Let’s talk about the 80s fashion world
The fashion of the 80s was mainly about more is more. No matter which style you were going for, the more concept would find its way in. The office look outfit was strong and in contrasting colors with heavily oversized shoulders. If you were looking for a groovy look, denim on denim, neon colors, and voluminous hair was the pick. The edgier look as in rock had leather, animal prints and black t-shirts with written quotes. The decade can be labeled as voluminous, over the top and go for big even when the clothing is relatively simple.
The past decades were the decades with a sharp use of prints. There were prints in the 1980s but not so famous as they were in the previous decades. This era was all about colors, from neon to pale pastels and primary colors. The colors were used in pairs with others for an impactful effect. Neutral shades as light grey, white and beige were also trendy.
The 1980s decade promoted more fashion icons than any previous one. It is difficult to think and imagine now, but in the 80s, there was no internet or mobile phones, TV offered limited channels and getting a chance to watch movies was a luxury. The common source of information regarding fashion for the general public were magazines, television and advertisement. This limited access gave a chance to few groups of music bands, celebrities, and garment brands to significantly influence 80s fashion trends.
Some big fashion brands were:
Nike, Adidas and Reebok sportswear
Fitness saw a craze in the 1980s and the sportswear of these companies was so famous that they became streetwear.
Watches by Swatch
Every other kid had a few of these inexpensive watches available in different patterns and bright colors.
Ray-Ban
Famous for their aviator and warfare sunglasses, a big pair of sunglasses were an essential fashionwear in the 1980s.
Celebrities who influenced 1980s fashion:
Princess Diana
Many 1980’s fashion trends started with Princess Diana, even though she never associated herself with the fashion industry. Loved by the world from Prince Charles’s first appearance, people emulated and noted her every move. Princess was the vital force behind iconic 1980’s clothing ranging from the feminine patterned and padded shoulders, the ‘Diana’ hairstyle, silk blouses and pearl earrings.
Jane Fonda
She was the first major star to create an exercise video. She was already popular in the fashion world because of her role in films like Barbarella. She received enduring popularity for the leotards and leg warmers that she gave to the 1980’s fashion trends using her exercise videos. It was Jane because which sports apparel came from the gym to the fashion shows and soon became a part of people’s daily 1980’s fashion wear.
Ella Macpherson
The 80’s witnessed the peak of the first high earner supermodels. They enhanced their recognition and fashion influence by endorsing household items. The product advertisements made models’ fashion styles and faces like Iman, Elle Macpherson, Brooke Shields and Janice Dickinson popular in every household.
