80s things. Images and costumes

80s women loved bright, neon colors, so you have to match many colors in your outfit, regardless of the pieces you included. Complete your look with colorful jewelry, bold makeup and fleece.

    Find a blouse or jacket with thick shoulder pads. Broad shoulders have become all the rage because many women have begun to infiltrate the workplace. A rectangular jacket with heavy shoulder pads looks professional in the 80s style, while a blouse or dress with thick shoulder pads will go for a more casual style.

    Choose an oversized top. If shoulder pads aren't your thing, go for an oversized sweater, shirt, or blouse. Look for a top with a deep, round neckline. Solid colors are more beneficial, but you can experiment with colorful geometric designs.

    Wear a mini skirt. Denim miniskirts look especially good, but leather or knit options are also cute. If you opt for a colored skirt, go for hot pink or another bright, neon color.

    Pull on leggings or patterned stockings. They are especially great when worn under a miniskirt and an oversized sweater that reaches mid-thigh or below. Look for solid colors or patterned tights with spots, stripes, textured lace, or other embroidery.

    Look for leggings. This is a stretch jersey pants that taper down towards the ankle. The ankle has an elastic "strap" that goes under the heel. Choose leggings that match any color or pattern, from black to neon orange.

    Consider bleached jeans. Find an old pair with bleach marks and holes. Cropped jeans with ripped edges also fit the classic 80s.

    Don't forget to wear leg warmers. This trend was especially popular in the early to mid-decade. In the 80s, leggings were made of wool, cotton and a blend of synthetic fibers. They were sold in a wide variety of colors, from the brightest to monotonous and neutral shades. Wear leg warmers under any bottom, whether it's a miniskirt or skinny jeans.

    Shoe your jelly. Jellies, also known as "jelly shoes", are a type of brightly colored shoe made from PVC plastic. These shoes have a translucent, glossy sheen and often shimmered with different sheen. Most of the jellies were flat, but some were in heels.

    Choose the right heels. Adult women wear heels under most of their outfits, whether professional or casual. Choose a pair of pointed toe shoes with a closed heel and high, slim heels. Opt for black or white, but you can also go for bright yellows or pinks if you want to play up the flashy, neon reputation of 80s American fashion.

    Wear sneakers or boots. In addition to jelly and heels, teens and young girls also wore sneakers and boots to match their outfits. Take a pair of black lace-up boots with thick soles. They can be worn under almost any bottom, from miniskirts to bleached jeans.

    Buy oversized earrings. In general, the popular jewelry of that decade was bright and large. Earrings were especially in vogue. Look for earrings with rhinestones or pearls, preferably gold plated. Dangle or collar earrings will graze your shoulders and work best.

When it comes to fashion, then minimalism, which has been in trend for some time, fades into the background. And today new trends are in the air. Perhaps we are a little tired of this simplified mod. Therefore, designers and stars offer us a new wave of maximalism that comes back to us right from the 80s. Bulky shoulders, vibrant colors, and a wide variety of styles make it possible to re-experience the pleasure of the fashion of the time. The 80s trend is perfect for creating interesting and eye-catching looks and promises to infuse your wardrobe with a new and glamorous sense of style.

80s fashion

The 1980s fashion meant everything had to be in abundance. At the time, everything was big, bold and downright glamorous. During the day, ladies wore suits with large shoulders to prove that they were as strong as gentlemen. For the evening, they used glamorous outfits covered in sequins. Love for brands and brands was also evident over the next ten years. By the second half of the 80s, the punk style began to gain more and more popularity, thanks in large part to celebrities.

80s fashion celebrities

Fashion is always about style icons, like the most influential celebrities. The 80s were no exception to this rule and had their own list of celebrities inspiring women around the world. Singers like Madonna and Cindy Lauper, introduced a movement characterized by cockiness and excessiveness, such as punk. Whitney Houston, on the other hand, has become the epitome of a more glamorous style. Models Brooke Shields and Cindy crawford represented a love of luxury and labels. And thanks to Jane Fonda and her video workouts, leotards and leggings have become the most stylish types of sportswear.


80s hairstyles and makeup

In keeping with the overwhelming fashion of the decade, the hair and makeup were just as intense. At the time, hairstyles were predominantly voluminous and wild. Mega volume was in vogue, everyone wanted to look like that. And extreme curls and waves were a great way to get that volume. Regardless of whether women wore straight, flowing hair, there had to be a lot of volume on top, and no doubt this required an incredible amount of hairspray.

The same trend was relevant in makeup, he was as cocky as the decade itself. For example, eyeshadows of intense colors were considered one of the most important manifestations of beauty. But bright blush and bold lipsticks were equally popular.


How to wear 80s fashion trends

80s fashion trends are back at their peak, but that doesn't mean you can just put on an outfit from 30 years ago and look great. In order to look relevant in 2017, you need to know exactly what parts and accessories of the 80s are in trend. This will help you balance the vintage and modern pieces in your wardrobe.

Big shoulders

When you think about the 80s, bulky shoulders always come to mind. Trying to keep up with the fashion trend, the 80s used extra padding and shoulder pads to add width. Today, big shoulders are a great way to add a touch of irreconcilable 80s to your wardrobe. Feel free to choose jackets, blazers and coats with a similar silhouette, you just need to try this trend. But don't forget to save your waistline. Use a belt to accentuate it.


Bold colors

The 90s may be minimalism, but the 80s are, for sure, maximalism. Oversized shoulders, fabric straps, and sophisticated designs were the staples of the trendy wardrobe of that decade. So it's no surprise that the colors were bold and vibrant as well. In 2017, using color can be a fun and easy way to create a modern 80s look.

To apply this trend today, get a few pieces in shades like cobalt, fuchsia, purple or gold and add them to your wardrobe.


Sequins

The glamor and decadence of the 80s are back again, but this time they have acquired some freshness and softness of forms. In the 80s, sequined dresses could be used as evening wear. Today, this unique and attractive image is applicable in the daytime. For a more stylish look, simply mix the sparkly dress with trainers, a T-shirt, and a loose-fitting coat. In addition, you should do without traditional 80s hairstyles and makeup. It is better to complete an outfit in sequins with a chic laconic natural make-up and soft waves of hair.


Ruffles (ruffles)

It is no coincidence that ruffles have become incredibly popular again. They are part of the resurgence of 80s trends and were key details of that decade. Today, you can find ruffles in many types of clothing, including tops, jackets, trousers, skirts, dresses, even shoes and bags. You can use this fashion trend in any way you like. And if sheer and light ruffles give a vintage look, then more structured ruffles will help you look glamorous.


Tops & One Shoulder Dresses

Tops and one-shoulder dresses are another 80s glamor trend that has returned in 2017. This unique trend is starting to gain traction around the world: on the catwalks, magazine covers and on the streets. While you can easily wear this type of clothing along with jeans during the daytime, it is best to hold onto these dresses for evening events. Undoubtedly, such an image cannot go unnoticed and men will turn their heads after you.


Massive earrings

If you want to try 80s fashion trends, but prefer a more concise style, then you should consider an accessory like earrings. The oversized 80s earrings can be matched to any outfit, which means you can try on the 80s without wearing big shoulders, bold colors, ruffles or sequins. All you have to do is find the perfect pair of earrings. Of course, if you want to keep up with other 80s trends, then you can feel free to choose your accessories. After all, it was a decade of fashion extremes.


Intensive eye makeup

Like all 80s style, eyeshadow was just as bold and vibrant at the time. This applied not only to the color of the eyeshadow, but also to the intensity of their application. Often women applied shadows all the way down to their eyebrows. In 2017, eyeshadow made a comeback, but not so dramatically. A popular bold eyeshadow texture, applied just above the crease of the eyelid and along the lash line.


How to wear 80s fashion trends?

  1. Combine 80s-inspired details with your modern wardrobe.
  2. Putting on a blazer, jacket or coat with a hanger will instantly create an 80s look.
  3. Wear shiny fabrics and asymmetrical designs for a glamorous evening look.
  4. Pay attention to ruffles and bold colors to add a little 80s maximalism to your outfit.
  5. For a more sophisticated look, try matching a pair of oversized earrings to modern day wear.
  6. Try bold colored eyeshadows to bring 80s trends to your makeup.

Thinking about the fashion of the 80s, the words "big and bright" come to mind. It was a decade of big hair, padded shoulders, and eye-wearing colors and patterns. Fashion in the 1980s was about wealth and ostentatious wealth. Wearing the right clothes meant spending extra money buying designer labels and sporting goods with the brand's logo on it.

While adolescents certainly played a role, for the first time fashion was dictated not only by young people; baby boomers like Tommy Hilfiger grew mature and wealthy, and they stood firmly on their feet among the influential trendsetters.

The 1980s spawned more fashion idols than any previous decade. It's hard to imagine now, but in the 1980s there were no cell phones or the Internet, television offered only a few channels, and watching movies was a luxury. After television, magazines and advertisements were the main source of information about fashion. The limited exposure allowed a select group of celebrities, bands and eighties clothing brands to make a significant impact on 80s fashion trends.

1980s trendsetters

Fashion designers and clothing brands

There were thousands of designers and clothing brands in the 80s, but some always stood out because of advertising campaigns or simply because their clothes were so typical of the eighties.

Sportswear from Reebok, Nike and Adidas: Fitness became a craze, and sportswear from these companies was so popular that it became streetwear.

Swatch Watches: Every kid who wasn't a complete failure had a few of these inexpensive plastic watches, made in bold colors and patterns. Owning several was not enough, you had to wear everything at once.

Jordache, Guess, Wrangler, Levi, Gitano, Bonjour, Sasson and a range of jeans designers: Whether you preferred skinny or acid wash, everyone had their favorite pair of jeans.

Ray Ban: Known for their Wayfarer and Aviator sunglasses, the oversized pair of sunglasses was a must-have 80s fashion accessory.

Issei Miyake: Issei Miyake's design was focused on innovation and the clothes were comfortable to wear. In the 80s, he developed clothing that revolutionized pleated clothing.

Triple Fat Goose: Ski suits were popular with yuppies. Their puffy, downy leather jackets have inspired designers like Ralph Lauren to create parkas in other fabrics as well.

LA Gear, Puma and Converse: Stars such as Michael Jackson and famous athlete Joe Montana helped make sneakers and high-tops that were the hallmark of the 80s.

Gotcha, Maui & Sons, and Lightning Bolt: These surf clothing designers promoted a carefree lifestyle, and through their fun-loving reputation, clothing became streetwear.

Coca-Cola: Coca-Cola partnered with Jordache to make branded clothing popular in the 80s.

Benetton: One of the first big brands to take a step towards raising awareness of social issues, United colors of Benetton became a hit when it advertised garments with bold patterns and designs in the 80s.

Madonna: undoubtedly the queen of pop in the 1980s, Madonna not only influenced musical trends; her incredible physique and energy has prompted many young people to adopt Madonna's style, from lace tutus and leather jackets to wild hairstyles with velvet bows and carved threads.

Boy George: As one of the leaders of punk culture and music, Boy George saw 1980s fashion as an art. Boy George and his American contemporaries like the Misfits helped show that clothes and makeup are not just for women.

Michael Jackson: If Madonna was the pop queen, Michael Jackson was the undisputed king. His jackets, military-inspired accessories and Jheri-curl African American hairstyle continue to influence fashion trends for decades.

MTV: The alliance of MTV (a music television channel created in 1981) and celebrities dressed in wild outfits has been incredibly successful. It suddenly became much easier to spread the fad, and the rock stars appearing on the channel have had a huge impact on youth fashion across America.

LL Cool J: Hip-hop music and rappers like Run DMC and LL Cool J left an indelible mark on 80s fashion with mesh shirts, boomboxes on the shoulder, high-top sneakers without laces, large toe rings and chains around the neck as well as the now classic Kangol bucket hat.

Celebrities who shaped fashion

Princess Diana: Many fashion statements began with the princess, although she stated that she had no interest in fashion at all. Loved by the world since she first appeared publicly with Prince Charles in early 1981, people have celebrated and imitated her every move. Diana helped popularize the elements of clothing characteristic of the 80s: a padded shoulder, women's silk blouses with a pattern, pearl earrings. She also created strange trends like wearing multiple watches at the same time.

Joan Collins: The influential Joan Collins character Alexis Colby on the 1980s TV show "Dynasty" inspired countless women to curl their hair for the fullness of the 1980s. She showed women how to wear plump shoulders and bold patterns, and how to properly apply all that peacock eyeshadow and blush. Combined with a conservative blouse, her outfits became the uniform for working women who, for the first time in the 80s, began to compete with men on equal terms.

Jane Fonda: Jane Fonda was the first lead actress to do an exercise video. Already influencing the fashion world with her role in earlier films such as Barbarella, she made the leggings and swimwear famous she brought to the 80s fashion scene through her fitness videos. Thanks to Jane, sportswear took off from the gym to the catwalk and soon became a part of casual fashion wear.

Ella Macpherson: The 1980s saw the emergence of the first high-income supermodels, and they increased their popularity and influence in fashion by promoting home furnishings. Product advertisements have made the faces and fashion styles of models such as Ella MacPherson, Iman, Janice Dickinson and Brooke Shields famous in every home.

Movie and TV Show

The 1983 film Flash Dance represented the essence of the 1980s style. Women's oversized sweatshirts, leggings, leggings and asymmetrical details that were originally popularized by the film are back in fashion.

On the iconic TV show Dallas, everyone tried to get rich and glamorous, and the fashionistas religiously imitated the dress code of the actors on the show. When the show recently aired, it sparked a fashion awakening that included everything from Pam's big hair and oversized knitted sweaters to Miss Ellie's pearl necklace.

The Calvin Klein lingerie scene in Back to the Future perfectly illustrates the power of famous brands in the 1980s and how celebrity collaborations helped make the brand trending. Until now, Calvin Klein's skinny panties with a logo at the waist are the symbol of choice for sensual lingerie for Generation X.

Miami Vice's look may have been over-the-top even by the criteria of 80s fashion, but we're predicted to see many 80s styles from the show, such as sockless shoes, 80s swimwear fashion, and pastel tees. which will appear again next year.

The extravagance of celebrity clothing was toned down in streetwear, but all the elements were there. The 1980s fabric leaders were velor, spandex and lycra; comfortable cotton and natural silk were popular. Austere military suits and padded-shoulder jackets were worn alongside printed T-shirts, velvet tracksuits, baggy trousers, or leggings. With so many different styles, you might think there is no single take on 80s fashion, but all styles are united by their determination to be bright, shiny and bold.

Ordinary people wore clothes in bright colors and patterns, adorned with slogans, the image of the outfit was complemented by watches, sneakers, belts and jewelry that remained in the 1980s, but periodically return to modern fashion.

80s women's fashion

The female silhouette of the 80s was slim, with large shoulders and a tapered waist. Clothes, from dresses to oversized sweaters, were off-the-shoulder, and skirts were mini or hemmed at the knee. Shoes included high-heeled shoes and sports shoes, and even sportswear was complemented with accessories.

In the 1980s, working women were just beginning to emerge, and office fashion was inspired by actresses such as Melanie Griffith of Business Girl. Women dressed more formally for parties and special occasions than they do today, so women needed a variety of fancy clothes and accessories.

From the very beginning of fitness, women of all sizes squeezed themselves into swimsuits and bodysuits in combination with leggings and a headband, did aerobics, or simply worked out at home with a video of Jane Fonda.

A suit with a narrow waist and wide shoulders, like that of Jackie Collins, was a must if you had an office job. It is crafted from shiny fabrics of precious colors and was worn with a simple blouse from a designer like Versace. The image was supplemented with a bunch of jewelry.

Sheer tights were a staple of every woman's wardrobe throughout the 1980s. They were worn with short skirts showing most of the legs.

Lamé: From high school graduates to middle-aged ladies at a party, every woman had a sparkly lamé dress with ruffles and possibly one off the shoulder. Lamé dresses were crafted in dazzling colors, paired with high-heeled shoes, vibrant makeup and lots of accessories.

Ruffles: Blouses and dresses with puff sleeves and ruffles at the neck were a must in every woman's wardrobe. Favorite by Princess Diana, this feminine piece can be worn with everything from a business suit to skinny jeans for city walks.

Sequins: Sequins were a common feature of the era, and you might see them sewn to the lapels of a suit, sweater, or hair accessory just as often as you would on glittery evening gowns.

Animal Print: By the 1980s, wearing real animal skins was frowned upon, but exotic animal prints were used to cover almost everything. Name an animal and you can find it in 80s textiles. From leggings to handbags and sunglasses, everything was adorned with colorful prints of leopard, zebra, snake and even giraffe skin.

Leggings and trousers with stripes: Olivia Newton-John began to drive the audience crazy with her skin-tight black leggings in the 1978 movie Grease, and by the early eighties, leggings were replacing skin-tight pants for women. oversized sweaters or a large T-shirt.

Oversized Sweaters: Flash Dance popularized oversized sweaters over a one-shoulder tee. By the late 1980s, sweaters were made from velor or other luxurious fabrics, and the colors were muted.

Silicone shoes: In 1983, a New York shopper saw jelly shoes at a shoe convention in Chicago and ordered them for a chain store. Despite the fact that the inexpensive shoes were made of plastic, they were incredibly comfortable to wear, and the craze for silicone shoes reached the point that even great fashion designers like Jean-Paul Gaultier added them to their range.

Velor Tracksuits: Velvet stretch velor fabrics are luxurious and comfortable, which is probably the reason for the popularity of the velor tracksuit in the 80s. Italian sportswear brand Fila made velor tracksuits that were so popular that celebrities wore them in restaurants and bars, and designers like Dior have included velor tracksuits in their range.

T-shirts. In the early 1980s, British fashion designer Katherine Hamnett began to successfully promote political slogans by printing them on T-shirts. Soon, big companies like Nike, Adidas and Guess realized the advertising potential of their logo printed on T-shirts. T-shirts from those times could be with a logo or lettering, with block letters, or in a simple bright or pastel color. A comfortable T-shirt was a staple of clothing worn with jeans or leggings.

Swimwear and Leotards: The 80s were a self-indulgent and self-conscious decade. Jane Fonda took advantage of women's passion for dance and exercise in her fitness videos and, along with other fitness fanatics like Cher, helped popularize sports swimwear and bodysuits in functional fashion. This is one of the fashion trends of the 80s, which can be traced in one form or another with every decade.

Leg warmers: Not only Jane Fonda and the Flash Dance stars wore leg warmers in the 80s; Leggings were popular with all women, and sportswear, skinny jeans, leggings, and a large sweater were all outfits that required leggings as a finishing touch.

Jeans: Jordache made skinny jeans popular, but women also wore high-waisted mom jeans with a loose fit around their legs. Whether jeans were tight-fitting or baggy, cleaned and acid washed models were the norm during the 80s.

Denim Jackets: Denim jackets for women became popular in the 70s, but the classic short-waisted denim jacket for women emerged in the 80s. Paired with skinny jeans and a ruffled T-shirt or blouse, the denim jacket has become an indispensable part of the classic American look.

Eighties fashion for men

Men began to attach more importance to their appearance than before. The term "yuppie" was coined as an anacronym for a young urban professional. For the first time in history, fashion for men played as important a role as it did for women, and many of the 1980s wardrobe items were unisex. Men began to focus more on hairstyles and accessories, and thanks to music stars like Boy George, wearing makeup was no longer a taboo. Although men's clothing had vibrant colors and patterns in common with women's clothing, men still tended to dress more conservatively and their main concern was comfort.

Velor tracksuits: Men and women wore velor tracksuits. Italian sportswear brand Fila has transformed the classic velor tracksuit into casual wear for any man. Whether it's the Italian connection or the mafia association that emerged in the '80s Sopranos, velor tracksuits have become commonplace for men - from couch potatoes to trendsetters - and remain popular to this day.

Everything with a logo: Fashion has been pretty much a showcase of abundance and style, and one of the best ways to do this is by wearing clothes with the designer's logo or promoting a brand. Everything from Disney to Harley Davidson to Coca-Cola was featured on clothing in the 80s, and brands such as Nike, Gucci, Levi, Lacoste and Tommy Hilfiger became household names.

Bomber jackets. Bomber jackets peaked in 1986 with the release of the Top Gun, but even before that, being a useful remnant of military service, they were a staple of the wardrobe of many American men. Whether in nylon or leather, bomber jackets have become a classic staple since the 1980s.

In the 80s, men wore suits with a pointed neckline and wide shoulders. The idea was to look strong and authoritative. Dark colors with a chalk stripe and blazers with white collars were the most common styles. Ties have been simple, patterned or sometimes fancy designs that are making a comeback.

Ripped Jeans: Hard rock and heavy metal bands such as Nirvana, Sonic Youth, and Pixies spawned grunge culture, and men's fashion included frayed and ripped jeans. Anyone who hasn't bought shabby designer jeans from famous brands like Guess or Levi can always make multiple cuts along the knees and other strategic places with a box knife. It was also a popular practice to "tie" the cuffs of jeans in order to roll them up and reveal high-top sneakers.

Dyed T-Shirts: Graffiti artists such as Fab 5 Freddy and Jean-Michel Basquiat have been selling sweatshirts and T-shirts, and the hip-hop culture, along with Blondie's music videos, has helped the dyed things become a favorite of streetwear.

Gucci Hoodies: Rappers like Rakim and Eric B. loved the Gucci brand, it was comfortable and stylish enough that even high school students would love their hoodies.

T-shirts: A staple in men's wardrobes since the 1960s, T-shirts really hit the '80s trend. Regardless of whether they were plain, patterned, or printed, every man wore T-shirts.

Polo Shirts: Lacoste polo shirts in pastel colors and horizontal stripes were a must for the trendy man. The Ocean Pacific polos had a nautical appearance and were perfect to be worn anywhere between a formal shirt and a tee.

Loafers without socks. In the 80s, men wore loafers and loafers without socks.

Parachute fabric: This lightweight and easy-care fabric has been popular for sportswear and sweatpants. Parachute outfits often featured horizontal stripes or chevron designs.

Harem pants. The forerunner of today's drop crotch pants, the harem pants in psychedelic colors and dizzying patterns were a relic from the 70s that continued their popularity into the 80s.

Thick laces: If anyone wore Puma or Adidas sneakers, thick laces were a way to personalize the shoe.

Jams: Bright, patterned knee-length shorts, often with Hawaii-inspired prints. It was trendy beachwear in the 80s, but it also doubled as casual streetwear.

Makeup in the eighties

The makeup was unnaturally heavy, bold and colorful. The focus was on the eyes with vibrant pink and blue eyeshadow and colored mascara that was used for thick lashes. Everyone blushed their cheeks like Cindy Lauper, and their lipstick turned pale.

Nobody strove for a natural appearance; the main focus was on the base, which was made several shades lighter than the natural skin tone, and the cheeks were thickly covered with blush to emphasize them to the fullest. The lips looked unnatural thanks to dark lip liners, followed by vibrant lipsticks in pink, orange and red. The lipstick was very pale for a while, but by the end of the decade it was back to vibrant colors.

The focus was on the eyes. Eyeshadow in peacock tones was applied to all eyebrows, followed by heavy eyeliner and lots of mascara. The unkempt look was popular, and often multiple colored eyeliners and mascara were used to create a multi-layered effect.

Boy George and bands like the Misfits promoted makeup for men, but while it helped promote unisex styles for men and women, the style was slow to adopt.

In the 80s, men and women curled, fluffed and combed their hair to make it as big as possible. The hairstyles were very large, curly and highly stylized. The '60s and' 70s hairstyles made a comeback with a few variations, and some quirks like the rattlesnake came and went at the speed of a winter cold.

Princess Diana's shaggy hairstyle was very popular in the early eighties, but by the end of the decade most women curled their hair and did fancy hairstyles with clouds of hairspray. Hair ties replaced the traditional elastic, and the new stretch fabric accessory was often adorned with pearls, sequins, and velvet bows. If you wanted to tie up your hair, a banana barrette was helpful, and side ponytails were considered fun and fun.

Bands like Bon Jovi and Nikki Sixx preferred voluminous hair, and many men imitated their style. Mallett had a big comeback in the 80s and TV characters like MacGyver made the style appealing. Elvis hair, combed back and smeared with wet looking products, was also a hit in the eighties.

African American hairstyles were influenced by Jeri Redding, who wore his hair in loose curls. Michael Jackson copied this style for a while and Jheri-curl became very popular. Another trendy African American hairstyle was the high-top fade. Ever since Grace Jones was spotted with her on her reggae album Warm Leatherette in 1980, black hairdressers have been overwhelmed with requests to redo their hair.

Skinhead culture began in London in the 1960s and by the 1980s had spread throughout the world. Skinheads in America in the 80s shaved their heads. By the 1980s, skinhead culture had mixed with punk and reggae, and a significant number of young people who followed the style of their musical heroes wore bald or partially shaved heads with hairpins.

The ponytail was named "mallet light" of the 80s and was the most popular among boys. It doesn't matter if you had short hair, the thin strand of hair at the back of your head was left uncut and hung naturally to form a rat tail.

Popular accessories

Fashion was vibrant and bold, but what really gave the decade its distinctive look was the accessories. Not a single outfit is complete without a large necklace with pendants, earrings and bracelets hanging on the shoulders. If you were outdoors you needed a large tote bag and sunglasses, and any physical activity required a headband and boombox to complete the 80s look.

Jewelry: In the 1980s, jewelry was large and distinctive. To match the bold outfit, women of all ages wore giant earrings, large beaded necklaces, stacks of bracelets, and oversized brooches. While the rich covered themselves with gold and precious stones, for the most part people preferred jewelry covered with rhinestones.

Jewelry was not just a fashion accessory; it was a personal statement. Teens had their own culture of silicone and braided friendship bracelets, plastic watches and beaded necklaces. The fight between George and Michael Jackson could be seen on stage with large brooches, rappers wrapped in gold chains and ostentatious gold rings, but for the most part, the men did not wear conspicuous jewelry.

Sunglasses: Sunglasses had giant frames and colored or mirrored lenses. Wayfarers and Aviators from Rayban and Vuarnet were some of the most popular sunglasses, but there were also many brands of fake. If you wore glasses, they were huge, with plastic frames.

Tote Bags: Tote bags have been a favorite accessory. Companies like LL Bean had been selling them for years, but in 1980, The Strand bookstore in New York began promoting their own version of the bag. Companies like Esprit also produced characteristic bags in the 80s that became classics and still sell in the thousands every year.

Fanny handbags. Fanny handbags became popular with tourists, then crept into the fashion scene and finally became a useful accessory for everyone from runners and cyclists to parents who need hands free to manage their kids. Although Fanny handbags are not as popular as they were in the 80s, they are still important enough for designers like Louis Vuitton to include in their range.

Women's Belts. Wide belts with heavy closure were popular and could be worn around the waist or hips. Elastic straps have also been used for oversized sweaters and blouses.

Headbands: Everyone from park runners to "karate toddler" and rock stars like Bruce Springsteen and Olivia Newton-John wore headbands. In the 80s, the terry cloth headband evolved from a practical sports accessory to a fashionable adornment in vibrant neon colors, with all the cool ones styling their hair around the headband.

Fashion in the USSR

If you're old enough to feel a little shy when you catch a glimpse of yourself in an 80s photo today, then don't. It was one of the most iconic fashion decades. You helped shape today's style. Everything from spandex, turquoise eyeliner and velor tracksuits to neon laces that defined 1980s fashion, became trend leaders and spawned fashion trends that are predicted to continue to emerge for decades to come. Any day, you can dig that pair of Day-Glo sneakers out of the back of your closet and put them back on with pride.

We are looking for a stylist-image maker for cooperation. More details.

The style of clothing of the 80s that inspires designers from all over the world is usually associated with the fiery disco of the 80s, a spectacular outfit for women, and aggressive makeup. Nowadays it is customary to idealize the "Disco" style, to elevate to the rank of bright colors, shiny fabrics, catchy accessories, lush hairstyles, emphasized sexuality.

It has become fashionable to hold themed corporate events - parties in the style of the 80s, creating an appropriate fashionable image. However, not everyone knows that this era in women's clothing (and not only) is much deeper and more diverse, which is why it continues to remain an inexhaustible source of inspiration for creative people. To understand this better and more subtly, let us plunge into the era.

Signs of the era

First of all, it should be remembered that the style of the 80s was formed during a time of total shortage of goods, the presence of blacksmiths and the complete absence of the Internet. For the elite from civil servants, there were corresponding Model Houses and shops with imported goods, and for foreigners - specialized shops "Berezka".

Ordinary part of the population bought goods with brand names or labels only "by pull" or, having defended huge queues in stores. That is why then most of the population mastered the knitting technique, many had sewing machines. Women's clothing was created literally out of nothing, even outerwear. Any pieces of fabric and patterns from fashion magazines, mainly from the socialist abroad, were used. This is how skilful fashionistas of those times created bright eccentric outfits, about which they later began to make up legends, and according to which they are now trying to recreate the party style of the 80s.

These facts explain the presence of an abundance of knitted models in fashion, which were quite voluminous, certainly with increased shoulders thanks to special overlays on the shoulder line. Shoulder pads were present in literally all models, even in summer ones, because the X-shaped silhouette was in fashion. To increase the volume of the shoulders, shoulder straps, draperies, yokes, puffs and lanterns were also used.

Diverse and incredible style

Thanks to the signs of that time, fashion can be called diverse, and in its most extreme manifestations: one part of the population only recognized its own way of dressing and did not at all recognize the other. The following styles can be distinguished in women's clothing:

  • business;
  • sports (aerobics);
  • romantic;
  • evening (the most eccentric, quoted and beloved by all subsequent generations).

They are united by the hourglass silhouette, which was achieved by an extended shoulder line and an accentuated waist. Wide belts were actively used, which sometimes resembled a corset. There were soft draperies along the hips, not only on skirts, but also in trousers. It was then that the revolutionary styles of trousers called "bananas" came into vogue. Collars were an important accent - stands and the so-called “apache” shape were very fashionable. For outerwear, an asymmetric zipper was used, which was sewn in obliquely, especially in leather jackets and jeans. This is where the leather jackets came from.

Articles describing the style of the 80s usually sin with cliches like: the more colorful, the cooler, bright provocative makeup, voluminous hairstyles, rhinestones and sparkles. All this is rather applicable to the "Disco" style. Do not think that in this form the girl went to work or study.

Business lady

Clothes for business women consisted mainly of straight silhouettes with an extended shoulder line and a stand-up collar - now it is called the "case" model or models in the shape of an inverted triangle. They were dresses with a low armhole and a boat-shaped neckline, kimono-cut sleeves with dropped shoulders and a tapered skirt.

Slender women were instructed to emphasize the waist with a belt, but loose fit was also in trend, especially for larger sizes. With the light hand of Alla Pugacheva, baggy dresses with free sleeves in a "bat" style appeared in fashion. Plaid or striped patterns were especially popular in casual fabrics, but bright solid colors were also welcome. Shoes - classic pumps or pointed shoes with thin heels 5-6 centimeters high.

Youth officialdom

Youth fashion made its own adjustments to the business style: baggy styles with one-cut sleeves and free armholes were fitted by the most fashionable female students for voluminous blouses in bright colors (in winter these were knitted models). They were worn with short tight skirts - a pretty spectacular look.

An example of a casual style for any age was a trouser suit with a tapered trouser shape. It was complemented by a jacket of the same color with voluminous shoulders and a contrasting knitted top or turtleneck.

And schoolgirls, as you know, did not dress so pretentiously as they do now, but wore strict brown dresses or blouses with a "white top-black bottom" skirt to school.

Romantic young lady

Young girls were especially fond of the romantic style. It was characterized by lush skirts such as "sun", "year", "tulip", "balloon", "tatyanka" and various cascading cuts. All kinds of ruffles and flounces, frills and frills were readily used. Length - from super short "mini" to floor-length models. Shoes for a romantic style - sandals, ballet flats, stilettos.

Oh, sport - you are the world!

The Olympics, which burst into the country in 1980, turned stereotypes, mixed styles and left a special imprint on the wardrobe of that time. It was fashionable and prestigious to go in for sports. Sportswear was rapidly gaining popularity. For active recreation, young people preferred light blue jeans, worn or "boiled" - a symbol of the rebellious spirit. Faded models with whitish tints were worn with cropped tee tops. For the fall, they preferred leather jackets with rivets and leather skirts. From shoes - sneakers or sneakers with gaiters.

Aerobics as a way of life

Then they did not know the word "fitness", but they said "aerobics". A whole musical direction appeared, replicating energetic music, to which representatives of that generation were engaged. At the same time, a sporty style in clothing emerged, which at first was characteristic of training in the gym, then its elements went far beyond its limits.

Bright, shiny leggings, and later - shorter "cycling shorts" made of synthetic elastic materials became the trend of the 80s. In the gym, they were dressed in combination with a bright swimsuit in fluorescent colors, preferably in a contrasting combination. An indispensable detail is a bright bandage on the forehead, which at first was a purely sports accessory, like plastic jewelry. Such clothes quickly migrated to the masses and turned into an extravagant option for a youth party or, as it was then called, discos.

American style

A great influence on the formation of the "Disco" style was the American style of the 80s, because the brightest images appeared against the background of musical and dance music of famous foreign stars, they set the tone not only with music, but with clothes and all manner of demeanor.

At the disco of the 80s, one could find a combination of spectacular black leggings with mini-skirts and voluminous shiny blouses or tight-fitting dresses in bright colors with an abundance of sequins, sequins and rhinestones. Even fishnet or patterned tights should have sparkled thanks to the addition of lurex threads. Stiletto heels or platform pumps were also adorned with sparkling crystals or eye-catching buckles. Evening dresses were made of satin and silk, guipure and organza, velor and velvet. Sleeves are certainly lush, the outfit is complemented by all kinds of basques, flounces, bows.

Fashion is cyclical, and everyone knows that. Each iconic era is sure to return to us in a new round, we adopt its features and remake it in a new way. And it is so nice sometimes to find a vintage thing in my mother’s wardrobe and supplement her, already modern wardrobe with it. Now it's especially important to rummage through old things. The 80s and 90s are returning to us with their unrestrainedness, brightness and permissiveness. The Relax.by team turned to Nastasya and Daria, who founded the My muse vintage movement, to tell us about the main features of fashion in the 70s, 80s, 90s. And of course, they showed by their example how to wear vintage.

Nastasya: The 70s is the era of hippies, boho-chic. These are long, flowing floor-length dresses, interesting prints, textures, suede, hanging pieces of fabric, suede "gladiators". In general, the era of freedom, when people got the opportunity to wear what they want, to express themselves through style and clothing.

Darya: The 70s were diverse and eclectic. A variety of styles have swept through the decade: retro, ethnic, classic, romantic, folk, gypsy, hippie, lingerie, sports, military and safari, disco, unisex, diffuse. And the main motto of this era is layering and combinatorialism.

The unisex style, which appeared in fashion in the 1960s, strengthened its position in the 1970s. Everything that is possible for a man has become possible for a woman, everything that is possible for a woman is also allowed for a man. Walking in the same clothes was quite in the style of the times.

The hippie subculture had a huge impact on fashion in the 1960s and 1970s. A kind of hippie symbolism, ripped jeans, loose clothing with elements of folklore and low-tech (handmade), hairstyles, jewelry - all this has become an integral part of big fashion. The style, which originated in the streets, has taken key positions in the pages of fashion magazines.

Nylon dresses and blouses with large bright patterns were in the wardrobe of almost every woman. Many gladly wore light synthetic fur coats, long fitted bright dresses. At the same time, the concept of "basic wardrobe" appeared, consisting of individual items that are easily assembled with each other. Midi and maxi lengths came into vogue.

The 1970s fashionista's wardrobe was unthinkable without a trouser suit. Over the course of the decade, trousers have periodically changed their width: flared along the entire length, flared from the knee, super flared from the hip, and, finally, in the last years of the decade, no flare, narrow trousers have come into fashion. Another iconic item of the seventies is a thin sweater with a high stand-up collar, known in the USSR as a "turtleneck".

Also in vogue were ponchos, knitted of multi-colored threads, platform shoes, clothes in safari and military styles. Then the disco style was born. Among the directions, Twiggy's style is also worth noting: short dresses, graphic drawings, monochromatic tights of different colors and rough flat shoes. And of course, bohemian chic, glam rock and punk

Nastasya: In the 80s, pomp and colorfulness dominate, freedom is even more felt. Velvet, bright fabrics, flounces are in fashion. In addition to bright fabrics, Yves Saint Laurent introduces pantsuits. They were relevant before, but they are interpreted in a new manner, broad shoulders appear. Make-up and accessories are becoming important accents. And the brighter the better. This is the famous time for pink lipsticks and blue eyeshadows. Many makeup artists are intimidated by this time, calling it "the most insipid", but we need to be prepared, because this spring, the fashion of the 80s is returning.

I really love the 80s. Probably because one of my favorite cities for vintage shopping is Barcelona, ​​and there are a lot of things from the 80s. It was there that I found a velvet purple dress with tinted purple lace, a slit on one knee, an open back, and long sleeves. This time amazes me with its brightness, now not every girl can afford this. But thanks to fashion, which pushes us not to be afraid of the brightness of colors and to be bolder.

Darya: Yes, in the 80s everything was kind of “too”: too narrow, too voluminous, too catchy, too bright. The list of iconic items from a decade of stylistic binge is impressive: padded shoulders, banana pants, military and safari clothing, kimono, bat and raglan sleeves, inverted triangle clothing, wide belts, black fishnet tights, frayed denim, so-called dumplings, massive bijouterie, jewelry buttons on jackets, voluminous hairstyles or styling with the effect of "wet hair", cascading haircuts, spiral perm, hair of decorative flowers such as "eggplant", highlighting with "feathers".

Neoclassicism has come into vogue. The mass hobby for sports and aerobics continued. The sexy style, emphasizing all the dignity of the figure, was very popular. Often, for the greatest effect, new materials were used to achieve maximum fit (leggings, knitted tube dress, tube skirt). The unisex style, firmly rooted in life, has made raincoat jackets, down-padded jackets, and moon boots as mass clothes. Structural designs with accentuated broad shoulders, slender waists and rounded hips defined the '80s silhouette.

But you shouldn't forget about the "romantic style" either. He was primarily associated with Princess Diana. And for the photo session, I chose him.

Darya: The 90s is a time when "fashion itself went out of fashion." They dressed in a lot. The Soviet severity in the suit was replaced by eclecticism, asymmetric cut, “gouge out your eyes” colors ... Everyone wanted to stand out, but most could not. And most often they could not afford it: the time was difficult. And nevertheless, today many people feel nostalgia for the "dashing 90s". Including the style of that time (or, perhaps, just because of its absence?).

It was the "golden time" of denim! Everything from denim was fashionable: shorts, skirts, shirts, jackets, and overalls ... At the very beginning of the 90s, jeans continued to be "boiled", twisted, pulled, boiled in bleach or vinegar. And then the label was often sewn on too! For greater "steepness".

Adidas tracksuits and trainers were popular with both women and men. But the latter enjoyed special love. In tracksuits we went to work, to a disco and dates. Oh, and if there was the coveted Adidas inscription - there was no price for such a suit!

And those famous ornamented sweaters! If a fashion man did not wear a crimson jacket or tracksuit, then he almost certainly did not crawl out of ornamented sweaters. By the way, girls did not disdain such sweaters either. True, among the fair sex it was fashionable to wear artificially elongated voluminous sweaters under leggings.

The love of silhouettes with broad shoulders migrated to the 90s from the 80s. Women's raincoats, jackets and sweaters with wide shoulders have been popular for almost the entire decade. Nowhere and without bolognese jackets.

As for evening dresses, in the mid-90s they became tight-fitting and shiny (so far, little has changed here). Flared trousers, which appeared in the 19th century as the uniform of American sailors, became popular in Russia for the second time in the mid-90s (the first wave came in the 60s - 70s). Both girls and boys wore them. The fashionable flare in our country began not from the hip, but from the knee. In those days it was impossible to do without leggings of all colors of the rainbow. Gold, silver, bright pink, dark purple, mother-of-pearl, acid raver - there was a “own” pair for every taste. Such leggings were worn both in a feast and in the world, and their combination with a T-shirt with a print and "jeans" was considered especially stylish. Also, I think everyone remembers the tops with the iconic print from Titanic.

By the way, the use of accessories was very important in the fashion of the 90s: headbands, bandanas, caps, tattoo chokers, electronic watches. Not everyone had enough money for the iconic Montana electronic watch, as well as for the jeans of the same name. Therefore, fashionable youth "invested" in Chinese counterparts, which filled all the stores. This accessory was also unisex: fashionistas of both genders showed off to their friends.

Of course, makeup was also catchy in the 90s: blue eye shadow, brown lip liner. Now such a coloring, perhaps, will be called a combat one. They did not hesitate to make an accent both on the eyes and on the lips at the same time. And we all remember the fleece. Real women of fashion spent half a day erecting huge bouffants, onto which they poured half a bottle of hairspray on top. The second half of the balloon went to the bangs, which were also combed so that it "stood".

Nastasya: Oh, I found pink Adidas sweatpants in my mom's closet. I love them and still wear them. And also shorts. These leather ones, for example. And high waisted denim short ones are perfect. I think that almost everyone can find jeans that were checked for the quality of the fabric by burning them with a lighter. I also got jackets from my mother. Also from the nineties. And light dresses made of chintz or cotton. They are in wonderful condition! We often get something out of the chests, and it "works", it is very relevant right now. Just recently Dasha sent me a photo where she measures a shiny dress at the age of 10 - the last peep now!


Relax.by news in your feed and on your phone! Follow us on