Talking about the 1980s is fun. Maybe you picture bad perms or shell suits. Endless episodes of Dynasty could come to mind. Style is not everyone’s first thought on the eighties. Honestly, that feels kind of unfair to me.
Contrary to popular belief, the decade held amazing fashion moments. These styles really have staying power still today. The 1990s went minimal after the eighties loved ‘more is more’. It embraced bright, look-at-me colours quite a bit. That previous decade gave lots of style inspiration. It brought novelty and pure experimentation too. People weren’t afraid to dress how they felt inside.
We’re here to say the 1980s was stylish. In fact, super stylish women rocked great outfits back then. We are completely obsessed with some still now. Power dressing shattered glass ceilings for ladies. Accessories shouted personality very loudly. Eighties looks still feel relevant right now.
So, are you feeling nostalgic today? Maybe hunting for some cool modern style inspiration. Buckle up if you are thinking about it. We are diving into some top eighties trends. These iconic moments we still absolutely do love.
1. The Headband Okay, Madonna’s reign wasn’t just music at all. It felt like a full sensory experience for fans. Her style kept evolving constantly throughout time. She knew how to use fashion, hair, and makeup. This gave her look a fresh, exciting edge repeatedly. When she burst out in the eighties, she set trends. Certain accessories became synonymous with her image. Lace gloves were iconic, and layered necklaces were too. One piece really stood out above others always.
This became her signature headband, you see. Not just any headband, mind you, ever. It was often large, really demanding attention now. She wasn’t scared to add texture and detail. This made a look feel rich and layered over time. Wide or embellished, worn high or pulled low. This simple item completed her rebellious pop look.
The way she styled them was important. Often messy hair or a dramatic updo was there. This look was described as “textural heaven” by others. Looking back now, we are still totally obsessed. It defined her early, influential style easily. This captured the fun, experimental eighties spirit perfectly.
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2. Power Suits Forget blending into the background always. Eighties boardrooms announced their presence powerfully. This was the time of power dressing for women. It symbolized empowerment and self-expression visibly. It moved from work to glittering night scenes too. Women weren’t only wearing suits, you know? They were always wearing ambition like a uniform.
These suits had a distinct look to them. Think boxy shapes that always gave strength. Killer lapels added sharpness and attitude quite well. They framed the face and shoulders strongly, everyone thought. Peplum blazers cinched waists effectively. This kept that structured look going still. These outfits “meant business” very clearly. It projected confidence in a changing world for women.
Joan Collins led the charge for power suits. Her character Alexis on Dynasty showed the style. Nolan Miller designed her amazing wardrobe often. Her on-screen looks showed eighties power suits. Princess Diana wore elements of this trend later. She added shoulder pads to evening wear sometimes. This made the power suit a defining style easily.
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3. Shoulder Pads Does any item scream “1980s!” louder, maybe? They were integral to those power suits we saw. Shoulder pads need their own moment, I think. They always had such an impact on the silhouette. They were more than just extra padding always. They were a statement piece for sure. They literally built strength into the look completely.
These simple items changed jacket shapes. Dresses and blouses got a new form from them. They created a broader, angular upper body shape. This often contrasted with a cinched waistline always. The context says they symbolized strength itself. They gave wearers a more formidable presence outwardly. It showed the empowerment women felt then. They made a bold statement quietly but loudly.
Even style icons like Princess Diana used them. She was often known for her polished looks. While her daytime style had “girlish charm.” Her evening wear got more powerful later on. She put shoulder pads into her gowns a bit. This always gave her outfits a “strong silhouette”. It fit her position as an influential woman completely.
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4. Relaxed Silhouettes The eighties are known for bold, structured looks. But they also had softer, relaxed styles present. Kate Bush was a “bona fide free spirit,” for sure. Her hits were always late seventies, early eighties. She impacted music and style choices too. Kate represented a different fashion facet honestly.
Kate Bush liked relaxed-fit, flowy shapes. This starkly contrasted the sharp lines seen elsewhere. Her clothing choices echoed “the spirit of her music.” Her music was unconventional and boundary-pushing always. Her fashion was her artistic expression totally. It favored movement and a sense of ease completely.
We love her use of peasant dresses and big shirts. These items highlight her comfort focus. They showed a bohemian feel in high-octane fashion. Her influence proved impact didn’t need sharp angles. Sometimes relaxed style spoke volumes for individuality.
5. Gold Hoops Eighties accessories were never subtle. They were always loud and quite exaggerated. Frankly, more was better, I think so. But certain pieces stood out, being cool. Enter the gold hoop earring, a classic now. Sade is one of the “incomparable beauties of the 1980s.” She made this piece iconic for all of us.
Choosing one defining fashion moment for Sade is hard. Her Live Aid outfit is legendary, the context stated. It had a chic dress with a high neckline. This gave way to a backless design quite well. The crisp white looked stunning with her skin. It created a look that was both sophisticated and striking.
What finished this perfect picture off? Her sleek braid, red lip, and the accessory. That essential eighties “chunky gold hoop combo” was there. These weren’t tiny studs; they were big hoops. They added glamour and boldness to her look often. Sade showed jewelry can punctuate an outfit.
6. Cropped Leather Jackets Leather jackets have meant cool for a long time. The eighties gave them a distinct edge for sure. It pushed them beyond just biker wear completely. The “Denim Jacket Revival” showed staples changing. Leather jackets evolved too; new shapes appeared. It wasn’t just about being useful anymore; it was about attitude.
A fresh-faced Cindy Crawford showed this look. She attended The Love Ball in 1989, you know. She was starting her “stratospheric supermodel era.” Cindy was seen “repping an extremely glossy vinyl jacket.” This wasn’t usual matte leather at all. The glossy finish added a late-eighties vibe, honestly.
Her voluminous mane steals the show. But the jacket stands out too, still today. It is one we would totally wear this outerwear now. The cropped length felt modern and versatile then. It went easily with different looks constantly. It captured the transition to sleek, bold styles quickly. This proved the cropped leather jacket is cool.
Wow, the 1980s was really something special and different, right? From strong power dressing and big accessories to the rise of supermodels being everywhere. And the brave artistry of designers like Bob Mackie. This decade never wanted to be quiet when it could be loud instead.
It was a time when people tried new things boldly. There were bright colors everywhere you looked. There was a general feeling of fun that still feels exciting today. Looking back at these famous trends reminds us of something important. Fashion is supposed to show who you are inside. It can be loud or quiet. Rebellious or full of glamour and fancy things.
And maybe, just possibly, it is time to find some clothes we forgot. Embrace just a little bit of that eighties feeling again. And dress exactly the way we feel right now. No matter how much ‘extra’ it might seem to others!
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