10 Awesome 80s Fashion Pictures

We all know that the 80s were not such a good decade for fashion, but they were certainly easy to remember, which is why today we bring you the ten most memorable 80s fashion pictures we came across online. Some of the decade’s trends were ugly, others were hard on the eyes, most were awfully kitschy, yet somehow they managed to stick around in the collective subconscious. A lot of them, such as peep-toe shoes, Jodhpur pants, and large shoulder pads actually managed to make a comeback! How, it’s hard to tell. Yet here we are, 30 years later, still making the same old fashion mistakes…

10 Awesome 80s Fashion Pictures

1.  Shoulder Pads

Our first in the series of 80s fashion pictures features shoulder pads. Shoulder pads are easily the most memorable of all 80s fashion trends, simply because they were unavoidable to look at when walking down the street. While it is true that a well-tailored jacket or coat needs a bit of support in the shoulder area, shoulder pads are definitely one item where too much is just… too much. When used well, they will help you achieve a smaller-looking waist. However, if your shoulders are naturally on the broad side, careful about wearing anything with shoulder pads.

2. Mini Skirts

This is not necessarily one of the bad 80s fashion trends out there – they made the girls look and feel self-confident and the guys rejoice at the show of skin. However, careful, girls. Not all of you can pull them off. You do need a pretty good figure to be able to carry a mini skirt well. Also, petite girls should be very careful about wearing this style, since a very short skirt will usually hit a thick part of their thigh and make small girls appear wider than they actually are. Want more hot 80s fashion pictures? Do scroll down for the next one.

3. Leg Warmers

Like most of the 80s, leg warmers are supposedly fun, practical and appropriate. Allegedly. This is one of the 80s trends that made a huge comeback during the noughties, while initially it was popularized by such dance movie classics as Flashdance and Dirty Dancing. Yes, leg warmers are appropriate at the gym, out at a club or to actually warm your legs in winter. They are not as well-suited in more formal environments, however…

4. Huge Earrings

It’s easy to explain why big earrings were such an iconic part of the 80s. Every model in 80s fashion pictures had some type of big, bold earrings. Sure, there was Madonna and Cyndi Lauper, but before them, there was the growing Hispanic community in the United States. The 80s saw them gaining in clout, with their traditional trends slipping into the mainstream. 80s hoops are still sort of ‘in’ these days, too, as are chandelier-like danglies and other ear accessories that make one go “Ouch!” when seeing just how big and heavy they are.

5. Fingerless Gloves

Michael Jackson and Madonna turned fingerless gloves into one of the most popular 80s trends, and they have stuck around ever since. They’re edgy, sort of rock and roll and work well with a punk-inspired outfit. They are, however, strictly for the young. Do not, we repeat, do not attempt to pull off this biker-chic fashion element with a more formal outfit… unless you’re going for that whole ‘Papa, don’t preach’ vibe.

6. Parachute Pants

Parachute pants, not to be confused with the Hammer pants, were a tight-fitting type of trousers made of ripstop nylon, which is similar to the material of an actual parachute. They were popularized in the 80s by breakdancers so even those with no type of breakdancing skills use to wear them. Also, what’s with all those zippers?

7. Members Only Jackets

These jackets were a love-item, a must-have and a sign of social standing when it comes to 80s fashion trends. Everyone had to have them, some thirty years ago, and those who didn’t were outcasts, nerds, geeks, dorks… definitely not a part of the cool kids’ club. Imitations were around at the time, too, due to the incredible popular demand. While the style is still around, the brand per se has faded off the list of topical trends.

8. Units

One of the 80s fashion trends that luckily did not survive the decade was that of units. Sold in UNITS boutiques in malls across the United States, the basic concept was that you could buy up to six different pieces in coordinating colors – knit shirts, shirts, belts, and leggings and create a whole new wardrobe and a whole new you.

9. Stretch-Stirrup Pants

Possibly one of the most loathed of all 80s fashion trends, it’s hard to explain or even understand today why this style ever became popular in the first place. Stirrup pants have the awesome ‘advantage’ of not looking good on anyone, no matter how tall, slim or long-legged. They create a triangle-upside-down effect, that basically makes anyone’s hips look too wide. Presumably, they were very comfortable, but surely they had nothing to do with fashion and style whatsoever.

10. Oversized Tops

This is one trend that made a comeback starting with the late 90s. Paired with a skinny or slim-fitted bottom, be it a mini-skirt or a pair of leggings, and accessorized with oversized necklaces or belts, these shirts look pretty good. They are best in their oversized print variety, although solids work as well. For a truly 80s look, go for a bright, bold neon color that will make your style pop and will bring everyone’s attention to you.

Final Words

We hope that these 80s fashion pictures brought back some nostalgia of that era or, if you were not born in those crazy times, perhaps some inspiration for a new outfit. Some of those trends were elegant and unique, others awkward and uninspired. But in the end, why not bring some bright neon in our lives?

updated 7/3/2017