Big and bold — that’s the style order.
If you are seeing a lot of huge and aggressive shoulder pads on the latest fashion collections, blame all of that on the nostalgic revival fashion trend focused on a particular period in the past: the ’80s. These were the glory years of your Ma and Pa.
Wild freedom ruled because the global economy was thriving, and this was immensely evident in fashion. The silhouettes were unique and strong. At the same time, the colors were loud, and the accessories were chunky.
And don’t you forget about the shocking hairstyles! However, the hairstyles are probably the aspect of the fabulous era that you need to avoid. (That is, unless you enjoy explaining the concept of a mullet or the cobra shape of your tresses to everybody who questions it.)
The Trends
Going back to clothing, though, the ’80s was a motherload of funky trends that are dominating today’s street fashion. So if you’re thinking of jumping on this particular revival boom, listed below are the trends to ease you into it seamlessly.
1. Small Bags
Small bags were usually high-end, and they went with the glam power suits the ’80s is known for. Think Sharp S Balenciaga bag for women or an Italian leather clutch for men. It’s compact yet can hold the essentials, and most importantly, it’s stylish.
2. High Water Pants
This style of trousers originated in the ’80s and was often associated with geek fashion. However, these pants have been reborn as versatile bottoms providing a flattering silhouette for both men and women. They are suitable for practically any occasion and can be paired with pretty much anything.
3. Logo Shirts
For a time, logo shirts were taboo (many say because of the popular style rules of the French), but with the current ’80s-inspired fashion, streetwear is not complete without them.
Of course, some logo shirts are more impressive than others, such as Gucci shirts. The prestige of top designer brands makes these shirts acceptable in both casual and formal settings.
4. Body-Conscious Clothing
Skin-tight clothing called body-con fashion never really went away. However, the difference with the pieces that provide an authentic ’80s vibe is that they do not shift around as much.
Bodysuits, which a lot of retail stores offer these days, were standard body-con back then. Invest in a few of these and you get body-con pieces that you can wear through the changing seasons and with anything.
5. Animal Print Everything
Let your ’80s-inspired aesthetics roar with leopard or tiger print pieces. A little bit of “animal” here and there is enough to take your style from basic to fierce. Saint Laurent offers tasteful tops, dresses, coats, bags, and shoes in animal prints. These are fantastic options if you want a more conservative approach to this aesthetic.
However, if you wish to elevate a comfortable safari look to avant-garde, feel free to wear animal print in profusion and throw in a bit of fur (faux, of course) to the mix.
6. Penny Loafers
These preppy shoes are not just for private school kids during the school week. Penny loafers are comfy and stylish footwear for everyone. You can wear them without socks or choose to stand out by pairing them with vibrantly colored hosiery.
Penny loafers go with other era pieces such as those high-water pants, boxy power suits for men, mini skirts, and even Jams shorts.
7. Shades
Yes, back in the day, nobody called them sunnies; they were called shades. Wayfarer and Aviator sunglasses were top picks as they were featured in a lot of top flicks such as “Top Gun,” “Cocktail,” and “Risky Business.” ‘Notice how they were all Tom Cruise movies? Who’s a bigger ’80s movie icon than this guy?
Essentially, shades are the best accessories to wear if you really want to nail any look from the era.
Indeed, Old Is New Again
It truly was only a matter of time before the funky ’80s style resurged in fashion. The current generation epitomizes the same carefree attitude of GenX-ers who were in their teens and 20s over three decades ago.
But this time around, young people can do the ‘80s style better. They can approach the fashion with a tad more polished panache, incorporating a better understanding of proportions and toning down certain pieces with smarter pairing sensibilities.
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