1980's Fashion Trends

At the moment in uni i'm doing a project on the 1980's, so i've decided to share little bits of what i've learnt with you guys!

The 1980's was known for it's outrageous patterns and bright colours, but it was also popular for its punk/grunge look. My favourite things during the 80's include:

• Neon Colours - Neon colours started to appear in fashion during the mid eighties. Many of the neon clothes came in one of the most popular styles of the day, an over sized jumper. Colors such as hot pink, yellow, orange and green were everywhere! Nowadays neon colours are only seen at parties or festivals. However in Autumn/Winter 2009 Michael Kors created a neon fur collection. 

Vogue 1986

Michael Kors A/W Collection

Michael Kors A/W Collection

• Gym Wear - Spandex was a favorite material for aerobics wear in the 80′s – the picture below is a classic example of a Spandex aerobics outfit, the wearing showing all her curves because in the 1980′s women were more than happy to flaunt their bodies. The view seemed to be the tighter the clothing the better. Gym wear was extremely different in the 80's to what it is now, which in some ways it unfortunate because it was so cool! Leg warmers, leotards, unitards, short shorts and leggings all emerged from the gym wear trend and they are still very popular items nowadays. 

80s Red Robin active leisure wear, Photographed by Bruno Benini 

Here are some of my favourite items on the high street now, that have been influenced by 1980's gym wear.

Leotards -

American Apparel Lace Leotard

This lace leotard is perfect to wear with black disco pants or hot pants also from American Appeal (shown below). 

Leggings -

Topshop £20

ASOS £30

American Apparel Disco Pants £70

• Converse - I love converse, i have 3 different pairs. They're so comfy and you can wear them with pretty much anything. They became popular in the 80's because of gym wear trend. 

Converse - photo from Office Shoes 

• Mandonna's Cross Earrings - The cross earrings Madonna has on in the photo below have become a very popular item in many girls jewellery boxes. Cross's themselves have been used to also make necklaces and bracelets, mainly coming from Topshop. 

Madonna 

Topshop Cross Jewellery 

• Patterned Leggings - Patterns were a massive thing in the 1980's, there were patterns on everything and they were also very bright. I love the patterns and it's good to see some of them coming back. Bright patterns on leggings are my favourite and i've gone a bit crazy when it comes to buying them. 

African Print 1980's Leggings

Printed Leggings and Sequinned Leggings