This week I’m bringing to life a bold, bright, and beautiful decade: the 80’s! When you think of the 80’s, crazy styles probably come to mind. I’ve heard horror stories involving hairspray, achieving that big hair wasn’t always easy! But the 80’s were also a time of high fashion, bringing back the luxury designs that weren’t sought after in the seventies. We will take a look at all aspects of this radical decade, so pull on your leg warmers and lets get started!

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Due to a large economic boom, the 80’s began with a bang. More money meant more luxury, and men and women deviated from flower child styles, instead going after high end designer brands. Trendy boutiques were common, bringing together styles from Paris and New York.

1982: Hawaiian born model, Marie Helvin, with the American model and wife of Mick Jagger, Jerry Hall, at Royal Ascot. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) url

Even though the trends were fashionable, that doesn’t always mean they weren’t outrageous (in a good way of course)!

Designer styles included thick shoulder pads, large accessories, and lots of velvet and velour. Everything was extra, and almost everything was high-waisted. url

The 80’s were also home to the punk era. Spiky hair, dip dye, all black clothing, and chunky accessories weren’t unusual. This trend was a counter culture to the bright blocky prints we normally associated with the 80’s.

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Of course, the 80’s were also host to a rainbow of neon colors and tight, bright clothing. A popular trend was a puffy sweatshirt or top with spandex bottoms. The 80’s ushered in my favorite article of clothing, the legging. Leggings were versatile and comfortable, and they could be worn with any top in any color. Usually neon colors were mixed and matched, paired with blocky prints.

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With leggings came leg warmers! Tube like socks open on both ends were commonly worn around the calf, adding flair to an already eye-catching outfit. Leg warmers were popular with exercise, as they were a key feature in many of the famous 80’s workout videos. Leg warmers are also making a slight comeback today, but now in toned down nude colors.

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MTV was another prominent influence in 80’s fashion. With music came music videos, and with music videos came a slew of unique outfits and styles created by famous pop stars.

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Items such as acid washed jeans and bright headbands were popular, artists such as Madonna and Olivia Newton John inspiring the trends. Cyndi Lauper was another huge icon, bringing about vibrant styles and a girls just wanna have fun attitude.

 600 × 290 – schoolofstyle.com 

Overall, the 80’s were a wild era with some outlandish trends, but as Coco Chanel once said, “Fashion is made to become unfashionable”.

http://library.wcsu.edu/dspace/bitstream/0/592/1/ALISON+KASS.AMERICAN+FASHION+THESIS.pdf

Fashion in the 1980s