80s Fashion – What Women Wore in the 1980s

The 80s are back, both in pop culture and in women’s 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:

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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 1980s 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

What kind of jeans were popular in the 80s?

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, teenagers, 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 in the early 80s and a pleated waist and fuller hip in the mid to late 80s.

Many 80s fashion jeans were flat-front, although pleated front jeans were more trendy. These, along with yoke panel jeans and gathered “paperbag waist” jeans were typically worn by teens and mature women.

Acid wash or stonewash jeans, previously only worn by subcultures like punks, entered mainstream 1980s fashion in the middle years. The marbled effect could be found on light, dark and black washed denim jeans. 

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. 

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 teenagers 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.

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 faded and busy all over patterns. 

Besides jeans, cotton pants were made in the same cuts, colors and patterns as denim.  Sky blue, pale pink, magenta pink, bright yellow, emerald green, teal blue, purple, white and black were all iconic colors. The one popular pattern in the fall was big plaid prints.

Add to these experiments with faux leather pants, rayon slacks, corduroy, and shiny satin the 1980s offered a lot of choices.

80s Overalls

Of course, denim wasn’t just for jeans in the ’80s — denim overalls, jackets, and shirts were also fashionable and fun! ’80s overalls came in traditional blue denim, as well as in other primary or pastel colors.

Overalls were most often worn by teenagers and  young 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.

 

Parachute Pants ?

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.

Parachute pants are sometimes confused with Hammer pants or harem pants, which are very full pants made of windbreaker nylon in crazy prints or metallic fabric 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. Read about 90s fashion trends here. 

80s Leggings

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!

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 & Overalls

The jumpsuit, which started gaining fashion momentum with the disco movement of the ’70s, hit peak fashionability in the 1980s. Women in the ’80s could choose from a wide variety of styles, from casual to dressy. 

Young women, teenagers, and tweens liked jumpsuits because they were easy to put on and style. 

For summer, a young woman might wear a lightweight cotton or chambray jumpsuit. 80s 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.

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. 

’80s jumpsuits tended to be cut very full, with loose bodices and tapered legs. They cinched at the waist either by wide belt, yoke, or narrow 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.  Starting in the mid-1980s, many jumpsuits began to have large shoulder pads. 

For evening or going out, a woman had the option of a dressier jumpsuit. Some were made with draping knit fabrics, while others were made of shiny woven materials. Styles for 80s teenagers and young women tended to have bolder cuts such as V-necks or fitted bodices, and featured bright or bold colors and metallic threads.

The 80s jumpsuit fit was loose with many pleats, ruching or gathers around the padded shoulders and waist. Unlike the 70s bell bottom jumpsuit, the leg narrowed in at the ankle in the 80s. 

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 draped or dolman style sleeves were both popular look for the dressy jumpsuit.

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. 

’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. 

Along with her blazer, a working woman would typically wear a coordinating pair of slacks or an A-line midi skirt. Slacks were typically high-waisted with a pleated front and straight-cut legs. 

Shops 80s blazers and suits. 

Power suits were typically paired with crisp cotton shirts or shiny satin blouses, often button-down. Many blouses were reminiscent of the blouses of the Victorian era and again in 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, high neck and cap or dolman sleeves. 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.

While most women’s blouses were solid colors, some went WILD. Animal prints, abstract art, geometrics, colorblocks, vertical styles and of course, polka dots- all bold and powerful prints for a confident professional woman.

To complete her professional look, a woman would wear a pair of coordinating pumps and, if wearing a skirt, nude pantyhose (black nylons were also worn under dress slacks). 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. 

80s Sweaters

Sweaters were an ’80s trend everyone could (and did!) participate in. 

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. 

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.

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.

Did they wear cardigans in the 80s?

Women’s sweaters came in oversized 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 1980s teenager fashion, 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.

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. 

Another ’80s sweater style (seen on men and women) was the sweater vest. Most sweater vests were V-neck pullovers, although some cardigans styles buttoned low in the front. Like sweaters, sweater vests came in patterns and solids, as well as different textures. Argyle was a classic pattern as well as snowflakes and other wintery looks. A sweater vest over a coordinating button-down shirt was an easy everyday look for teens and women.

Shop sweater vests.

80s Shirts & Sweatshirts

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.

The mid 80s say the oversize buttoned own shirt trend happen. Long shirts were pulled in by a belt loosely around the hips. They paired well with pants or leggings. To be really trendy teens flipped up the collar.

 

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.

80s Sweatshirts

The mid-’80s saw the rise of fluorescent or neon colors in knit tops and sweatshirts. Neon pink, green, and yellow appeared on clothing and accessories targeted mostly towards children, teens, and athletic clothes for women.   Colorblock pastel or primary colors were also very trendy amoung teens and girls. 

Novelty sweatshirts in big oversize fit or cropped to the waistline featured cartoons, TV shows, vacation destinations (especially California), food, and popular brands for teens.  Solid color plain pastel crewneck sweatshirts were equally popular and half the cost.

In 1983 the movie Flashdance started the brief trend for the off the shoulder cut-off off sweatshirt. Its was mostly worn to the gym but some teenagers integrated them into everyday style when layered over a colorful tank top and leggings.

80s 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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.  They could be worn with patching track pants or alone as part of a casual outfit. 

Shop ’80s windbreakers and denim jackets here.

80s Dresses

Daytime 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 find today at secondhand and thrift shops.

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!

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.

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. 

80s Party Dresses

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.

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.  

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. 

Learn more about 80s dress styles from casual to formal. 

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. 

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, lamé, and acetate.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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. 

 

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! 

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 teenagers, 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. 

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.

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

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”. 

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

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 fashion wear. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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. 

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 teenagers. Most boots were made of leather, suede, or urethane and could be flat or have heels.

Shop 80s boots and all retro style 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.

Another trend in girls and 80s teenage fashion were socks that are back today – lace edge socks.  White lace on colored socks or colored lace on white socks was a pretty way to bring a bit of little girl nostalgic to an outfit. They were worn with flat shoes and sandals to best show off the lace cuff.

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. Learn more about vintage socks history. 

Shop vintage style 80s socks. 

80s Fashion 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. 

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!

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. 

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 fashion 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.  

Most women’s sunglasses in the ’80s were large, often with colorful frames. They came in round or geometric shapes.

Shop Retro 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!

An alternative to the big hairstyles of the era was short and straight hair with bangs, or a feathered look á 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.

1980s 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. 

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!

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.

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 Jumpsuits and Overalls
• 80s Vintage 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

1980s Outfit Ideas

What do you wear to a 1980s party? Most girls will wear a layered mix of brightly colored clothes with over the top accessories and crazy 80s hair to make an 80s party outfit. The 80s rocker look is also trendy with tutus, lace leggings, strands of bead necklaces and fingerless gloves. The ugly 80s prom dress is another classic look- bring on the pink!

See these any many more 80s outfit ideas in these articles:

80s Outfits Ideas

80s Party Outfits