1980 to 1990

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

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

1980s animal theme wood necklace

Courtesy of thespectrum