80s FASHIONS
The 1980s fashion was defined by a rejection of 1970s fashion. The punk style arose in response to both the hippie movement of the last decades and the materialist principles of the current decade. The first half of the decade was relatively mild as compared to the second half when fashion became extremely bright and vibrant in look.
Hair was often large, curly, bouffant, and extensively styled in the 1980s. Dynasty and other television shows helped popularise the high volume bouffant and glamorous image linked with it. Women wore colorful, thick makeup throughout the 1980s. In the 1980s, everyday fashion included light-colored lips, dark and thick eyelashes, and pink or red rouge (also known as blush).
THE EARLY 1980S
In the early 1980s, there was a trend away from the vividly colored disco clothes of the late 1970s and towards a more minimalist approach to fashion, with less focus on accessories. In the United States and Europe, the utility was valued equally with aesthetics. Clothing colors in the United Kingdom and America were muted, peaceful, and basic; different tones of brown, tan, cream, and orange were common.
Unisex and gender-specific apparel were popular in the early 1980s. Sweaters (turtleneck, crew neck, and v-neck styles); fur-lined puffer jackets; tunics; faux-fur coats; velvet blazers; and trench coats (in both imitation and real leather) were prominent women’s trends in the early 1980s.
crop tops; tube tops; knee-length skirts (of any length chosen by the designers); loose, flowy, knee-length dresses (with high-cut and low-cut necklines, different sleeve lengths, and created in a range of fabrics).of fabrics including cotton, silk, satin, and polyester); high-waisted loose pants; embroidered jeans; leather pants; and designer jeans Despite the fact that jeans were not as popular as they were in the 1970s. Women’s trousers of the 1980s were generally worn with long inseams, and by 1982, flared jeans had become popular.
Sneakers, jelly shoes (a new fashion at the time), mules, round-toed shoes and boots, jelly bracelets (influenced by Madonna in 1983), shoes with thick heels, small, thin necklaces (with a variety of materials, such as gold and pearls) and small watches were popular women’s accessories from 1980 to 1983.
MID-1980S
Wool sport coats, Levi 501s, Hawaiian shirts, shell suits, hand-knit sweaters, sports shirts, hoodies, flannel shirts, reversible flannel vests, jackets with quilted insides, nylon jackets, gold rings, spandex cycling shorts, cowboy boots, Sperry boat shoes, Sperrys white sneakers, Eastland boat shoes, khaki pants with jagged seams.
Madonna, a budding music singer in the 1980s, was a huge influence on female fashion. Her “street urchin” look, which includes short skirts worn over leggings, necklaces, rubber bracelets, fishnet gloves, hairbows, long layered strings of beads, bleached, unkempt hair with dark roots, headbands, and so on, was a hit with the public. and lace ribbons, first made her mark on the dance music scene. Millions of teenage girls throughout the world imitated her fashion choices during her “Like a Virgin” phase, which included brassieres worn as outerwear, massive crucifix jewelry, lace gloves, tulle skirts, and boy toy belts.
By this time, women had gained much more workplace confidence and had advanced in their careers. Women in this decade tried to appear more capable by mimicking a masculine appearance through dress. As a result, they would dress in empowering apparel that screamed masculinity, helping women appear more professional by matching the masculine majority. This would be achieved through features such as bigger shoulders with cushioning and longer sleeves. Dresses with slender or thick belts, pleated or simple skirts, tights or pantyhose, above the ankle length pants with pantyhose or tights underneath, ballerina flat dress shoes, long sweaters, boat shoes, and slouchy flat short-length boots were among the other items.
Following the mid-1980s Western economic boom, the younger generation had less influence in fashion since they had less of an impact on the market. The elder generations, who were more financially secure and were influenced by worldwide political news, were the primary consumers. The British Conservative Party backed Thatcherism in the United Kingdom. Margaret Thatcher, the female head of the British Conservative Party, in her power suit, swiftly became one of the 1980s’ most recognizable emblems. Thatcher’s suits were usually a single color toned with a matching cap, jacket, and skirt that ended below the knee. Her normal clothing included a broad shoulder and a pearl necklace. Her political manner was direct, effective, and occasionally criticized.
ALSO, READ- How to spot fake luxury clothing item
THE LATE 1980S
The tiny skirt was the only length supported by fashion designers from 1987 until the early 1990s. Although skirts of any length were acceptable in previous years, the short skirt received special attention, particularly among adolescent girls and young women when worn with tights, pantyhose, leggings, or slouch socks. Shoulder pads become smaller and smaller. Brightly colored shoes with small heels, slim multicolored belts, berets, lacy gloves, beaded necklaces, and plastic bracelets were popular accessories in Britain, France, and America.
The late 1980s also saw the birth of Indo-Western fashion and haute couture fashion in India, which would eventually acquire global acclaim in the 1990s. Red and white were prominent colors, often with exquisite embroidery. Although most women continued to wear sarees, Bollywood performers had access to both Western designer outfits and locally made garments such as the Anarkali ballgown.
Leggings with an oversized v-neck sweater over a turtleneck, slouch socks, Keds (shoes) or Sperrys and fringe with a headband or ponytail and scrunchie, cheerful trousers (homemade pants with bold designs and vivid colors), and opaque tights. Colors that were popular were neon hues, plum, gold, pinks, blues, and brilliant wines.
