The 1980s were a decade known for bright colors and maximalist style. Light blue jeans, statement jackets, layers, texture, and big feathered hair dominated 80s fashion.
This was a time with a lot of different subcultures and musical styles influencing fashion. An array of influences combined with a “more is more” attitude made the 1980s a decade with a lot going on fashion-wise. From athletic wear to rock and roll or preppy-inspired styles and lots in between, we’ll cover the main iconic styles of the 1980s.
80's Clothing Styles
Both women and men often had a lot of textured and feathered hair with lots of volume. Hairbows and bands kept big hair off the face. Bright eyeshadow in colors like blue and purple and thick eyeliner adorned faces and jewelry were piled on. Multiple necklaces and bangles were often worn together and paired with large hoop earrings.
Aerobic wear was popular, with high-cut leg openings on body suits and leg warmers, and big hair tied back in a scrunchie. Men and women wore sweatbands around the forehead and wrists. Tracksuits and windbreaker jackets were another 80s aerobic staple for any gender, young or old.
“Power Suits” were created to make women feel powerful by combining a more traditional suit with the exaggerated shapes of the 80s. Women had more financial power than in the past and dressed the part.
For dressing up or go to work, the power suit had large shoulder pads and the jacket was often boxy. The jackets could be belted to accentuate the waist for a more feminine shape while still having the large shoulder pads and were often double-breasted. The bottom portion of the power suit for women could be pleated trousers or a skirt.
Pinstripe suiting was popular for a more traditional look, but power suits were also available in the bright 80s color palette. Usually worn with a blouse underneath the jacket and gold-toned jewelry.
How did Michael Jackson and Madonna influence fashion styles of the 1980s?
In the 1980s, pop and rock stars heavily influenced fashion and were seen in exaggerated 80s fashion on TV. Michael Jackson and Madonna were both trendsetters known for their fearless bold style. People were inspired by how they dressed and attempted to copy aspects of their looks.
Michael Jackson’s iconic looks usually involved a statement jacket - a tuxedo, bomber jacket, or ornate leather moto jacket. They were usually heavily embellished - either with sequins for sparkle, moto style with lots of buckles, or military-inspired with gold braid and epaulets. The red bomber jacket worn in the “Thriller” music video is a great example of his signature style, with color blocking and shoulder detail that created the triangle-shaped silhouette of the era.
Madonna was an 80s-style icon who loved to layer textures and fabrics and push the boundaries of fashion. In the early 80s, her signature look included lace leggings, a fluffy tiered skirt, leather jackets, fingerless gloves, and piles of necklaces. She also wore corsets and bustiers as tops for lingerie-inspired looks that cinched in the waist.
Both Jackson and Madonna blended current trends with their own personal style for truly iconic pop stardom looks that trickled down to regular consumers. While the average consumer wouldn’t be fully copying either Jackson’s or Madonna’s outfit, elements of their outfits such as Madonna’s fingerless lace gloves and Jackson’s bold-colored jackets would inspire items sold at shopping malls to the masses.
80s Clothing Style
The overall shape of the era had larger shoulders. While a lot of tops and jackets were baggy, they were often brought in at the waist to create a bit of a “triangle” shape with broad shoulders and a small waist. Belts worn over tops or jackets accentuated the waist and created a contrast to large shoulders, and loose tops were often tucked into the waistband of pants or tied to the side.
Blazers and jackets were known for having thick shoulder pads and even blouses for women often had shoulder pads to help create that fashionable silhouette. Button-down blouses were often worn with the last few buttons at the bottom undone and then tied at the waist to accentuate it, creating that billowy look with a small waist.
The 1980s were known as a time of excess with a lot of pattern, color, and texture for men and women. Men’s fashions had a lot of the same elements as women’s did at the time, like structured jackets and blazers with large shoulders and tighter light-wash denim. The 80s casual cool for guys would consist of jeans and high-top sneakers with a bright t-shirt and a jacket. This could be a windbreaker, jean jacket, or leather jacket depending on his personal style and interests.
For a more preppy or “yuppie” look, khaki pants (often pleated at the front) with tucked-in button-down or golf shirts, a belt, and a blazer or a sweater over the shoulders. Again, it’s the 80s, so bold colors or prints for shirts would express the wearer’s personality.
Accessories for men included gold chains for a more hip-hop-inspired look, watches, and sweatbands for an athletic aesthetic. Shoes could be white sneakers and tube socks, shiny dress shoes with laces, or combat boots. Neckties with suits also added color and expressed personality.
The 1980s was one of the most eclectic fashion decades with a “more is more” attitude and a lot of different styles to choose from for any age or gender. From the aerobic class look of leggings and windbreakers to suits with large shoulder pads or denim jackets with fingerless lace gloves, there was a lot for an 80s fashionista to choose from.