The ’80s were all about pushing the limits in terms of colors, prints, and geometric shapes. People weren’t afraid to mix materials, patterns, stripes, polka dots, sequins, and the list goes on!
1. Neon
Believe it or not, in the ’80s, fluorescent (or simply neon for those in the know) was a sign of good taste. We wore it from head to toe, mixing colors without shame. The most important thing was to be seen—from afar!
2. Shoulder Pads
For some unknown reason, in the ’80s this “coat-hanger” style was all the rage with men and women alike. Shoulder pads lent a broad-shoulder look to any jacket (preferably pastel), but you could also sport them under a blouse or, even worse, a sweater—neon, of course.
3. Acid-Washed Jeans
The ’80s were the glorious era of acid-washed jeans. How many of us sanded our jeans or washed them with bleach to recreate this style? This trend applied to anything denim: jeans, shorts, jackets. The rule of thumb was to wear them all at the same time. It was acid wash from head to toe.
4.Spandex
Spandex was everywhere in the ’80s and any excuse to wear it was a good one! From rock stars (like the Scorpions or Iron Maiden) to actors who thought they were aerobics instructors, like Olivia Newton-John, to name but one.
5. The Side Ponytail
6. Make-Up
Forget the natural look, when it came to make-up, the ’80s motto was the more, the merrier! Eyeshadow all the way up to the eyebrows, thick red lipstick, bright pink blush, and blue mascara were just some of the supplies required to paint—sorry, embellish—your face.
7. The Fanny Pack
An ’80s staple, the fanny pack can still be seen even today! Nobody can deny how hideous it is, but you have to admit it was pretty handy for carrying around your Pogs and Tamagotchi.
8. The Mullet
Any man alive during the ’80s surely sported this classic “business in the front, party in the back” style. Long and messy down the neck, but clean cut up front, the mullet paired perfectly with a thin moustache.
9. The Perm
Hair wasn’t just big in the ’80s, it was enormous! The bigger, the better. And who was to blame? The perm! This trend was also a “big” hit among men and women.
10. Dancewear
In the ’80s, you didn’t have to be a dancer to don dancewear. Everyone was wearing neon legwarmers, tights, and leotards at all times. Movies like Flashdance and Dirty Dancing were definitely to blame.
11. The Scrunchie
The ’80s were all about the scrunchie. This sparkly fashion faux-pas could be found in every horrendous colour, from emerald green to lavender, and crowned the heads of all young girls. Rumour has it that this trend might be making a comeback—a little hard to believe!
12. The Bucket Hat
Combine velour and a floral pattern with a floppy brim that looks a bit like a bucket and presto—you’ve got all the elements of a major fashion mistake.
13. Tracksuits
In the ’80s, tracksuits could be spotted everywhere, except the gym. Trendy and comfy, tracksuits slowly wormed their way into schoolyards and suburban streets until even our parents were wearing them to the grocery store or the office.
14. Stirrup Pants
Before leggings, there were stirrup pants. These stretchy pants with a strap under the foot lent the legs a seriously unflattering triangular shape. They made the perfect combo with your favourite Au Coton pullover—comfy, but dead ugly!
15. Futuristic Sunglasses
Just because it’s flashy, doesn’t mean it’s pretty. In the ’80s, futuristic sunglasses multiplied at lightning speed. Giant, off-the-wall, and like a sculpture straight out of the fourth dimension, these in-your-face sunglasses were a hallmark of the era.
16. Crimped Hair
You were waiting for it: the famous crimped hair look! Between 1980 and 1989, no young girl could resist this trend that involved crimping her hair with an iron designed specifically for this purpose, turning smooth, healthy hair into a big, disheveled mess.
17. Huge Earrings
They can always be bigger! That was the motto for earrings in the ’80s, when you could see girls (and guys!) with the equivalent of two bowling balls dangling from their earlobes. Who can forget the classic hoop earrings that almost reached your shoulders? Not to mention that “chic” plastic was a hot item at the time.
18. Cotton Sweats
It was an epidemic! Everyone was wearing sweats from head to toe in school, at work, and even in bars. At the time, Au Coton was in its full glory, only to die a natural death two decades later, once we realized that dressing exclusively in soft cottons is bad for your mental health.
19. Popped Collars
For a more serious look, nothing could beat the popped collar. A classic among preppies, this trend paired perfectly with the sweater around the neck and nonchalant medium-length hair. You glanced in the mirror before heading out, popped your collar, and proudly proclaimed: I’ve got the look.
20. Plastic Charm Necklaces
They could hear us coming a mile away, with our necklaces and bracelets jangling with plastic charms. Seriously high-class jewelery! We collected them, traded them, lost them, and bought more. This trend was truly bad for the environment and your back!
21. Mom Jeans
Worn by moms for years until the ’80s hit, and then every girl had a pair of her own. But why? With their tapered legs and high waist that made your butt and hips look bigger, a sack of potatoes would have been sexier.
22. Hypercolor
Remember this popular trend that lasted about three days in the ’80s? At first you thought it was a regular T-shirt, until, as if by magic, it suddenly changed color in the sun or from the heat of a hand touching it. But really, we all knew it was just an excuse to get free hugs.
23. The Headband
In the ’80s, everyone wore a headband—from rock stars to teenage girls. This fashion trend spread like wildfire. Admittedly, it was great for keeping all that big, permed hair out of your face.
24. The Mini Miniskirt
In the ’80s, the miniskirt reached its pinnacle in terms of mini-ness, sometimes so small that it was hardly even there, like in this photo. Made from all kinds of fabrics, like denim, vinyl, or cotton, the miniskirt was the perfect match for another ’80s classic, the off-the-shoulder oversized sweatshirt.
25. Men’s Pastel Suits
Thank you, Miami Vice, for encouraging thousands of men to don pastel suits with oversized jackets, big shoulders, and baggy pants. To complete the look, men also had to wear a tight-fitting T-shirt underneath and, above all, no socks.
26. Faux Leather Bomber Jacket
Oh, the ’80s bomber jacket! This popular item seemed to include all the fashion faux-pas: fake leather, hideous appliqués, oversized sleeves, cut above the waist, and even neon lining. If you still have one of these “gems” hiding out in your closet, please, burn it.
27. Geometric Prints
The ’80s were all about pushing the limits in terms of colors, prints, and geometric shapes. People weren’t afraid to mix materials, patterns, stripes, polka dots, sequins, and the list goes on! Why? To get attention, of course!