The Top 80's Fashion Trends and Why They're Making a Comeback (2024)

FAQs

What 80s fashion trends are coming back? ›

80s fashion included high-waisted trousers, printed blouses, bright head and wrist sweatbands, ankle boots, Members Only jackets, and polka dotted dresses. Women then preferred bold oversized clothing and paired outfits with big hoops, fanny packs, bandanas, chunky jewelry, and socks.

Fashion trends are cyclical because we are constantly being influenced by the fashions before us, nostalgia for eras past, the economy, social media, and so much more. But ultimately, what you buy for your closet should reflect your style, what you like to wear, and what you feel most beautiful in.

As the 1980s dawned, neo-romanticism blossomed when a new wave altered the hard-edged punk scene. The new wave look was nostalgic, flamboyant and androgynous: both men and women wore frilled shirts, coloured hair, vintage jewellery and futuristic make-up. The punk movement that began in the late 1970s made shock chic.

The 1980s was a period of consumerism, extravagance and lots of shopping. It was a time when young urban men and women were highly invested in fashion trends – there was a spirit of optimism and extravagance that boded well for the fashion industry.

The 1980s was possibly the boldest decade in modern fashion history, a magical era of over-the-top silhouettes, teased perms and saturated colors. They were the years of puffed shoulders and power suits, flashy skirts and spandex leggings, velour, leg warmers and voluminous parachute pants.

Dyed, denim, ripped jeans are fashion staples from the 80s. A classic 80s look is acid-washed jeans paired with effortless grunge or punk tops, such as tie-dye tees, graphic t-shirts, or baggy sweaters.

Hollywood used bright colors to convey youth, innocence and optimism in the cult movies of the 80s, such as in “Back to the Future” with brightly colored puffer vests, “The Breakfast Club” with plaid and neon in clashing combinations, “Flashdance” with its lycra and neon dancewear and “E.T.” with its 80s fashion trends ...

Drop-Waist Dresses and Skirts

Heads up: The '80s are coming back and in a major way. You may think of drop-waist skirts as a thing of the past, but they're about to make a return in 2023—as proven by Carolina Herrera and Sandy Liang (and they're looking good). Honestly, we can't say we aren't excited about this one.

In 2022, we saw more celebrities incorporating vintage into their day-to-day wardrobe. And it's a trend that's set to continue in 2023, as buying second-hand becomes second nature to more and more people.

Which trends are currently popular? ›

Like they say, everything that's old becomes new once again, and '70s style is here to stay—at least for a little while longer. While some might've been happy to see the back of flared trousers and platform boots, the groovy styles of a decade that finished over five decades ago are now trending again in 2023.

The 90s fashion trend was defined by elements that emboldened the look and gave a carefree outlook to the wearer. Elements like graphic tees, ripped jeans, bike shorts, leather jackets, and slip dresses and materials such as velvet are all set to make a comeback in 2023.

Due to the wide range of styles, timeless appeal and nostalgia factor this era encompassed, certain looks you haven't seen since the millennium have once again become a popular choice among today's trendsetters.

What is Memphis Design? Memphis Design is a 1980s design aesthetic characterized by scattered, brightly colored shapes and lines. It typically combines circles and triangles with black-and-white graphic patterns such as polka dots and squiggly lines.

The essential elements of the '80s look were created by the Memphis design movement, led by Italian architect Ettore Sottsass. The collective included designers and architects from all around the world — Italy, Japan, Britain, Austria, France, Spain, and America.

Fashion in the 1980s was bold and glitzy. Teenagers no longer dictated fashion trends - the baby boom generation was getting older and richer and demanded more glamorous, upmarket fashion. Fashion in the 1980s rejected the non-materialist `hippie' values that had inspired fashion in the 1970s.

The 1980s, often remembered for its materialism and consumerism, also saw the rise of the "yuppie," an explosion of blockbuster movies and the emergence of cable networks like CNN and MTV, which introduced the music video and launched the careers of many iconic artists.

As a result of the proliferation of personal technology like cell phones and personal computers, the 80s were all about technology and cyberspace. During this decade, science fiction was huge in films, books, and even music, influencing design styles.

What were three fads that came out during the 1980s? ›

While Y2K and '90s fashion have been big in recent years, '80s looks are also making a comeback — particularly for 2023. This year already feels bolder than in years past with bright geometric patterns, dance-inspired looks, and more of those oversized blazers (with or without shoulder pads).

Khakis and polo shirts embody the preppy style of the 80s. A khaki skirt for women and khaki pants for men start off this 80s dress idea. Add a brightly-colored polo with the collar up and a sweater tied around the shoulders. Penny loafers are the preferred form of footwear for the preppy style of 80s wear.

Neon. The '80s were well known for colorful clothing, and nothing is more colorful than neon. Back in the day, the most popular hues were similar to highlighters—bright yellow, orange, green, and pink. Stylish people would wear matching track suits or tops and bottoms in coordinating neon colors.

There's no doubt that in addition to mom jeans and exaggerated flares, skirt outfits, printed denim, and black dress pants, '80s fashion is making a comeback. It's only natural that we're in high anticipation as we wait for throwback threads to fully come back.

Beauty consisted around the fitness and nutrition craze in the 80s, encouraging athletically toned bodies, bodysuits, and tracksuit bottoms. Supermodel and bodybuilding became a sensation, along with leg warmers and big hair.

Beginning in the 1980s, a handful of prison wardens painted holding cells in prisons and jails pink. The hope was that the color would have a calming effect on the male prisoners.

They said this year will bring shades of pink and green, metallics, and faux leather. The experts also highlighted ballet flats, blazers, and cargo pockets as up-and-coming trends.

Purple will return as a key colour for 2023, representing wellness and digital escapism. Recuperative rituals will become a top priority for consumers who want to protect and improve their mental health, and Digital Lavender will connect to this focus on wellbeing, offering a sense of stability and balance.

All things acid washed

Acid-washed denim, which was all the rage in the 1980s, is all set to make a comeback in 2023. Designers can use acid-washed denim to create outfits in both bold and subtle styles. They can ise it for jeans, jackets, midi denim skirts, and dresses for their latest collection.

What vintage clothing is most popular? ›

There are three main types of trends: short-, intermediate- and long-term.

The Y2K aesthetic is still going strong in 2023, and its renaissance is all over the denim category, from low-rise jeans and cargo pockets to miniskirt lengths. Modernize these throwback looks with elevated basics and accessories.

For 2023, expect oversized pants and jackets to continue to be the norm and pant suits and blazers to take on bolder prints. For shirts, crop tops and sheer fabrics will continue to offset those bigger wardrobe pieces, creating looks that are both powerful and playful simultaneously.

Leggings Are Officially Runway Approved—5 Trends We're Eyeing for 2023. There was once a time when practically no one I knew left the house without wearing a pair of leggings.

Home design color trends come and go, but black will always stand the test of time, according to designers and brands at the 2023 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show. Bold, sleek and eye-catching, home designs and decor that feature black are equal parts neutral and daring.

Indie sleaze—the Tumblr-inspired aesthetic that fueled last year's rise of miniskirts, ballet flats and tank tops—matures into Elevated Indie in 2023. Led by designers like Khaite and Saint Laurent, the downtown-cool aesthetic appeals to a broader demographic that appreciates timeless denim and leather pieces.

Scrunchies, acid-wash jeans, tube tops, and capri pants reigned supreme among '90s style trends, along with crimped hair, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, and punk rock.

Why does Gen Z dress like the 90s? ›

Summary: The 90s fashion trends reflected the coming of age of tech and pop culture. Today, Gen Z is drawing its inspiration from grunge, rave, and brit pop influence and rewriting the 90s-inspired outfits in a unique way.

Theories suggest that a big reason why 90s fashion is making a comeback could be children being influenced by their parents' clothing. As the children grow and develop their own fashion identity, they may take inspiration from the clothing their parents have/wear and 'translate' it into modern styles.

Hold on to your curved couch, mauve pillows and acrylic furniture, '80s style is back. After years of minimalism, the colorful, more-is-more aesthetic of 80s interior design is here to deliver us from dullness. Here are our favorite elements of the 80s along with tips for using them in your home.

Glossy red hues took over the Fall 2023 runways ranging from Sandy Liang and PatBo to Tory Burch and Wiederhoeft. Think: Juicy reds with vibrant orange undertones that would look just as good in head-to-toe looks (see: a pantsuit) as accent accessory pieces (trendy shoes, handbags, jewelry, etc.).

Trends such as knee-high splits, geometric cut-outs and sheer fabrics all lends themselves perfectly to a sultry skin moment, whereas for the inevitable open-air soirée, amping up the drama is easy with a 1970s It-girl-inspired hooded gown.

Elements like graphic tees, ripped jeans, bike shorts, leather jackets, and slip dresses and materials such as velvet are all set to make a comeback in 2023. Designers with fashion brands are already making collections using elements and trends from 90s fashion that will jazz up wardrobes.

Like they say, everything that's old becomes new once again, and '70s style is here to stay—at least for a little while longer. While some might've been happy to see the back of flared trousers and platform boots, the groovy styles of a decade that finished over five decades ago are now trending again in 2023.

Spearheaded by designer Ettore Sottsass, the trend now referred to as Memphis Design first debuted at the Milan Furniture Fair in 1981 with 55 ornamental pieces that infused geometric shapes reminiscent of the Art Deco movement with a bold Pop-Art-inspired color palette.

What design style is from the 80s? ›

1) 80's Deco

Essentially, the 80s deco style in graphic design entails clean, sans-serif fonts, pronounced angles and curves. Drop shadows and outer glows were also commonly added to emphasize the text.

Skinny Jeans, Skinny Pants & Leggings Are Back in For Fall 2023.

In 2023, expect a shift towards bold shades,” says Tinu. “Rather than an all-over hue, I predict that brights will be used to outline and accent nails, taking a basic manicure to the next level, with sharp edges and negative space,” she says. "Shades to look out for will include blue, purple, yellow and orange."

Indie sleaze—the Tumblr-inspired aesthetic that fueled last year's rise of miniskirts, ballet flats and tank tops—matures into Elevated Indie in 2023. Led by designers like Khaite and Saint Laurent, the downtown-cool aesthetic appeals to a broader demographic that appreciates timeless denim and leather pieces.

The Spring 2023 Color Trend Report. Yup, hot pink makes an appearance. Jump to category: An Array of Azure.