By Samantha Read
The 80s produced some interesting things. Fashion wasn't its strongest point. As trends are recycled and decades revisited we can only hope that the 80s stays in the 80s, and spare ourselves from the embarrassment of oversized clothing and blinding colors. Here are just a few of our favorite fashion memories (and disasters) from the decade that was the 80s.
10. Shoulder pads
For reasons we'll never understand, the linebacker look was popular back in the day. We know we like our torsos to look rectangular; don't you?
9. Neon
Our eyes are still recovering from this one. Neon was everywhere. The return of tie-dye (that wasn't gone long) added to the nausea by encouraging people to mix their neons…fingers crossed that this fashion crime never happens again. For the sake of vision everywhere.
8. Shirts with t-shirt clips on the side
Oversized t-shirts were big. Clipping them up on one side with a chunky plastic clip (make it neon, even better) was even bigger. Once again, we have no idea. Maybe it was to keep your giant t-shirt from overshadowing your awesome three-quarter length leggings?
7. Tight acid or stonewash jeans
Tight, and we mean tight jeans were all the rage, for both men and women. Bleach was splashed onto the denim to give it a patchy mixture of dark and light colour. Then they were ripped and safety pins added to give the desirable punk/rebel look ŕ la Billy Idol. Throw a mullet on with those pants and you were hot stuff.
6. Teased hair
Perm it, fluff it, hairspray it and then adorn it with chunky clips. For inspiration see the first incarnation of Madonna. You'll remember why you're so thankful that you have short hair now.
5. Exercise gear & leg warmers
We can thank caffeine-injected Aussie Olivia Newton-John for this one. "Let's Get Physical" tore up the charts, and people everywhere tore off the layers in favour of spandex and sweatbands and got down with their bad selves.
4. Jellies sandals
They were plastic. They were noisy. They were hot. Your parents thought they looked adorable with little summer dresses. You tossed them aside and settled for jelly accessories instead.
3. Slap bracelets
Here's a good idea. Take a chunk of elastic material, cover it in gaudy colours (neon!) and inspire legions of fans to slap themselves on the wrist and wear it as a bracelet. We still have our neon-green New Kids on the Block one. And we're not giving it up.
2. Don't Worry Be Happy
The hit song by Bobby McFerrin spawned a huge craze for that saying on all sorts of clothing, so we felt it deserved a mention. Plus, it's one of the few trends from the 80s that wasn't too bad.
1. Off-the-shoulder
Flashdance inspired the sleeves-off-the-shoulder look, as well as opening the doors for women who secretly aspired to be welders. Okay, maybe not so much for the second one, but honestly, who didn't sport the look? It was so popular it's even making a comeback. We wouldn't recommend it for welding, though. The baggy sleeves might get in the way.
Kourtnee Says:
Fri Jun 20, 2008 6:15 am
My mom definitely lived in the 80s wow. you should have seen her hair ! insaneeeee. but she was more of a darker clothing kind of girl. she had a lot of black t shirts and leggings. not so much neon.
rarw im a chick Says:
Sun Jun 22, 2008 8:58 pm
dude. i love the 80's. its the best time and also i like the fashion :D
Says:
Fri Jul 18, 2008 1:49 am
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Miss French Says:
Wed Jul 16, 2008 4:57 am
The eighties is the most inspiring decade to work with new trends, it shows there is no boundaries when dressing for a taste anything will work if there is less of the judgemntall ohases you see in the mag ( best
lydia 9years Says:
Wed Aug 20, 2008 7:24 am
80's clothes are ugly!
jen Says:
Thu Aug 21, 2008 8:37 am
your ugly lydia don't be such a rude little whore
Brooke Says:
Tue Sep 16, 2008 4:30 pm
so the 80s is attempting to come back. well for osme of us. not many people are big into wearing neon anymore unless you're part of the "scene." i love the 80s everything about it is amazing. the way they stated their own fashion. its crazy. im big into the 80s and i just recently bought Reebok Hi Freestyle. They're great. :D out homecoming is coming up and we got to chose the year and everyone chose the 80s. im pretty stoked about it
Frightening Dreams Says:
Tue Sep 16, 2008 9:06 pm
why are the 80s so bad? I love neon and leggings. tomorrow theres an 80s day at our school and i cant wait. this is so going to be my friends and my element =). Now I got to go paint my nails neon green and dig for a neon shirt lol.
Annie Says:
Thu Sep 18, 2008 2:11 am
These are kind of cute.
Eileen Monaghan Says:
Thu Sep 18, 2008 5:17 pm
I was a new romantic at 17 and even got to see Duran Duran at the Rum Runner in Broad St, Birmingham before they were famous and my favourite Spandau Ballet . The music and fashion can't be beaten it was an iconic decade and can't be forgotten. I loved the hair the ruffles and the lace the good ole days......the kids of today have no idea sorry kids......
rockandroller Says:
Tue Sep 23, 2008 4:07 pm
I love the 80's! Neon is wicked and leggings!
krisitn Says:
Wed Sep 24, 2008 2:59 am
HELP!!! homecoming week is next week at school and we have to do our favorite decade and I wanna do the 80's but I don't know what to wear I need some advice !!!
Zen Kahn Says:
Wed Sep 24, 2008 7:23 am
I think the 80s actually brought some color into the fashion world and into the lives of many people world over. And if we take a closer look at the clothes most kids wear today, we can see the 80s coming back in style. Tight jeans are back, off-shoulder sleeves are visible in most teen fashions, mixed up colors are back, dark color big bangles are back as well, don't forget the flat pumpies that young girls wear today,all from the 80s. Come on you guys, stop being in denial.
maddy Says:
Fri Sep 26, 2008 12:35 am
It's my sisters hens night in a few weeks and the theme is the 80's, i have had heaps of ideas but not sure if any will work, can anyone help me???
ashlee Says:
Sun Sep 28, 2008 12:52 am
these are cute
Courtney Says:
Tue Sep 30, 2008 4:31 pm
Im going to an 80's dance friday and idk what to wear. help? please????
bri Says:
Tue Sep 30, 2008 7:18 pm
project due tomorrow and i have to dress up how do u cut a sweatshirt like they had with a regular one???
jakosdqijsdf Says:
Tue Sep 30, 2008 9:00 pm
i
Says:
Fri Oct 03, 2008 1:10 pm
wowww
Says:
Fri Oct 03, 2008 1:11 pm
the 80s were coool haha
Says:
Wed Oct 08, 2008 5:14 pm
I think that the 80s seemed like a fun decade.
olivia outten Says:
Wed Oct 08, 2008 9:23 pm
u are a perver
Georgia Amy Wrangell Says:
Thu Oct 09, 2008 9:56 pm
i think you should have more stuff on this web site
Jacquelyn Says:
Tue Oct 14, 2008 3:52 pm
I love the 80's fashion.. I think it would be great for it all to come back into style!
Chino F Says:
Mon Oct 20, 2008 3:31 pm
The 80s was the time in which every idea was tried, no matter how bad or ridiculous. Everyone was trying to have fun. All kinds of music, from synthpop to country to goth to metal came out here. The fashion would follow suit. The squared shoulders were a way of saying, "I can duke it out with the men!" Remember power dressing suits (not the Captain Power type)? The 90s pared down tastes to a few, streamlined the interests just for what the mainstream wanted. It got too expensive to try everything. But it was fun.
Payton Says:
Sat Oct 25, 2008 5:40 pm
I hope you know i'm 10 i am a huge fan today i dressed up as you and i look asmsome my mom went to 45 of your connest that is how much you mean to us??????
Meagan Says:
Sat Oct 25, 2008 9:25 pm
aat my school we have our favorite decade day and of course i pick 80's!!!!! i love the 80's!!!! the fashion was just over the top!!! and by the way i am 15 and i love the 80's so much!!!! so PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE GIVE SOME ADVICE!!!!!!!!!!!
Tu Madre Says:
Mon Oct 27, 2008 8:22 pm
Im gonna be an 80's girlo 4 Halloween!! Yup my moms gonna help me since dat wuz her time. I love the 80's fashion its so much fun.!!
jackie Says:
Wed Oct 29, 2008 5:52 pm
wow thats wow scary
destiny Says:
Mon Nov 03, 2008 3:37 pm
hey that style is fad ooooooooooooo!!!
sdfh Says:
Tue Nov 04, 2008 12:15 am
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Yikes Says:
Sat Nov 22, 2008 12:48 am
The article is very well written and you have certainly found the key elements of the fashion. Personally I find the music and fashion of the 80's horrific and I'm glad it's gone. I grew up in the 80's...it was awful.
THE TOTALY MOST AWSOME COOLEST PRETTYIEST GORGIOUS FAMOUS PERSON GIRL WOMAN YOU WILL EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER HEAR SEE OR SMELL ABOUT Says:
Mon Nov 24, 2008 10:19 pm
THANX THIS WILL HELP A LOT 4 OUR MIDDLES SCHOOL DANCE. IT IS 80S THEAMED :) HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA ITZ GOING TO B FUN
tasha Says:
Mon Dec 01, 2008 6:13 pm
my mom was hot in the 80s it made me look bad and i am hot!!!!! FIRE STHHHHHHHHH LOL!!!JKJKJKJKJKJKJKJKLJKJKJKJKJK NOT!
bethany Says:
Wed Dec 03, 2008 6:45 pm
i am doing a topic of my choice for my sats
luluy if u guys dont like mt name then ure messed up Says:
totally cuter hotter and more popular than anyone on earth and everyone knows it?? Says:
Wed Jan 07, 2009 3:22 pm
Wow you guys are weird neon? Talk about barftastic!!!
j dub Says:
Fri Jan 09, 2009 5:55 pm
ur all fags
gracey98* Says:
Wed Jan 14, 2009 5:12 pm
i think the 80s really did bring fashion into the world. of course, i was born in the 90s, but my momma said dhe loved the 80s! :)
Shaionda12 Says:
Sat Jan 17, 2009 2:24 am
I LOVE NEON!
rebekah10 Says:
Wed Feb 04, 2009 2:00 pm
hey the 80's clothes are hard to say their pretty caause their not lol
Becky Says:
Sun Feb 08, 2009 2:09 am
wow. i've just re-kindled my love for 80's pop music tonight!
Says:
Wed Feb 11, 2009 4:34 pm
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PINK PANTHER Says:
Fri Feb 13, 2009 7:03 pm
THANX FOR THE INFO I HAVE TO WRITE A PAPER ON THE 80s!
Jimmy Says:
Tue Feb 24, 2009 6:43 pm
We think you are all douches! Get a life,
yo Says:
Sat Mar 07, 2009 2:22 am
Your comment will need to be approved by our editors.
Amour Says:
Thu Mar 12, 2009 8:41 pm
The 80's rock. I love all the wild fashions. Tomorrow is 80's day at my school and I cannot wait. I' wearing a headband with a big bow, jelly bracelets, neon nail polish, neon purple tights, a jean mini skirt and curly hair.
Laney:) Says:
Fri Apr 10, 2009 7:04 pm
This is so great:) we have an 80's themed dance next month and Im so excited!!! :)
:) Says:
Sun Apr 12, 2009 10:41 pm
the 80's is so colorful! :D
yay Says:
Tue May 19, 2009 9:12 am
i have a party to go to and the theme is 60's 70's and 80's im so pumped now lol
brianna ray Says:
Wed May 20, 2009 1:58 pm
i love fashion just as much as anyone else would...
yeee Says:
Sun Jun 14, 2009 9:48 pm
i love 80's fashion. its so colorful. this needs to come back. :P
martine Says:
Sun Jul 12, 2009 6:46 am
I think everything you mentioned is very inventive and very attractive, the 80's seem like a very inspiring decade for fashion and music. Very sexy. But then everyone (except the author of the article) seems to agree.
BAMN Says:
Thu Aug 06, 2009 9:01 am
What! No mention of the pin-striped baggy jeans?
paigeyy Says:
Sun Aug 23, 2009 5:00 am
80s will come back
Says:
Tue Sep 01, 2009 4:03 am
crap
javo Says:
Wed Sep 02, 2009 8:38 pm
Sorry it's already been and gone twice.
Says:
Mon Sep 14, 2009 7:21 am
Your comment will need to be approved by our editors.
I GREW UP IN THE 80'S AND I WORE ALOT OF THE CLOTHS. BACK THEN WE WERE COOL... BIG HAIR WAS THE WAY TO GO. NOW SOME OF THE CLOTHING IS COMING BACK INTO STYLE.. WOW!!!!
TAya Says:
Tue Oct 20, 2009 9:33 am
80's day at school tommorrow what do i wear help!!!!!!
iloveparisjackson Says:
Wed Oct 28, 2009 7:13 am
i just love duh 80's MJ, pop, Madonna. it had to have been so kewl!!!
*99--89-***--756926 Says:
Mon Nov 09, 2009 11:12 pm
yuiiggggfjtrhtytvb.,.vnbmnbvmnbm,.nnb.nmnb.. v
Tayla D Says:
Thu Nov 12, 2009 11:27 pm
wow the 80s was hot. i can't wait to have my 80s party.
The 80s produced some interesting things. Fashion wasn't its strongest point. As trends are recycled and decades revisited we can only hope that the 80s stays in the 80s, and spare ourselves from the embarrassment of oversized clothing and blinding colors. Here are just a few of our favorite fashion memories (and disasters) from the decade that was the 80s.
8. Shirts with t-shirt clips on the side
3. Slap bracelets
Shan Swimwear
