What Did People Wear In The 80s
Sophie Diego
Table of Contents
The strict uniform of the Victorian era and the sleek and simple minimalism of the 21st century is best defined as two pieces of bland bread. Given the grim circumstances posited in these periods, it kind of makes sense.
If anything, it’s seen as a pivotal part of the fashion sandwich, with the 1980s acting as the sweet strawberry spread in the middle.
Considering the era of MTV, the 80s feel like a fever dream for gen-Xers. The pop culture scene was defined by Cabbage Patch Kids, shoulder pads, and the birth of the Macintosh computer.
Likewise, fashion drew heady inspiration from music, as Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, and Michael Jackson became the nation’s style icons. Dressed in bright colors and exaggerated silhouettes, it’s a jarring departure from the decades that came before it.
For those ‘born in the wrong time’ or gearing up for an MTV-themed party, you’re probably wondering what did people wear in the 80s.
Hold onto your shoulder pads as we’ll review some nostalgic trends and outfit ideas that are sure to get you into the groove.
By the end of this article, you’ll hopefully understand:
- What did people in the 80s wear
- Womens 80’s fashion
- 80s fashion men
- 80s outfit ideas
- Iconic 80s outfit moments
What Is 80s Fashion?
80s fashion is anything but subtle. Considered the birthplace of shoulder pads, leg warmers, and scrunchies, the goal was to look young, active, and lively. It was a period that celebrated color and diversity.
80s fashion was also influenced by MTV culture, which included a hundred-some list of popular artists such as Whitney Houston, Public Enemy, and Janet Jackson.
Of course, fashion was partially inspired by movies and television shows such as The Breakfast Club and Full House.
The invention of the internet itself helped to spread 80s fashion following the debut of MTV’s first-ever music video: Video Killed the Radio Star.
Aesthetics started to populate as trends such as athleticwear, power dressing, and early-stage cottage core began to flourish.
History Of The 80s
Ronald Reagan’s election wasn’t enough to snuff out the bright spirit of the 80s. It was a copy and paste of the latter decade, as people knew that the best way to rebel was through music and fashion.
Women began to dominate the workplace, which led to the trend of exaggerated shoulder blades and power suits. Princess Diana fused regal with rad due to her princessy silhouette and love for casualwear.
Athleisure began to flourish as leg warmers and high-waisted bodysuits were fashioned by TV jazzercisers and music artists. Menswear was no different, as it evolved in conjunction with cultural trends at the time.
What Did People Wear In The 80s?
Simplicity and subtly were donned by conformists. The youth of the 80s rebelled with cross-dressing, bright colors, and exaggerated silhouettes.
Think of fingerless gloves, jelly shoes, and parachute jackets. If style icons such as Madonna and Boy George come to mind, you’re definitely on the right path.
So, what did people wear in the 80s? If you’re in a ‘Girls Just Want To Have Fun’ sort of mood, we’ll dish out 10 outfits ideas that are totally tubular.
10 Outfit Ideas Inspired By The 80s
Sure, Netflix’s Stranger Things is considered a great homage to the sci-fi horror of the time, but it also brought back a nostalgic reminder of 80s fashion trends.
Take, for instance, this outfit, which features a pair of high-waisted shorts and a colorful button-down tee.
Accentuated with a front tie, Max Mayfield and Eleven would’ve definitely copped this look at Starcourt mall. If you really want to imbue that ‘Material girl’ vibe, we recommend topping this 80s style look with a scrunchie and a set of British Knights shoes.
Of course, it would be an insult to exclude Princess Diana from our ‘what did people wear in the 80s’ guide. Considered iconic then and now, this look features the power suit in its most regal form.
It consists of a plaid green blazer, a white tee, high-waisted jeans, and a pair of matching heels. The brown belt does wonders in cinching the waist, as it provides an hourglass effect that would’ve been otherwise covered by the jacket.
If you’re wondering what did people wear in the 80s women fashion, this is definitely the OOTD to opt for.
Nothing screams John Bender more than a rugged denim jacket. I’ll admit it, this outfit is missing that iconic red flannel button-down, but it still imbues that rebellious teenage energy that The Breakfast Club was all about.
Composed of a white graphic tee, dark wash skinny jeans, socks, and beat-up sneaks, it’s the kind of look that screams ‘meet me at the bike racks after school.’
For those wondering what shoes did people wear in the 80s, you can never go wrong with a pair of vintage Converse.
Parachute tracksuits were everywhere during the 80s. Their popularity was fed by the exercise trends of the time, which included jazzercise and step aerobics.
I think it’s fair to say the MTV fitness craze was driven by vanity instead of health, which leads us to our next ‘what did people wear in the 80s’ contender.
This matching set imbues the right amount of VHS fuzz thanks to its color-blocked pattern. Glossed in purples, whites, and turquoise, this Nike jumpsuit can help you get into the hip-hop groove in no time. For shoes, we recommend a pair of vintage Air Jordans.
If you’re not a fan of bright colors and patterns, there are ways to incorporate some 80s flair into your modernized wardrobe. We suggest focusing on one print only, such as the classic striped shirt.
Dyed in hues of black and beige, this subtle alternative seems to be intrinsic to the alternative rock phase of the time. The white pants and the matching shoes help to mellow out the outfit.
Of course, the mullet is totally optional—given its 2022 rival, thanks to celebs such as Miley Cyrus and Joe Keery.
Abstract prints were all the rage in the 80s. Known as the decade for geometric patterns and vibrantly colored stripes, no MTV-inspired ensemble is complete without owning two or three.
This whimsical design composed of blacks and blues is no exception, as it keeps things light and playful for basic outfit coordination.
Paired with sage green trousers, it’s considered a brighter take on casual wear. If you want to exude a touch of class, we recommend decking this 80s clothes outfit with a white collared shirt underneath.
80s clothing entails a mix of light-wash high-waisted jeans, a shoulder pad blazer, and a vintage band tee. If you’re a stickler of all three, why not combine them to make the ultimate outfit?
This ensemble is full of MTV classics, as it’s considered a mish-mash between office attire and hip-hop fashion.
The beanie is regarded as a more modern touch, but it helps to mellow out the jarring attributes of the ensemble. For those still wondering what did people wear in the 80s, this OOTD is considered a primary example.
Madonna was the ‘it girl’ of the MTV scene. With that in mind, it’s only natural for us to include an inspired look within our ‘what did people wear in the 80s’ guide.
Composed of skinny jeans, a black crop top, a denim jacket, and a power suit blazer over top, this daring OOTD will definitely ‘cause a commotion’ within the minimalist scene.
The wild hair and the headscarf help to liven things up, if you’re up for a little bit of spice, that is.
As you’ve probably already noticed, the 80s had a thing for high-waisted skinny jeans. A jarring departure from 70s bell-bottoms, the MTV scene catered to form-fitting silhouettes instead.
Alyssa Milano was known as a front leader of this denim trend, which is best shown in this vintage ad.
Composed of a red tee, an embroidered bomber jacket, yellow socks, and brightly colored sneaks, this ‘new girl on the block look’ keeps things vibrant and playful.
If you’re wondering what some 80s outfits women trends are, this OOTD can serve as a nifty reminder.
So, what did the 80s formalwear scene look like? Well, to be completely honest with you—it was a dumpster fire of regrettable fashion choices. There’s a reason why every thrift store is full of dated 80s dress styles.
Despite the horrid trends of mega ruffles, couch-print floral, and drop waist silhouettes, Princess Diana managed to keep things classy by donning a polka-dotted gown.
Fitted with exaggerated sleeves and a front tie, this sophisticated number is relatively simple in shape despite the vibrant pattern. The red shoes and the studded earrings help to exemplify the understated beauty of this OOTD.
What Type Of 80s Outfits Can You Get?
The 90s are commonly viewed as a continuation of the 80s. It’s like a never-ending party of color, print, and great pop music. These two decades share a bunch of similarities, and that bodes especially true for fashion.
For those who need a comprehensive guide of iconic trends at the time, we’ll keep things short and simple by providing a list down below.
- High-waisted jeans: Considered a must-have for every material girl, rib-cage silhouettes offered the illusion of a shorter torso and elongated legs. Light-wash skinnies were by far the most popular choice during the 80s.
- Parachute pants and jackets: The billowy nature of this fabric was intrinsic to the exaggerated silhouettes of time. They often came in bright colors and geometric patterns.
- Oversized blazers: Contrary to popular belief, exaggerated blazers didn’t begin in 2022. We’ve been shoulder-padding since the 80s.
- Sportswear: This includes brands like Adidas, Reebok, and Nike. Of course, athleticwear expands beyond sneakers, as leg warmers, bodysuits, and track pants were also popular at the time.
- A love for accessories: Scrunchies, headbands, jelly bracelets, bolo ties, and fingerless gloves were all the rage during the 80s. There was no such thing as wearing too many accessories.
How To Choose The Best 80s Outfit
2020 to 2022 is commonly known as an unprogressive era. Quarantine and isolation made us hungry for the good ol’ times, which resulted in the rival of numerous trends. The 80s was no exception, as we swapped our new clothes with old ones instead.
Naturally, brands like Urban Outfitters and Reformation took to relieving our COVID-19-induced nostalgia by offering up some 80s themed clothes.
With a mix of reinvented classics and thrifted gems at our disposal, it begs the ultimate question: how do you choose the best 80s outfit?
Of course, quality, material, and price are important factors to consider, regardless of the decade. Instead, we thought to focus on design and fit. Yes, the 80s brought an onslaught of iconic trends, but that doesn’t include every single fashion fad.
We suggest sticking to a 1:2 ratio of statement pieces and wardrobe basics. We don’t want a closet full of loud patterns and bold colors, as it’s known to be rather difficult to style.
Closet classics, such as a simple pair of jeans and a plain white tee, are considered must-haves, as it helps to mellow out the vibrant flair of the 80s.
For those wondering what did people wear in the 80s, exaggerated silhouettes and form-fitting clothing always come to mind. If you’re in the market for high-waisted skinny jeans, it’s important to pay attention to how it flatters your waist, hips, and legs.
Of course, you should never opt for the super-tight alternative unless you love the look of zero blood circulation.
All in all, 80s fashion is reliant on outfit coordination, basic color theory, and tailoring. If you follow all three, you’re sure to look like a modernized version of Prince or Madonna.
How To Style 80s Outfits
So, you’ve got a taste for the bright and bold. Modern minimalism isn’t for everybody, and thankfully, dated trends such as those in the 80s will always be seen as nostalgic and refreshing.
For those still wondering what did people wear in the 80s, we’ll provide some gnarly styling tips for fashionistas to consider.
- Brightly-colored socks: The best way to level up your jeans and sneakers combo is to add a pair of vibrantly-patterned knits. Think of reds, yellows, and geometric prints instead of plain white.
- Scrunchies: This iconic hair tie is making a comeback, and for good reason. It’s a simple way to introduce some 80s flair to your outfit.
- The full-tuck with the belt: The 80s were all about form-fitting silhouettes. Naturally, a simple French tuck isn’t enough. You’ll need to implement ‘whole hog’ if you’re mirroring the MTV fashion scene.
- Parachute jackets: Forget trench coats and motocross zip-ups. If you really want to look like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, a billowing parachute jacket is a must-have.
- Makeup and hair: The 80s was the decade of bright eyeshadow looks and hairspray. This is not the time to don that Kim-K neutral look.
Fashion Tips To Avoid With 80s Outfits
Like an embarrassing prom photo, the 80s were full of regrettable fashion trends. Yes, it brought a ton of iconic moments, but it also was the decade of ugly formalwear and pointless fingerless gloves.
If you prefer to imbue ‘Billie Jean’ nostalgia instead of Vanilla Ice cheese, we’ll discuss some fashion faux pas to avoid with 80s outfits.
- Exaggerated shoulder pads: In some instances, accentuated blazers can look fashionable if styled right. But, if you consider yourself a casual dresser, there’s an added risk of looking too angular and bulky.
- Leg warmers: Sure, Jennifer Beal looked fantastic in them in Flashdance, but that was a one-time moment. They’re particularly hard to style as outerwear.
- Fingerless gloves: There’s a good chance that you’re not a motorcycle rider. With that in mind, what’s the point in wearing fingerless gloves in the first place?
- Acid-wash everything: Denim on denim will always be a controversial look. If you really want to exude 80s cheese, DIY acid-wash is considered a must-have.
How To Take Care Of 80s Outfits
Consider yourself versed in the ‘what did people wear in the 80s’ query. For those who own a small mix of acid wash jeans, geometric sweaters, and graphic band tees, it’s time to initiate some basic care and maintenance.
Below, we’ll show you how to clean your 80s-inspired clothes at home.
- Before washing, be sure to check the laundry tag for cleaning instructions. Some garments may need to be dry-cleaned instead
- Turn the clothes inside out. Afterwards, set your laundry machine and its gentlest cycle and use cold water. We suggest using mild detergent, as bleach and hot water are prone to color bleeding
- Toss them into the dryer on tumble low. You can also opt to air dry your clothes instead
Best Places To Buy 80s Outfits
Before this ‘what did people wear in the 80s’ guide ends, we thought to leave out readers with some store recommendations. If you’re in the mood for some MTV-inspired drip, we suggest checking out these retailers:
- Urban Outfitters
- Free People
- Levi’s
- Tommy Hilfiger
- Goodwill
- Value Village
Final Thoughts
The strict yet simple nature of minimalism has a chokehold on today’s fashion trends. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll take a simple white tee and beige trenchcoat any day.
With that being said, I find myself hungry for a touch of color and print. I know I’m not alone, given the revival of 80s trends within the past couple of years.
Its celebration of color and pattern can help uplift any sullen attitude, especially within a year when quarantine is a requirement, not a suggestion.
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