Back in the day, I knew a thing or too about 80s outfits – I may have even thought I was a bit of an 80s style icon!
Fortunately Sadly, there aren’t many photos of my style in the early 80’s, so you will just have to use your imagination 😉 .
I was still at high school, and on a very limited (non-existent) budget, so mostly, I coveted the latest must-haves from the sidelines …
- Does anybody else remember happy shoes – flat Mary-Janes made out of black canvas, mass produced in China, and cheap as chips?
- It was the era of the “New Romantics” in music (Adam Ant, Duran Duran) and fashion. So typical 80s outfits featured ruffled pirate shirts, black velvet knickerbockers, brocade and waistcoats.
- My Senior Formal in 1983 was memorable for the huge amount of taffeta that was sacrificed for our dresses!
The Mid 80’s
The mid 80’s (1984 – 1986) were my college years. Some of my favourite 80s outfits for everyday included:
- pastel polo shirts in the warmer months;
- leg warmers in winter (my favourite colours were jade green, and purple);
- neon anything.
Typical 80s outfits for going out, featured satin shirts, dangly earrings, and dressing a la Madonna – heavy chains and cross necklaces, layered t-shirts and tank tops, and a bandana in my hair.
The Late 80’s
The late 80’s are packed with great memories, as the hubster and I first met in 1987 😉 .
This was the era when big hair reigned surpreme, and I used to rock 80s outfits which included:
- a black leather mini skirt;
- acid wash denim;
- t-shirts with a bright Ken Done print on the front;
- lots of studs;
- banana clips in my hair – a great way to tie your hair back, but not lose the length like with a ponytail 🙂 ;
- and by 1989, natural colours (brown, bottle green, navy etc) – it was the start of what I call the “Country Road” era.
Which 80’s Outfits Are Still in Style?
Looking back over my 80’s outfits, there isn’t much that I would wear these days – and I don’t think Miss 19 would be caught dead in any of them either!
I’ve been known to still wear denim and studs, and pastels and bright pink – but in more moderate versions.
I guess that was the thing with 80’s style – everything was big, bold, bright and completely over the top – before moving into the neutrals and naturals of the nineties.
Were you a bit of an 80s style icon too? What sort of outfits did you wear?!