What Did Girl Wear Dresses in the 80s
The 80s are back, both in pop culture and in fashion. No matter whether you want to dress up for an '80s-themed party, are doing research on '80s fashion trends, or you just really like the looks from Stranger Things, we've got you covered. For more on what real '80s females wore, from denim to leotards to prom dresses, read on!
Skip the history and look at these 80s outfit ideas and clothing you can buy now:
Jeans | Vintage Dresses | Party Dresses | Shoes | Tops | Jackets | Workout | Costumes
80s Fashion Trends
What as popular fashion in the 80s? The answer depends on age, location and personal preference. There were a lot of fashion genres within 80s fashion making it hard to pin point only one look. For the sake of these article, I will focus on everyday fashion of the typical woman. Popular 80s fashions were:
- High waist denim jeans especially in pastel colors and acid wash finishes.
- Baggy oversize blouses with shoulder pads, hold in by a wide belt
- Ugly sweaters: loose knit sweaters wild patterns and colors
- Leggings- Colorful leggings worn under oversize tops. Add leg warmers and white high top sneakers.
- Denim jackets, leather jackets, blazer jackets layered over shirts and sweaters
- Padded shoulder dresses- metallic fabrics, Victorian lace, satin party dresses
- Flat shoes with all outfits. White or neo sneakers for sporty looks. Slouch boots for winter.
- Sweat suits, leotards, running shorts were worn all day. Add a terry cloth headband for Jazzercize class.
- Power suits for working women- Peplum skirt suits, padded dresses, silky blouses, dressy slacks and heels
1980s Jeans and Overalls
The '80s were the decade for designer denim, with Gloria Vanderbilt, Jordache, Calvin Klein, and Guess leading the pack. Designer jeans were especially popular with younger women, teens, and girls, and came in lots of colors and styles.
There were wide leg jeans, stretch pull on jeans, and colored jeans — especially pink, khaki, and white. They had a high waistline and a snug fit through the hips.
Many jeans were flat-front, although pleated front jeans were available. These, along with other pleated front pants, were typically worn by mature women.
Acid wash or stonewash jeans, previously only worn by subcultures like punks, entered mainstream fashion in the mid '80s.
Whitewash jeans, or jeans with an almost-white color due to heavy acid wash, were the most extreme form of acid washed jeans. The only place where dye was left on them was at the seams. Acid washed jeans are back in style now, so you can find new vintage-style jeans relatively inexpensively.
Shop '80s jeans, pants and leggings here.
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White wash jeans worn with denim jacket by L.A. Gear
There were lots of brands and styles of jeans to choose from, but the overarching jean style of the decade for women was high-waisted, tight-fitting jeans with a straight or tapered cut. "Pegging" jeans, or folding and rolling them up to fit snugly around the ankle, was a trend with teens and girls.
Another style of jeans/pants was the paper bag style, where the waist of the pants were gathered to look like the crumpled top of a paper bag. These pants have also come back into style and are easy to find.
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Salt-n-Pepa
Jeans in the '80s didn't just come in different washes — they came in different colors and patterns, too. Popular colors included pink, green, and purple. Prints featured stripes, flowers, and paisley. Denim prints were typically small and busy.
Colored Levi's jeans for misses and girls
Of course, denim wasn't just for jeans in the '80s — denim overalls, jackets, and shirts were also fashionable! '80s overalls came in traditional denim, as well as in other colors. They were primarily worn by women and girls, but they were also worn by men, typically as functional workwear. Denim jackets were also in style, and they followed the same trends as denim jeans.
80s floral jeans
Although not made of denim, another pants style that saw its rise in the '80s was parachute pants. Slim-cut and made of nylon "windbreaker" fabric with lots of zippers, these pants were worn primarily by breakdancers before entering mainstream fashion, where they were favored by kids and teens. These pants are sometimes confused with Hammer pants or harem pants, which are very full pants that taper at the ankles, as popularized by MC Hammer. Hammer pants were more of a '90s trend and won't fit well with an '80s outfit.
1986 shiny cotton pants
Two other pants styles worn by women in the '80s were stirrup pants and leggings. Stirrup pants were slim pants with a stirrup, or a band of material that encircled the foot, at the bottom. Even the stirrup style is back in fashion now!
1988 stirrup pants
Naturally, if you weren't wearing stirrup pants, you had to pair your oversized sweatshirt or sweater with a pair of leggings. Luckily, there is such a large selection of legging styles available now so that finding the perfect '80s style is not difficult.
80s Jumpsuits
The jumpsuit, which started gaining fashion momentum with the disco movement of the '70s, hit peak fashionability in the '80s. Women in the '80s could choose from a wide variety of styles, from casual to dressy.
1981 summer jumpsuit with lace
For summer, a young woman might wear a lightweight cotton or chambray jumpsuit. Summer jumpsuits came in pastel blues, yellows, and pinks. Some jumpsuits were printed with floral or stripe patterns, or they had detailing such as crochet or lace appliques, gathers, or pleats. Most jumpsuits had short or elbow-length sleeves, often with a large cuff.
1987 chambray coverall-style jumpsuit with surplice top and floral print
Coverall-style jumpsuits were also popular in the 80s. These jumpsuits had a workwear-inspired look with roomier sleeves and legs. They often incorporated hardware such as zippers, snaps, and buckles, and were made with heavier-weight fabrics — including denim. The bodice of these jumpsuits typically resembled a button-down casual or work shirt, with wide convertible collars, shirt pockets, and a boxy cut.
Tank-style and coverall-style jumpsuits worn with wide belts
'80s jumpsuits tended to be cut very full, with loose bodices and wide legs. They cinched at the waist either by belt, yoke, or tie. This served to emphasize the waist and create an hourglass shape. The bottoms of the jumpsuit followed the pants trends of the '80s and were often pleated at the waist, adding fullness at the hip. The legs tapered to a straight or slim cut at the ankle.
Almost all '80s jumpsuits had either some form of sleeve or a coordinating jacket to wear over them. Starting in the mid-1980s, many jumpsuits began to have large shoulder pads.
1986 dressy floral jumpsuit with shoulder pads
Young women, teens, and tweens liked jumpsuits because they were easy to put on and style.
For evening or going out, a woman had the option of a dressier jumpsuit. Some were made with woven fabrics, while others were made of knits. Styles for teens and young women tended to have bolder cuts such as V-necks or fitted bodices, and featured bright or bold colors and metallic.
1987 women's dressy jumpsuit
For the more mature woman, a solid color jumpsuit with contrasting accents, such as buttons or a belt worn with coordinating accessories, was a nice alternative to a dress for an evening event. Long and drapey or dolman style sleeves were both popular look for the dressy jumpsuit.
Shop 70s-80s jumpsuits.
Powersuits
In the '80s, women were entering the workforce in greater numbers than ever before. Naturally, working women had to look the part, and they did so in menswear-inspired power suits.
1988 power dresses with contrasting belts and trim
'80s blazers are instantly recognizable from their extended shoulders, an effect achieved by the large shoulder pads in the lining of the jackets. Vintage '80s blazers with intact shoulder pads are not difficult to find secondhand today. Shoulder pads are also back in style now, albeit not at the sizes seen in the '80s. A modern blazer with defined shoulders and a boxy cut can work for an '80s-inspired look.
1980 teen girls' workwear/business wear
Along with her blazer, a working woman would typically wear a coordinating pair of slacks or a skirt. Slacks were typically high-waisted with a pleated front and straight-cut legs. Skirts were A-line and fell below the knee.
1987 jacket and skirt set
Power suits were typically paired with crisp blouses, often button-down. Many blouses were reminiscent of the blouses of the 1940s with high necklines, neckline detailing (scarf, tie, bow, etc.), and voluminous sleeves. If a blouse was intended to be worn without a jacket, it would often have full shoulders. Some blouses even had their own shoulder pads, which could give the sharp-shoulder look on their own or enhance the shoulders of a blazer worn on top.
1983 women in workwear
To complete her professional look, a woman would wear a pair of coordinating pumps and, if wearing a skirt, nude pantyhose. A woman would never go to work with bare legs! She would also accessorize with jewelry. Earrings and a matching necklace were a go-to style, or she could wear a scarf or tie in place of a necklace.
Sweaters
Sweaters were an '80s trend everyone could (and did!) participate in.
1987 pastel sweaters
Most sweaters for men and women had knitted patterns made of different-colored yarns. They came in patterns such as geometric shapes, stripes, Icelandic / snowflake patterns, flowers (for women), polka dots, abstract, and classic argyle. Sweater patterns could radiate from the neckline, form rows across the torso or edge of the sweater, or be spread across the whole sweater.
1988 sweaters
Sweaters also came in various knit stitch patterns; cable knit, rib knit, and other decorative stitch patterns added texture and pattern to sweaters in a more subtle way than color.
Novelty sweaters — such as Christmas sweaters and sweaters depicting animals, objects or scenery — were also worn in the '80s. Although knitting as a craft was becoming less widespread, many books and magazines from the '80s can still be found with patterns for these types of sweaters.
1987 glitter sweaters with metallic threads
For women, pastel sweaters in pink, yellow, blue, and coral were popular. Teens and young girls wore these colors in addition to primary and bright colors. Women wore primary colors too, but in deeper or richer tones. For a winter party, a woman could also wear a dark-colored sweater with a design in metallic yarn. This would be paired with coordinating slacks or a skirt.
1987 patterned glitter sweater with matching skirt
Women's sweaters came in pullover and cardigan styles, with pullovers being more prevalent. They could choose from crew neck, turtleneck, and V-neck styles, as well as cowl neck and off-the-shoulder styles. Shop '80s-style sweaters here .
For teens, an oversized sweater was a must-have. These sweaters were long (some reached mid-thigh) with loose, baggy sleeves that were often pushed back. Dropped shoulders and large armholes contributed to the loose and baggy fit. An oversize patterned sweater would be paired with jeans or slim-cut pants in a coordinating color for a casual look. Many women's sweaters were also baggy, but typically not as exaggerated as the sweaters worn by teens.
1987 oversize dolman sleeve polka dot sweater
Esprit and United Colors of Benetton were the "it" brands for juniors' colorful, oversized sweaters in the ' 80s. Esprit was known for its bright colors and wild, abstract patterns, while United Colors of Benetton sweaters typically had repetitive, often intricate, patterns using multiple colors of yarn.
1987 teens' color block sweater
Another '80s sweater style (seen on men and women) was the sweater vest. Most sweater vests were V-neck pullovers, although some buttoned in the front. Like sweaters, sweater vests came in patterns and solids, as well as different textures. A sweater vest over a coordinating button-down shirt was an easy everyday look for women.
Shop sweater vests.
80s Shirts
For women, '40s-style blouses with collars and/or bows or ties at the neck were popular, both for work and everyday wear. The button-down blouse was also a staple for women — these came in different colors, patterns, and sleeve and collar styles. Victorian or peasant style blouses with ruffles, eyelets, and lace were another throwback trend in the '80s.
Casual shirts such as button downs, polos, T-shirts, and other knit tops came in a wide variety of patterns, including stripes of varying widths, tropical or floral prints, pop art/abstract patterns, and more.
1986 oversize shirts with loose belts
The mid-'80s saw the rise of fluorescent or neon colors. Neon pink, green, and yellow appeared on shirts, sweatshirts, and accessories targeted mostly towards children, teens, and athletic clothes for women.
Graphic T-shirts rose to prominence in the '80s as well, sporting all kinds of messages, logos, and images. Logos such as MTV, Esprit, Coca-Cola, political slogans, TV/movie characters (Mickey Mouse, Gremlins), and musicians (Prince, Michael Jackson, Run DMC) were quite popular. For an authentic '80s look, look for a crew neck tee with a boxy cut and an '80s-appropriate graphic.
Shop '80s style shirts and blouses here .
1981 graphic t-shirts
1985 cartoon sweatshirts
Jackets/Outerwear
Women in the '80s had lots of choices for outerwear. For fall and winter, a long coat — often with a belt and wide collar — was the standard option. These coats typically fell below the knee, which meant if the wearer had a dress on, it would be fully covered and protected. Shorter jackets were also available. Many of these were very plain and came in basic colors such as beige, black, or navy.
1981 long coat with collar and belt
For nicer occasions, a woman might also have a fur jacket or a full-length fur coat. This could be made of real or faux fur. The continuation of animal rights activism from the '70s meant there were more and nicer faux fur options than in the past.
1987 faux fur coats
The flip side of the fur coat was the leather jacket. While a fur coat signified sophistication and class, a leather jacket was more rebellious and edgy. Fur was traditional — leather was trendy.
1989 leather blazer
Women could choose from a variety of leather jacket styles, from motorcycle jackets and leather dusters to leather blazers and tailored jackets. These styles were also available in a variety of colors, and many had detailing through hardware (snaps, zippers) and added textures through stitching or embossing.
Denim jackets were another outerwear option for '80s women. Denim jackets followed all of the same trends as denim jeans did, which meant they were available in acid washes, colors and prints, and different fits. They were primarily worn by girls and teens, especially in wild colors and prints.
1987 light wash denim jacket with sweater
1988 acid wash denim jacket
Although the windbreaker as we know it entered fashion in the '70s, the '80s were when windbreakers really began to take off. They were worn by all ages and genders, and were typically made of brightly colored, often color-blocked nylon.
1987 men's and women's windbreakers
Shop ' 80s windbreakers and jackets here .
80s Dresses
1986 40s style shirtwaist dresses
The '80s saw a revival of dress styles from the 1940s and 1950s. Shirtwaist dresses, a dress style that buttoned down the front, were very popular with women. The A-line skirts and cinched waists were comfortable and flattering. These dresses were often collared and could have short or long sleeves. They varied in length from just below the knee to mid-calf (tea length), and came in solids and patterns. Many '80s dresses in this style are still relatively easy to finkd today at secondhand and thrift shops.
More 40s-style shirtwaists from 1986. Note the tie collar and puff sleeves on the white dress.
A woman's shoulders and neckline were the focal point of the '80s, so many dresses had shoulder pads or full, puffed sleeves and neckline detailing such as a bow, decorative collar, or ribbon or fabric tie. The styles were reminiscent of the 1940s' emphasis on sleeves, shoulders, and necklines — except most '80s styles were even bigger and fuller!
1987 pop pattern, colors big shoulder pads
Summertime brought out the classic sundress, which was usually sleeveless or short-sleeved with an A-line skirt. These dresses could have spaghetti or tie straps and were typically made of a lightweight woven polyester or polyester blend. These dresses were typically fitted at the waist with a waistband, belt, or tie. Many dresses had prints such as stripes, flowers, or polka dots.
1981 sundress, wrap dress, peasant dress
In the early '80s, the peasant or boho style dress, a carryover from the '70s, permeated the market. These dresses often had gathered or off-the-shoulder necklines and featured lace, ribbons, ruffles, or tiers in their design. Starting in the mid-'80s, drop-waist sailor-style dresses overtook the peasant dress for summer looks. These dresses often had a sailor collar with large bows and came in red, navy, or white with contrasting details.
1984 nautical style dresses with bows, puffed sleeves
Formal or party dresses for adult women followed '80s trends more closely than casual dresses. Lace, velvet, bows, puffy sleeves, and big shoulders were all seen on '80s formal dresses. These dresses were typically made of velvet, acetate, and taffeta, as well as polyester knits and wovens, in colors such as black, red, blue, and green.
For a daytime summer event, light and airy dresses in white or pastel colors made of chiffon and/or lace were often worn. These dresses fell below the knee and, starting in the mid-'80s, came in drop-waist styles reminiscent of the '20s. They usually had details such as a tie belt, buttons, or collars. Shop vintage and '80s style dresses here .
1987 formal dresses
Starting in the mid-'80s, dropped waists and flowing unfitted styles became popular. Skirt lengths in formal dresses varied from knee-length to mid-calf. Only for a very formal occasion would a woman wear a floor-length dress.
1989 dresses with drop waist, peplum
A woman would pair her dress with either nude or black pantyhose, depending on the color and style of her dress. Coordinating heels, jewelry, and a small evening bag completed her look.
1988 party dresses
80s Prom Dresses
For a girl in the '80s, prom was the pinnacle of the high school experience. Prom night was the night every girl could be a princess, and '80s prom dresses reflected this! Shop '80s style prom dresses here .
Prom dresses varied in length from mini (above the knee) to floor-length, and everything in between. They came in all colors, from pretty pastels to popping neons to rich jewel tones. Metallic and sequined prom dresses were also trendy.
1989 colorful prom dresses
Prom dresses followed the main trends of the '80s, emphasizing the shoulders and neckline and incorporating style details like big bows, ruffles, and ruching. Fabrics used included lace, velvet, satin, tulle, taffeta, lamรฉ, and acetate.
Metallic prom dresses
Victorian or princess-style ballgowns were very popular. These had long, full skirts and fitted bodices and were trimmed with bows, ruffles, lace, ribbons, and flowers. They might have had layered or tiered skirts and puffy, voluminous sleeves.
1986 lace prom dresses
Many prom dresses were strapless, off-the-shoulder, or one-shoulder styles. Thin spaghetti straps were another alternative to traditional sleeves. Necklines were typically in a sweetheart or straight style.
Besides the voluminous ball gown-style skirt, girls could choose from sheath, high-low or flared skirts, and (in the mid- to late-'80s) drop-waist styles. Another alternative was the "pouf" or bubble dress, a throwback to the 1950s with a short, voluminous skirt that "bubbled" out.
Short prom dresses with sequins. Left dress has bubble skirt.
For a less dramatic or "out there" look, a girl could choose a more bohemian-style prom dress. These dresses typically came in white, off-white, or varying shades of pastels, and often had long slim A-line skirts with ruffled hems — similar to the Victorian-style prom dresses, but with less volume. They were often made of lighter fabrics such as lace, eyelet, cotton, polyester, voile, or dotted Swiss. Trims included satin, lace, ribbon, and ruffles.
1980 boho prom dresses
Just because she had a dress didn't mean a girl was ready for prom. Aside from makeup and hair, she needed a pair of matching heels and pantyhose, either in nude or a color to match her dress. A girl might also wear a matching hairpiece and/or matching gloves.
Sequin prom or party dresses
She would also wear coordinating jewelry, particularly earrings and necklaces or bracelets to match. Drop or dangle earrings worked well with the feminine look of princess or Victorian-style dresses, while hoops or large studs complemented flashier styles.
Short or choker-style pearl necklaces were a natural fit for Victorian-style gowns, and pendant or chunky metal necklaces were worn with other styles. Naturally, a girl would have to leave a wrist free for her corsage, but on her other wrist, she could wear a beaded, metal, or bangle bracelet.
1981 prom wear. Victorian-style dress with lace on the right, boho-style dress with floral print and crocheted shawl on left.
80s Workout Clothes
The '80s saw an increase in health consciousness, with many people engaging in various physical activities. All of this exercise meant people needed separate outfits for working out. Enter '80s workout clothes!
1982 girls' athletic wear, tracksuit on right
The quintessential '80s workout outfit is the tracksuit. A tracksuit consisted of a jacket, usually full zip, with matching pants made of nylon, velour, fleece, or polyester. They typically came in solid colors or, in the case of nylon tracksuits, color blocking. Bright or neon colors were popular, particularly for younger people.
Another popular clothing item was the leotard, worn for dance, aerobics, or the latest exercise craze, Jazzercise! Leotards for adult women were typically in solid bright colors or thin stripes, but girls and teens could choose from leotards with patterns or designs.
Naturally, no '80s leotard would be complete without colored tights or leggings worn underneath. The outfit would be topped off with leg warmers, soft-soled exercise or ballet slippers, and a headband/sweatband. Shop '80s style workout clothes here .
The 80s also saw the carry over of dolphin shorts from the '70s — very short nylon shorts with an elastic waistband, contrasting trim, and rounded edges. They were worn by men, women, and teens, often with a T-shirt or knit top. Women and girls paired them with crop tops in the summer, and also wore them over bikinis or with bikini tops.
Puma athletic wear with dolphin shorts
With the craze for athletic wear in full gear during the '80s, athletic shoes were a prominent feature of the footwear market. Brands such as Nike, Adidas, Reebok, Converse, Puma, and Pony partnered with important figures in the sports world to promote their shoes. With an explosion of new options in various colors, brands, and styles, it's fitting that the '80s was the birthplace of the sneakerhead movement. Shop retro sneakers.
1981 athletic sneakers
80s Shoes
For as bold and out-of-this world '80s fashions were, the shoes were basic. Classic pumps, canvas sneakers, moccasins, wedges, penny loafers, boots, and sandals were not new inventions. These classics paired well with the latest trends while remaining neutral to the overall outfit.
Pumps
1987 women's pumps, varying heights and styles
Pumps were worn by the working woman to the office, so many came in basic colors (black, red, navy, white) with minimal decoration. Visual interest was typically added through texture (woven, snakeskin/crocodile texture, perforations) or details such as a small bow or contrasting toe cap. A basic pump for workwear would typically have a heel height between 1-½" and 2-¼".
1987 pumps for evenings
Formal shoes typically had higher heels, up to 3-½ inches. If a woman couldn't find shoes in a color to match her formal dress, she could get dyeable shoes, which were typically made with white satin that could be dyed with fabric dye.
Sandals
1981 heeled sandals
Women's sandals were all about straps! Strappy heeled sandals were popular, with straps at the ankle and straps that criss-crossed over the vamp of the shoe. Huaraches, or shoes with a woven leather upper, were another style popular in the '80s. These shoes were flexible and breathable, which made them perfect for casual summer wear.
1987 huarache sandals
For a lighter, more playful look, jelly sandals were a new option in the '80s. Jelly sandals were made of PVC plastic, and typically came in transparent colors or with glitter! They were cheap, comfortable, and could get wet, which made them very popular with women and girls. The only downside was the plastic was not breathable, which meant they made your feet hot and sweaty. Gross! Most of the time, colorful socks were worn with jelly shoes.
Pink jelly wedge shoes
For an occasion where you only have to wear them for a short while, though, jelly shoes will definitely add an authentic touch to your '80s outfit. Shop 80s-style shoes.
Flats
For casual wear, women had lots of different flat styles to choose from. Skimmers, or what we now call ballet flats, were worn everywhere by women and girls in the '80s due to the athletic wear craze. Other dance style shoes were popular as well, especially Capezio brand shoes.
1987 metallic ballet flats
Loafers, moccasins, and boat shoes were worn by both men and women, giving a preppier look to casual outfits. Saddle shoes also came back into style, but were primarily worn by women and girls and basically disappeared from fashion by the end of the decade. I adored my Minnetonka moccasins.
1987 women's slip-on moccasin in primary and pastel colors
Canvas shoes
1987 canvas shoes
On the more casual side of athletic shoes were canvas shoes. Keds and Converse were two of the most popular brands — Keds for women and girls and Converse for all ages and genders.
Kids' Converse shoes with fold-down high tops
The popularity of Keds was spurred on by the brand's appearance in hit movies and TV shows of the era, including Full House and Flashdance. Another shoe heavily featured in pop culture, Converse's Chuck Taylor All Stars had a cool but classic feel that made them irreplaceable to kids and teens.
Converse shoe ad
Shop 80s style shoes and see more pictures of 1980s shoes
Boots
Boots in the '80s varied in style from booties to Western to Victorian. Booties were short boots, like ankle boots, that typically had flat soles. Western boots in leather and suede were available for men and women in different heights, colors, and embroidery styles. Victorian-style boots laced up and had a short heel. Also known as granny boots, these were primarily worn by young women and teens. Most boots were made of leather, suede, or urethane and could be flat or have heels. Shop boots.
Socks
An essential part of the '80s wardrobe, socks could not be overlooked when choosing footwear. Slouch or scrunch socks, loose socks that bunched around the ankles, were a huge trend in the '80s, particularly with teens and girls, although they were also worn by women with aerobic or workout outfits. If you were super trendy in the '80s, you wore your slouch socks layered in different colors.
1988 layers of scrunch socks
Another sock trend brought on by the athletics craze was tube socks. Knee-high and usually striped, these socks were typically worn pulled all the way up. They were typically worn as a fashion item by men, but were worn as athletic wear by both women and men.
Shop vintage style socks.
1985 gym socks
Accessories
Jewelry in the '80s was big, bold, and flashy. "Less is more" was not in style. '80s jewelry was all about stacking, mixing, and matching all types of jewelry. Shop 80s accessories here.
Madonna wearing beaded necklaces and gold dangle earrings
Large earrings were one of the most memorable trends of the '80s. Big hoops, studs, and long dangling earrings were popular, and these were usually paired with matching bracelets and necklaces.
Long pearl necklaces were worn for a dressy look, while beaded necklaces, pendants, and chunky metal necklaces with or without stones were worn for casual or dressy occasions. Bangles, cuffs, and charm bracelets were worn in the '80s, and both necklaces and bracelets were stacked to give an individual look. Cocktail rings — decorative rings typically made with large, colorful stones — were worn by mature women.
For teens and pre-teens, jelly bracelets, Swatch watches, and friendship bracelets were popular jewelry trends. With jelly bracelets, the more you could wear, the better! Jelly bracelets were inexpensive and came in all colors. Swatch watches were colorful plastic watches that came in a wide variety of colors and designs. The more Swatch watches you wore, the cooler you were!
1980s swatch watches
Belts were a big trend for women in the '80s. They were the easiest way a woman could get the cinched waist look to counteract the wide shoulders and flared skirts that were trendy at the time. Belts in the '80s could be thin or wide and have big or decorative buckles. They were often worn over long shirts or sweaters, as well as dresses.
Wearing hats had been losing popularity since the '50s, but the '80s saw a resurgence in hats as fashion.
Many styles were brought back from previous eras, including fedoras, newsboy caps, berets, and even the bowler. These styles topped the heads of some of the most famous heads of the era, including Michael Jackson, Boy George, and Princess Diana. Another hat made popular by celebrities was the bucket hat. Kangol was the must-have brand and was worn by a lot of '80s rappers. Kangol hats have seen a recent resurgence and are still available for sale today.
Debbie Gibson wearing a bowler hat
Baseball caps were ubiquitous in the '80s because of the variety of styles and designs available. Visors — basically baseball caps minus the crown — were another trendy style in the '80s, especially with the health and fitness craze. Shop '80s-style hats here .
An '80s summer look wouldn't be complete without '80s sunglasses — and luckily, there are lots of styles to choose from! One of the most popular styles in the '80s (and still available today) was the Ray-Ban Wayfarer, as featured in the movie Risky Business. These sunglasses spawned tons of knockoff styles, including styles with contrasting earpieces.
1987 Wayfarer-style sunglasses
Most women's sunglasses in the '80s were large, often with colorful frames. They came in round or geometric shapes.
1987 FM radio sunglasses
1980s Hairstyles
'80s hair is most known for its volume. Big, fluffy, curly looks, often with bangs, were replicated by women all over. Women achieved volume with their hair by crimping, curling, or getting a perm, and these methods worked on both long and short hair. Naturally, all of these styles were held in place using lots of hairspray!
Women's teased hairstyles, 1980s
An alternative to the big hairstyles of the era was short and straight hair with bangs, or a feathered look รก la Farrah Fawcett. Another alternative was a short, almost masculine cut worn by many mature women.
Hair accessories such as hair bows, clips, headbands, barrettes, and scrunchies were also popular. Headbands were typically worn straight across the forehead like sweatbands, and one trend was to wear a bandana wrapped around the head like a headband. Scrunchies were popular for teens and girls, particularly when worn in a side ponytail. Women also wore them with workout outfits. Shop '80s-style hair accessories here .
1983 girls' hairstyles. Note the side ponytail and hair accessories.
Makeup
Like the other aspects of '80s fashion, '80s makeup was all about more! Lots of thick black eyeliner, red or pink blush, and bright lips characterized the '80s makeup look. A woman would start with a thick layer of foundation, then use bronzing powder. Self-tanning was also popular in the '80s, and lots of products were available to help women achieve that glowing tanned look.
1982 day makeup
Eye makeup in the '80s was all about color. Eyeshadows in all shades were popular, and eyeliner and mascara were also available in new shades such as green, blue, and purple. Mascara and eye liner was applied in multiple layers for maximum thickness. Eye liner was applied to both top and bottom and in the waterline.
Thick black eyeliner and a colorful smokey eye were the standard makeup look for the '80s. Colors could be electric blue, shimmering gold, frosty purple, grass green, sky blue, deep purple, or bright orange. Applying more than one shadow was common. Blue or pink shadow over the entire eyelid then a pale orange, pink, or white shadow is blended into the arch of the brow. Eyebrows were typically left natural or darkened slightly. The shape was even and somewhat thick.
'80s blush was usually thick and red or a vibrant pink. Blush was applied under the cheekbones and drawn toward the temple. The '80s were not a time for subtle makeup looks!
Blush extends up the cheekbone
Beauty marks also came back into style, a trend that's typically attributed to the singer Madonna. Use brown eyeliner to dot one on.
Lips were typically lined first in a slightly darker color, then coated in brick red, bright pink, scarlet, fuchsia, chocolate, mauve, or orange lipstick. A woman could also wear a more neutral shade of lipstick or lipgloss to emphasize her eyes. For teens, the go-to shade was bright pink, worn with thick eyeliner and a smokey eye.
1986 soft makeup- neutral lipsticks, grey shadow
And that wraps up the fabulous, funky '80s. This article only begins to scratch the surface of '80s fashion, because there were unique trends for each year, every age group, special occasions, and a plethora of sub genres. If the look you want is not covered here, just ask me for help.
Shop 80s Style Clothing
- 80s Jeans, Pants, Leggings
- 80s Dresses – Casual to party dresses, real vintage 80s dresses
- 80s Style Prom Dresses, formal dresses, cocktail dresses
- 70-80s Workout Clothes- Retro gym cloths, roller skating outfits
- 80s Costumes- women and men 80s party and Halloween costumes
- 80s Tops and T-shirts for women. new and vintage shirts
- 80s Sweatshirts and sweaters for women
- 80s Shoes – Women's shoes, sandals, feels, flats, jellies, and boots. More retro sneakers here
- 80s Hats – Women and men's hats, caps and visors
- 80s Jackets – Women and men. Windbreakers, leather, denim, track jackets
- 80s Accessories – Hair scrunchies, clips, gloves, socks, belts and more
- 80s Costumes – Girls and Guys
- 90s Clothing- Move on into the 1990s
Most Popular 80s clothes
Source: https://vintagedancer.com/1980s/80s-fashion-what-women-wore-in-the-1980s/
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