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Zeitgeist fashion has a tendency to borrow from different decades. The 1980s is no exception, as it saw the birth of MTV.
Iconic movies like Flashdance and Footloose started the dance crazes of the period, “Take on Me” was a smash hit in America, and fashion trends mirrored our need to express our personalities.
Vivid colors, patterns, and over-exaggerated silhouettes were embraced, so it’s not hard to understand why the ‘80s was a critical point in fashion history.
Looking to showcase that MTV flair? If so, I’ve rounded up a few ‘80s outfit ideas for trendsetters to consider.
This guide will cover several topics, including:
- Women’s ‘80s outfits
- ‘80s outfits men’s ideas
- ‘80s inspired outfits
- Aesthetic ‘80s outfits
What Makes Up An ‘80s Outfit?
When MTV debuted its first-ever music video in 1981, it marked the inevitable end of disco. At the time, we traded our bell bottoms for parachute pants and high-rise jeans instead. And during this pivotal era, music and fashion became intertwined.
This decade is commonly associated with loud colors, bright patterns, and exaggerated silhouettes.
If you take inspo from Dirty Dancing, Madonna, and Full House when searching for ‘80s outfit ideas, then you’re definitely on the right track.
History Of The ’80s
As previously mentioned, the 1980s marked a pivotal time for fashion. The disco-themed trends of the former decade were considered out-of-style, thanks to the rise of MTV.
Pop culture became mainstream as we looked towards television shows and movies for style inspiration.
Music played a crucial role in the evolution of fashion, as celebs such as Madonna, Michael Jackson, and Elton John became our role models.
Aside from ‘normie’ style, ‘80s outfit ideas involved dozens of core aesthetics interlinked with music, including new wave, rock, and hair metal.
What Are Some Popular ‘80s Outfit Ideas?
Care for some OOTD inspo? If so, I’ll share some popular ‘80s outfit ideas for trendsetters to copy. I’ll also provide a few fashion tips and recommend retailers for those interested.
5 ‘80s Outfit Ideas
There’s definitely no shortage of cute ‘80s outfits on the internet. Due to the huge list of stylish ensembles to choose from, it’s totally normal to feel overwhelmed. If you’re in the mood for something simple, I recommend this classic OOTD.
Composed of a yellow graphic shirt, high-rise jeans, multi-color socks, and lace-up sneakers, this ‘80s outfits ideas’ contender exudes the right amount of MTV finesse.
The happy-go-lucky attitude of the 1980s was a nauseating time for fashion, at least, for some alternative trendsetters.
If John Bender and Allison Reynolds happen to be your style icons, then this ‘80s outfit ideas’ guide heavily recommends this ensemble.
Composed of jeans, a flannel button-down, a black shirt, and a pair of Doc Martens, it’s the kind of look that will strike fear in the ‘normie’ group at your high school.
Varsity and parachute jackets had a chokehold on mens ‘80s outfits. Case in point, there’s no harm in copping one or two if you’re trying to mirror this decade.
This puffy coat features a geometric pattern and the Marlboro logo on the bottom. Accentuated with light-wash jeans and a pair of white sneaks, it’s the perfect look to don during the spring season.
Overalls were considered a closet staple in ‘80s outfits women fashion. So obviously, it would be a disservice for me to not include an example on my list.
Composed of denim dungarees, a white baggy T-shirt, a bucket hat, and a pair of low-rise Converse shoes, this ensemble strikes an even balance between ‘retro finesse’ and ‘streetwear.’
If I was to describe ‘80s fashion in a few words, ‘mature’ wouldn’t be one of them. The decade’s love affair of bright colors and patterns is rather playful in aesthetic, which doesn’t bode well with conservative dressers.
If you prefer something more ‘professional,’ this ‘80s outfit ideas’ guide suggests trying on this stylish OOTD.
Featuring a sherpa jacket, mid-wash pants, a matching button-down, and a pair of suede boots, it exudes the right amount of sophistication while staying true to the decade’s trends.
Fashion Tips To Avoid With ‘80s Outfits
I made sure to include only the best ‘80s outfit ideas within my list. Trust me, there are dozens of dated looks floating around the internet, and I hope that they never resurface in the coming years.
Unless you plan on attending a costume party, here are some fashion tips to avoid when it comes to ‘80s outfit ideas.
- Gigantic bows: Whether it’s for the hair or part of the outfit itself, this bold accessory is best left behind.
- Shoulder pads: The overexaggerated silhouette provided by shoulder pads doesn’t align with this year’s fashion trends.
- The double-tiered skirt: If you plan on wearing a tiered dress, it must involve more than two layers.
Best Places To Buy ‘80s Outfits
Before this ‘80s outfit ideas’ guide ends, I’d like to leave my readers with some recommendations. If you’re ready to shop for ‘80s-inspired attire, here are a few retailers worth checking out.
- Your local thrift store
- Levi’s
- Nasty Gal
- ASOS
- Nordstrom
Final Thoughts
Out of the five ‘80s outfit ideas I’ve featured, I hope that you’ve gathered enough inspiration to put together your own ensemble.
Obviously, my lookbook only includes a few examples out of the thousands of OOTDs offered online. From grunge-esque looks to pastel aesthetics (as seen on Full House), you’re bound to find something that clicks with you.
Looking for more outfit ideas? We’ve got you covered:
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