How to Dress 80s with Normal Clothes?
19 Mar 2024
Disco, the mix and match of bright colors, dramatic prints, and the famous "inverted triangle" silhouette and a thin waist with an attractive thick belt - this is it, the wayward and icon fashion style of the 80s!
Revisiting photos of our mothers and grandmothers, we are surprised by their bright makeup and bouffant hair, as if they were those rebels. However, in the distant 80s, it was not necessary to have a rebellious temperament to stand out from the crowd. At that time, fashion spoke unconventionality and personality for everyone who adhered to it.
More recently, clothes in the style of the 80's were dressed more and more not only for themed parties, but also in daily life. Party in the style of the 80's - today it is a very popular option for holidays and events. After all, it gives you the opportunity to plunge headfirst into the atmosphere of that distant and colorful era.
People always say that fashion returns after 25 years. It's time to look back and find out what was at the peak of fashion in the hot eighties. What was the fashion in the 80s? How did girls and guys dress then? And most importantly, how can you dress 80s with the normal clothes in your closet?
Revisiting photos of our mothers and grandmothers, we are surprised by their bright makeup and bouffant hair, as if they were those rebels. However, in the distant 80s, it was not necessary to have a rebellious temperament to stand out from the crowd. At that time, fashion spoke unconventionality and personality for everyone who adhered to it.
More recently, clothes in the style of the 80's were dressed more and more not only for themed parties, but also in daily life. Party in the style of the 80's - today it is a very popular option for holidays and events. After all, it gives you the opportunity to plunge headfirst into the atmosphere of that distant and colorful era.
People always say that fashion returns after 25 years. It's time to look back and find out what was at the peak of fashion in the hot eighties. What was the fashion in the 80s? How did girls and guys dress then? And most importantly, how can you dress 80s with the normal clothes in your closet?
1980s Fashion Overview
The clothing style of the 80s, that was diverse and easily recognizable, is the beginning of the modernization of fashion trends of the past decades.
The new images that women's clothing of the 80s brought to the fashion world were distinguished by the use of mismatched bright shades, dramatic prints, and voluminous jewelry. Based on subcultures that were popular in previous decades, fashion bows were characterized by a special chic, bright details, and layered clothing. The main driving force in promoting the fashion trends of the eighties were the stars of the American television industry and famous singers of the time, such as Madonna.
Style of women's clothing of the 80s: emphasis on individuality
The eighties - a time of bold experiments, incredible color combinations, and the desire to declare their individuality. Emphasized demonstration of liberty and freedom was characteristic of the 80s, but only the most daring girls who were not afraid of provocative challenges dared to make eccentric experiments with their style and appearance.
Tight shorts, neon-colored leggings, denim skirts, colored stockings with fishnet patterns, blouses with puffy sleeves, and stylish fitted dresses - all these things formed stylish images of girls of the 80s.
Exercise and aerobics became a cult trend of the era. Short tops, as well as comfortable tights and leggings quickly migrated from fitness halls to parties and discos. Bright elements of sportswear harmonized with everyday life, including voluminous tracksuits, in which you could not only go jogging but also to meetings and walks with friends.
Cropped leather jackets that came into fashion were perfect for fashionistas of the last century and looked great with short denim skirts, neon-colored tights, and boots with thick high heels.
General fashion trends in the 80s
Fashion of the 80s for women provided for the use of layering in clothing and the combination of the most extravagant color variations. The most popular trend was a total look that can still create a complete finished image, despite the variety of use of different elements used in the outfit. The variations of the color palette of fashionistas from different countries could have huge differences, but there were several common principles in the selection of their outfits:
use of bright color schemes;
emphasis on the waist;
embellishment of clothing elements with rhinestones and sequins;
wide shoulder line;
massive jewelry.
Restraint in self-expression in that period was not relevant, so girls try to look bright, and to some extent provocative.
The new images that women's clothing of the 80s brought to the fashion world were distinguished by the use of mismatched bright shades, dramatic prints, and voluminous jewelry. Based on subcultures that were popular in previous decades, fashion bows were characterized by a special chic, bright details, and layered clothing. The main driving force in promoting the fashion trends of the eighties were the stars of the American television industry and famous singers of the time, such as Madonna.
Style of women's clothing of the 80s: emphasis on individuality
The eighties - a time of bold experiments, incredible color combinations, and the desire to declare their individuality. Emphasized demonstration of liberty and freedom was characteristic of the 80s, but only the most daring girls who were not afraid of provocative challenges dared to make eccentric experiments with their style and appearance.
Tight shorts, neon-colored leggings, denim skirts, colored stockings with fishnet patterns, blouses with puffy sleeves, and stylish fitted dresses - all these things formed stylish images of girls of the 80s.
Exercise and aerobics became a cult trend of the era. Short tops, as well as comfortable tights and leggings quickly migrated from fitness halls to parties and discos. Bright elements of sportswear harmonized with everyday life, including voluminous tracksuits, in which you could not only go jogging but also to meetings and walks with friends.
Cropped leather jackets that came into fashion were perfect for fashionistas of the last century and looked great with short denim skirts, neon-colored tights, and boots with thick high heels.
General fashion trends in the 80s
Fashion of the 80s for women provided for the use of layering in clothing and the combination of the most extravagant color variations. The most popular trend was a total look that can still create a complete finished image, despite the variety of use of different elements used in the outfit. The variations of the color palette of fashionistas from different countries could have huge differences, but there were several common principles in the selection of their outfits:
use of bright color schemes;
emphasis on the waist;
embellishment of clothing elements with rhinestones and sequins;
wide shoulder line;
massive jewelry.
Restraint in self-expression in that period was not relevant, so girls try to look bright, and to some extent provocative.
Simple 80s Outfit Ideas with Normal Clothes
Most families still have pictures from 1980s that we can easily see what was worn in the 80's. The 80s was a period of fashion versatility. Girls tried to imitate famous singers and actresses who looked bright and eccentric on the screens. Today, designers bring back this style in their collections, using its elements or creating full outfits for the disco image. Bright and bold fashionistas, business ladies, and gentle natures can find a variant of clothing under themselves. To repeat the image of the eighties, you should definitely get the most fashionable things of this era.
Jackets, coats, and blazers from the 80s
Voluminous shoulders are one of the most famous features of eighties fashion style. In the 1980s, broad shoulders were not only an important element of the style of a strong and determined woman, who is successful in politics and business, but also a hot trend popular among fashionistas all over the world. If you want to conquer others, create a narrowed-down silhouette with a voluminous top. Unusual styles came into fashion, which were performed in all possible colors.
Depending on the preferences of the fashionista, for cold and cool seasons you could pick up one of the options:
leather jacket with voluminous shoulders and shortened waist;
jacket with shoulder pads - inserts that visually made the shoulder girdle more voluminous;
a classic cut coat with large buttons or a wide belt;
a winter jacket with bright colors.
Ideas of outerwear could be seen in fashion magazines. Some variants were sewn from ordinary coats or dresses, supplementing them with original inserts and changing the style.
How to wear them now? Ladies can easily combine jackets in boyfriend style with skinny jeans or leggings. However, brutal oversized also looks great with delicate blouses and lace dresses. It is desirable to add a hat to the image or attach a large brooch to the blazer.
Dress with a wide belt
The ideal silhouette in the fashion of the 80s is wide shoulders and a narrow waist. Therefore, a wide belt should appear in the dress. You can wear it with almost any outfit: a shirt, a dress, even a sweater. The wider the band, the better!
Super mini dress
After a few seasons of dresses from midi and maxi lengths, we are back to the ultra-feminine mini. Thanks to the 80's fashion, short dresses will be back on point! Saint Laurent and Isabel Marant have largely dominated this trend. If you like to show off slim legs, as an option wear a dress with an asymmetrical bottom.
Dress with flounces
It wasn't just colors and patterns that were crazy in the 80s. Ruffles and flounces were experimented with - designers were not afraid of layers! At the height were ruffles, which are back in fashion this season. Especially fashionable will be stiff, which will look great on a cocktail dress!
How to wear these kind of dresses nowadays? Voluminous sleeves and shoulders are relevant this season too. Remember about oversized jackets and blouses with puffy ruffles: modern fashionistas love to wear crazy sleeves no less than their mothers and grandmothers. The rules for using such things in an image haven't changed: if you wear a voluminous top, match it with a tight bottom.
Leggings
As it was in the 80s: no one was shy to wear leggings whenever and wherever, even if the figure did not reach the ideal parameters. Red, leopard and pink leggings were in fashion. Girls were not afraid to provoke and were not going to hide their seductive forms.
How to wear leggins now to get that 80s feeling? Leggings are biased, so wear them carefully, especially if the leggings are bright. Still, the figure matters, and put on these tight pants owners of overly voluminous buttocks should not. In addition, colored leggings will become the main accent of the image. Combine them with a white shirt, a navy blue long turtleneck, or a black little dress.
Shiny leopard print
Prefer something more extravagant? Do you like to stand out from the crowd? Crazy colors, patterns, and glittery finishes are other determinants of 80s fashion. Leopard print was also a characteristic of this decade. Looking for a party idea? Bid on a dress with glittery leopard print.
Now designers offer to dress in leopard almost head to toe. The most radical variations were shown in the fall-winter collections of Versace and Cavalli. The latter made outfits based on one bright accent detail - leopard skirts, shirts, or jackets - and combined them with basic monochrome clothes to reduce the degree of rather unorthodox and aggressive print.
Open shoulder dress
The 1980s in fashion were beyond colorful and crazy. The clothes of those years were characterized by all sorts of asymmetries. Dresses with an open shoulder on one side and long sleeves on the other were popular.
This season such a dress is an absolute must have. You can wear it every day with sports shoes and a backpack. Are you looking for a party outfit now? Choose an asymmetrical dress with gold or silver stiletto sandals and a bag decorated with shiny stones.
Jackets, coats, and blazers from the 80s
Voluminous shoulders are one of the most famous features of eighties fashion style. In the 1980s, broad shoulders were not only an important element of the style of a strong and determined woman, who is successful in politics and business, but also a hot trend popular among fashionistas all over the world. If you want to conquer others, create a narrowed-down silhouette with a voluminous top. Unusual styles came into fashion, which were performed in all possible colors.
Depending on the preferences of the fashionista, for cold and cool seasons you could pick up one of the options:
leather jacket with voluminous shoulders and shortened waist;
jacket with shoulder pads - inserts that visually made the shoulder girdle more voluminous;
a classic cut coat with large buttons or a wide belt;
a winter jacket with bright colors.
Ideas of outerwear could be seen in fashion magazines. Some variants were sewn from ordinary coats or dresses, supplementing them with original inserts and changing the style.
How to wear them now? Ladies can easily combine jackets in boyfriend style with skinny jeans or leggings. However, brutal oversized also looks great with delicate blouses and lace dresses. It is desirable to add a hat to the image or attach a large brooch to the blazer.
Dress with a wide belt
The ideal silhouette in the fashion of the 80s is wide shoulders and a narrow waist. Therefore, a wide belt should appear in the dress. You can wear it with almost any outfit: a shirt, a dress, even a sweater. The wider the band, the better!
Super mini dress
After a few seasons of dresses from midi and maxi lengths, we are back to the ultra-feminine mini. Thanks to the 80's fashion, short dresses will be back on point! Saint Laurent and Isabel Marant have largely dominated this trend. If you like to show off slim legs, as an option wear a dress with an asymmetrical bottom.
Dress with flounces
It wasn't just colors and patterns that were crazy in the 80s. Ruffles and flounces were experimented with - designers were not afraid of layers! At the height were ruffles, which are back in fashion this season. Especially fashionable will be stiff, which will look great on a cocktail dress!
How to wear these kind of dresses nowadays? Voluminous sleeves and shoulders are relevant this season too. Remember about oversized jackets and blouses with puffy ruffles: modern fashionistas love to wear crazy sleeves no less than their mothers and grandmothers. The rules for using such things in an image haven't changed: if you wear a voluminous top, match it with a tight bottom.
Leggings
As it was in the 80s: no one was shy to wear leggings whenever and wherever, even if the figure did not reach the ideal parameters. Red, leopard and pink leggings were in fashion. Girls were not afraid to provoke and were not going to hide their seductive forms.
How to wear leggins now to get that 80s feeling? Leggings are biased, so wear them carefully, especially if the leggings are bright. Still, the figure matters, and put on these tight pants owners of overly voluminous buttocks should not. In addition, colored leggings will become the main accent of the image. Combine them with a white shirt, a navy blue long turtleneck, or a black little dress.
Shiny leopard print
Prefer something more extravagant? Do you like to stand out from the crowd? Crazy colors, patterns, and glittery finishes are other determinants of 80s fashion. Leopard print was also a characteristic of this decade. Looking for a party idea? Bid on a dress with glittery leopard print.
Now designers offer to dress in leopard almost head to toe. The most radical variations were shown in the fall-winter collections of Versace and Cavalli. The latter made outfits based on one bright accent detail - leopard skirts, shirts, or jackets - and combined them with basic monochrome clothes to reduce the degree of rather unorthodox and aggressive print.
Open shoulder dress
The 1980s in fashion were beyond colorful and crazy. The clothes of those years were characterized by all sorts of asymmetries. Dresses with an open shoulder on one side and long sleeves on the other were popular.
This season such a dress is an absolute must have. You can wear it every day with sports shoes and a backpack. Are you looking for a party outfit now? Choose an asymmetrical dress with gold or silver stiletto sandals and a bag decorated with shiny stones.
Tips for Nailing the 80s Look
In the 80s, everyone dressed in oversized, bold, and absolutely adorable outfits. During the day, ladies wore oversize jackets to prove their strength, and so did men. In the evening, they wore magical sparkly outfits. This is very different from the minimalistic outfits that we now prefer and are used to wearing. Therefore, it is very easy to make mistakes when it comes to recreating 80's fashion styles. Take a look at the following styling tips to make it easier for you to bring this retro style to life.
1. Don't literally just copy the entire runway look. In that way you will avoid the copycat effect.
2. The best idea to integrate the 80s feeling into stylish fashion is to refer to it with a single element or accessory. In the case of the dress, forgo the large plastic hairpins and the fleece at the back of the head. Give the combination a modern twist and go for sleek hair and minimalism jewelry.
3. Add vintage accessories. This is the easiest way not to go overboard with the 80s retro style. Wear an old brooch, glasses like John Lennon's, a headband made of a scarf, or complete the look with a vintage bag. Such details will attract attention and make you want to take a closer look. Vintage buttons or vintage lace trim on the pockets and collar can also act as a small accent.
4. A belt around the waist will go with many looks. Thanks to it, you can change your office look, you just need to tie a belt on a shirt or a woman's jacket.
5.Choose universal, basic clothes. Brightly colored leggings or neon tights are only good for photo shoots. To wear retro things and look stylish every time, you should prefer clothes that can easily fit into your closet. Choose vintage shirts, raincoats, trench coats, t-shirts, and skirts - they can be easily combined with modern items.
6. Keep up with current trends. This will help you create a unique and trendy look. For example, accent sleeves and loose-fitting jeans are trending right now. Choose a vintage leather jacket with big sleeves, a jacket with an extended shoulder line, or mom jeans. These will pair well with modern t-shirts, tops, and accessories.
If your goal is, on the contrary, to stand out through vintage clothing, then choose things that do not reflect the current trend. For example, as long as zebra print is in fashion, few people will notice that your coat with this print was created in another era.
1. Don't literally just copy the entire runway look. In that way you will avoid the copycat effect.
2. The best idea to integrate the 80s feeling into stylish fashion is to refer to it with a single element or accessory. In the case of the dress, forgo the large plastic hairpins and the fleece at the back of the head. Give the combination a modern twist and go for sleek hair and minimalism jewelry.
3. Add vintage accessories. This is the easiest way not to go overboard with the 80s retro style. Wear an old brooch, glasses like John Lennon's, a headband made of a scarf, or complete the look with a vintage bag. Such details will attract attention and make you want to take a closer look. Vintage buttons or vintage lace trim on the pockets and collar can also act as a small accent.
4. A belt around the waist will go with many looks. Thanks to it, you can change your office look, you just need to tie a belt on a shirt or a woman's jacket.
5.Choose universal, basic clothes. Brightly colored leggings or neon tights are only good for photo shoots. To wear retro things and look stylish every time, you should prefer clothes that can easily fit into your closet. Choose vintage shirts, raincoats, trench coats, t-shirts, and skirts - they can be easily combined with modern items.
6. Keep up with current trends. This will help you create a unique and trendy look. For example, accent sleeves and loose-fitting jeans are trending right now. Choose a vintage leather jacket with big sleeves, a jacket with an extended shoulder line, or mom jeans. These will pair well with modern t-shirts, tops, and accessories.
If your goal is, on the contrary, to stand out through vintage clothing, then choose things that do not reflect the current trend. For example, as long as zebra print is in fashion, few people will notice that your coat with this print was created in another era.
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