One word comes to mind when you think of the 1980s: BIG. Overconsumption, oversized and just plain over-the-top were cornerstone features in this decade of excess and materialism. It was a time of abundance, optimism and unabashed greed.
Shoulder pads returned to fashion in a super-sized version, and the “power suit” reflected women’s emerging status in the workplace. The term “Yuppie” was coined as an acronym for the Young Urban Professional who was a career driven, 20-30 something male or female, obsessed with upward mobility, money and the pursuit of personal fulfillment. Casual wear for the Yuppie set was collegiate or preppy with khaki pants, traditional blue blazers, crisp white shirts, polos by Izod Lacoste and Ralph Lauren and cotton cardigans draped over one’s shoulders, loosely tied in front. Designers boldly emblazoned their logos on the exterior of their designs and their clothing became elite status symbols.
Glamour in the 1980s, as depicted in the popular TV shows Dallas and Dynasty, translated to bedazzled evening wear studded with sequins and beads. Hair was permed, teased and coiffed to ever larger proportions and extravagance. Makeup was bold and colorful, as was jewelry of the era which featured large statement necklaces and long, dangling earrings which grazed the shoulders.
In contrast to the more conservative and affluent set, youthful counterculture was defining their own style. Music continued to have a strong influence on fashion, particularly with the emergence of MTV which brought music fashion to the masses. Numerous pop music stars became style icons as well. Underwear as outer wear, popularized by Madonna, infused street fashion with women donning crinolines and lacy bustiers. New Wave music and the corresponding New Romantics style trend was further popularized by London designer Vivienne Westwood, who embraced historical fashion with the use of corsets and bustles and later created the mini-crini. Music legends like Annie Lenox, Boy George, David Bowie and Grace Jones blurred the lines of androgyny in fashion. Japanese fashion designers continued to push fashion barriers exploring gender-bending, sculptural, avant-garde silhouettes.
The fitness boom of the 1980s, as part of this self-conscious and self indulgent decade, spawned a fashion trend that took dance and exercise wear from the studio and gym to the runway and the street. Jane Fonda sported neon leotards and leg warmers in her exercise videos and women soon embraced them as functional fashion. The aerobics craze influenced designer fashion with Lycra and other body conscious fabrics and styles infusing the dress designs of Azzedine Alaia and bodysuits by Donna Karan. The movie Flashdance inspired women to wear tight leggings paired with oversized, baggy sweatshirts with the necklines cut to drape casually off one shoulder. Designer Norma Kamali created an entire collection fashioned of sweatshirt fabric. Jogging or track suits became socially acceptable as casual day wear.
1980s style with its juxtaposition of trends, variety and influences created a unique legacy of fashion and anti-fashion. It is emerging as an era of sought-after vintage for its unique characteristics and lasting impact.
Written by Vintage Devotion
Back Fashion Timeline
1980s asymmetrical dress
Courtesy of vivavintageclothing.com
1980s metallic silver cocktail dress
Courtesy of vivavintageclothing.com
1980s Gunne Sax prom dress
Courtesy of northstarvintage
1980s Diamond Collection prom dress
Courtesy of ladyscarletts
1980s Oscar de la Renta velvet & feathers dress
Courtesy of vivavintageclothing.com
1980s metallic party dress
Courtesy of pinkyagogo
1980s Mary McFadden gown
Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing
1980s Jean Muir gown
Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing
1980s wedding dress
Courtesy of iandrummondvintage
1980s dress
Courtesy of magsragsvintage
1980s raspberry dress
Courtesy of magsragsvintage
1980s Anthony Muto coffin pleated dress
Courtesy of thespectrum
1980s cocktail dress
Courtesy of magsragsvintage
1980s little black dress
Courtesy of denisebrain
1980s velvet dress
Courtesy of denisebrain
1980s bubble hem dress
Courtesy of denisebrain
1980s Lanz floral dress
Courtesy of pinkyagogo
1980s Laura Ashley dress
Courtesy of catwalkcreative
1980s strapless dress
Courtesy of magsragsvintage
1980s pink suit
Courtesy of sweetmelissasvintage
1980s Norma Kamali dress
Courtesy of denisebrain
early 1980s Michaele Vollbrach dress
Courtesy of vivavintageclothing.com
1980s Betsey Johnson dress (early label)
Courtesy of vintspiration
1980s Betsey Johnson dress
Courtesy of catbooks1940s
1980s Caron peplum suit
Courtesy of denisebrain
1980s Christian Dior suit
Courtesy of ranchqueen
1980s velvet suit
Courtesy of fallsavenuevintage
1980s Bergdorf Goodman wool suit
Courtesy of pinkyagogo
1980s jumpsuit
Courtesy of carlaandcarla
1980s Stray Cats t-shirt
Courtesy of pinkyagogo
1980s Carole Little blouse
Courtesy of joules
1980s French bra
Courtesy of sewingmachinegirl
1980s Marie Jo metallic bra
Courtesy of sewingmachinegirl
1980s sweater with leather trim
Courtesy of northstarvintage
1980s Delia western novelty sweater
Courtesy of thespectrum
1980s Yves Saint Laurent vest
Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing
1980s Thierry Mugler corduroy jacket
Courtesy of vivavintageclothing.com
1980s Thierry Mugler jacket
Courtesy of vivavintageclothing.com
1980s Moschino jacket
Courtesy of denisebrain
1980s Jean Paul Gaultier jacket
Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing
1980s Oleg Cassini jacket
Courtesy of anatomyvintage
1980s leopard arm warmers
Courtesy of pinkyagogo
1980s magenta gloves
Courtesy of carlaandcarla
1980s Ray Ban Street Neat Wayfare sunglasses
Courtesy of vivavintageclothing.com
1980s Anne Klein sunglasses
Courtesy of denisebrain
1980s wrap sunglasses
Courtesy of decotodiscovintage
1980s check sunglasses
Courtesy of decotodiscovintage
1980s sunglasses
Courtesy of materialmemorieslane
1980s leather handbag
Courtesy of pinkyagogo
1980s Italian leather clutch
Courtesy of northstarvintage
1980 Neiman Marcus holographic handbag
Courtesy of decotodiscovintage
1980s leather belt
Courtesy of northstarvintage
1980s Emmanuel belt
Courtesy of flannerycrane
1980s Kokin felt hat
Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing
1980s suede and zipper boots
Courtesy of pinkyagogo
1985 Valentino kid boots
Courtesy of kickshawproductions
1980s fishnet and sequins boots
Courtesy of decotodiscovintage
1980s leather boots
Courtesy of northstarvintage
1980s Candies inspired high heels
Courtesy of northstarvintage
1980s leather pumps
Courtesy of stellarosevintage
1980s Norman Kaplan stilettos
Courtesy of thespectrum
1980s pumps
Courtesy of magsragsvintage
1980s metallic shoes
Courtesy of catbooks1940
1980s patent leather pumps
Courtesy of northstarvintage
1980s tennis shoes
Courtesy of northstarvintage
1980s neon choker
Courtesy of morningglorious
1980s Tibetan necklace
Courtesy of sweetmelissasvintage
1980s new wave necklace
Courtesy of decotodiscovintage
1980s plastic stars necklace
Courtesy of themerchantsofvintage
1980s Butler and Wilson brooch
Courtesy of iandrummondvintage
1980s romantic brooch
Courtesy of decotodiscovintage
1980s wood necklace
Courtesy of thespectrum
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