at its finest and wildest!
Here are some of the most iconic 80s fashion trends for women.
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14. Ruffles And Ruches
If the hair at that time was any indication, people from the eighties love volume. What better way to incorporate volume to your 80s look than through some fun ruffles and ruches. It automatically adds some texture to an otherwise bland silhouette.
13. Graphic Shirts
Wearing a graphic tee is one of the more casual looks of the eighties that we never grew tired of. A simple round-neck top with a graphic illustration or some text printed in bold fonts plastered in the middle is still fashionable to this very day.
12. Neons
80s style was all about standing out and grabbing everyone’s attention, and nothing makes you stand-out more than wearing a bright as heck neon outfit!
11. Crazy Patterns And Prints
You can easily spot classic 80s clothes by the crazy amount of patterns and prints on the fabric. The kookier the prints are, the more powerful the 80s vibe.
10. Military Fashion
As music and fashion are often interconnected, one of the most iconic black 80s fashion for women was Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation outfit. The world went gaga over Janet’s sleek black outfit with a military-style jacket.
9. Lace
Another fashion trend brought about by the music scene was Madonna’s use of lace in her 80s outfits. Madonna’s provocative image transformed the daintiness and innocence usually associated with the material to something daring and sexy.
8. Power Suits
As women became more empowered to take on the corporate world during the eighties, power suits also became popular amongst working women. Icons like Princess Diana and Brooke Shields took a liking for this trend.
7. Sequins, Studs, And Bedazzles
If colours aren’t enough to grab attention, sequins, studs and bedazzles will surely do the trick! Adding them to any outfit was one of the 80s quick fixes to sparkle up any party.
6. Denim Jackets
Nothing made you look more chill and down-to-earth in the eighties than an oversized denim jacket. This item has become such a fashion staple that you probably have one lying around somewhere in your closet right now.
5. High-Waisted jeans
When Guess launched their hugely successful marketing campaign during the eighties, every woman wanted a pair of their infamous high-waisted denim jeans. These jeans were often paired with classic leather belts and loose tops for a casual chic look.
4. Aerobic Gear
Upon the invention of Lycra, tights and leotards became the standard clothes for aerobic classes for those active 80s women. Aerobic gear was such a big trend that it found its way back in the present in what we more commonly know now as Athleisure.
3. Scrunchies
The 80s was obsessed with all things hair! Hair gel, hair products, hair spray, and hair accessories.
Scrunchies came in all shapes and sizes. They were cute enough to wear on your wrist and functional enough to tie all that crazy hair up during the summer.
2. Leather
From Joan Jett’s glam rock black leather pants, to Michael Jackson’s iconic red thriller jacket, leather clothing was the zeitgeist of the 80s. You could easily turn a simple look to glam by incorporating some leather in your outfit.
1. Shoulder Pads
You cannot reference 80s fashion without mentioning shoulder pads. As wide-broad shoulders became an image of strength and power, women had shoulder pads sewn onto their party dresses to stand out as much as possible.
This fashion trend had its resurgence in the late 2000s and early 2010s when the fashion house Balmain created stunning runway looks using shoulder pads.
Final Thoughts
If there’s one thing that the eighties should teach you about fashion is that you should never be afraid to go beyond your comfort zone and experiment a little. Play with colours and prints. Have fun with some ruffles and sequins. There’s nothing wrong with wanting a bit of attention from time to time!
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