Fashion trends in the 80s were not just about over sized shirts and spandex. Keep reading for the top 5 best fashion trends of the 1980s.
There’s no doubt that the ’80s decade gave us some of the biggest fashion fails the world has ever seen. Shoulder pads, teased hair, acid-washed jeans, and neon-colored makeup have all gone the way of valley girl slang and should stay that way.
But even if looking at your mother and father’s prom and high school photos, or even look at some 80s pop stars posters, it is enough to make you want to gag yourself with a spoon, know that not everything about ’80s fashion was dreadful. There are still some remnants of the decade of excess that persist to this day.
Here are five examples of ’80s style that were the best trends and still have their rightful place in the 21st century.
1. Leggings
Leggings were THE closet staple to own in the ’80s and the same can be said today, with sales of stretchy clothing booming in the U.S.
Back in the day leggings were often paired with slouchy, oversized sweaters and sweatshirts. Today, anything goes—try a funky patterned pair under a black skirt or dress, or wear them with a blouse, blazer, or cardigan.
2. Hats
As the fashion-forward member of the Cosby family, Lisa Bonet’s character Denise Huxtable didn’t shy away from sporting hats. Everyone from Debbie Gibson to Elton John also wore them in the ’80s. Today, a cool looking fedora or newsboy cap is always in style and will make you stand out from the crowd.
3. Jumpsuits
Although jumpsuits originated in the 1970s, they persisted into the ’80s (even Sigourney Weaver got suited up in one to battle xenomorphs in Aliens) and truth be told, they’ve never gone away. You can buy them at every major department store in a variety of colors, patterns, and fabrics, and they can be dressed up or down in a flash.
Best of all, wearing this one-piece essential makes you look instantly taller and leaner which makes you feel more confident. It’s an example of a fashion staple that demonstrates why dressing for success leads to success.
4. Bright Colors
The ’80s was all about flashy colors and the more mixed into one outfit, the better. This fashion statement was so popular at that time to the extent that almost all famous personalities, including 80s television artists, have followed this trend. However, you don’t have to go overboard with this look if you want to pull it off today. Incorporate a pop of color by wearing a vibrant top or shoes with understated colors.
It’s a nice way to pay homage to the decade without hurting everyone’s eyes.
5. Ray-Ban Sunglasses
Even though Ray-Ban as a brand has existed since WWII, the ’80s seemed to make them a household name. Tom Cruise sported Ray-Ban sunglasses both on the big screen (Risky Business and Top Gun) and off-camera. In fact, the wayfarers that Cruise wore as he slid across a floor in Risky Business saved the company from disaster.
But other sunglasses were making a splash in the ’80s in bright colors and fun patterns. A good pair of sunglasses never go out of style, and this is definitely one trend that always looks good.
We Love ’80s Style
As you can see, there was a lot about ’80s style that was cool. If you want to emulate the decade, that doesn’t mean you have to look like a character from a John Hughes movie. Giving your wardrobe some ’80s touches can definitely shake your look up a bit. Read this post so you will learn more about the impact of the 80s on pop culture.
Here at Mental Itch, we love the ’80s so much we have a content category dedicated to the decade! Check out our other posts on The ’80s if you love them as much as we do.