80s Mens Fashion was loud, confident and unrepentantly distinctive. The decade was a major turning point in mens fashion. It was the first time bold colors and statement pieces became a staple in mens outfits. That trend continues today, with pieces from the 80s being a main source of inspiration for modern menswear. From the power suit to the modern streetwear we know and love today, 80s mens fashion was all about being loud and unique.
The Rise of 80s Men’s Fashion Culture
The 80s was a decade dominated by icons in music and cinema and of course in fashion. Confidence and ambition were the prevalent themes in fashion and style.
Some of the key influences were:
MTV and the music video revolution,
Blockbuster Hollywood films,
The Corporate world and the power suit, and
Street culture and its influence on sporty attire.
Fashion Trends From the 80s for Men
Power Dressing and Tailored Suits
Tailored suits were a prominent show of achievement and status in the ’80s.
Characteristics of a tailored suit:
- Padded shoulders
- Double-breasted
- Pinstripes and bold suits
- High waisted dress pants
These suits were meant to embody dominance and confidence in a workplace setting.
Relaxed Street Style
The importance of casual attire equaled that of more formal attire.
Casual wear that was in fashion included:
- Jean jackets and jeans
- Graphic t-shirts
- Bomber jackets
- Hooded sweatshirts
This variety of casual wear initiated an entire street wear culture.
Most Popular Clothing Items
Denim on Denim
Denim was ubiquitous.
Popular styles included:
- Acid-wash jeans
- Stone-wash jackets
- Loose fitting styles
- Wearing double denim was a bold fashion statement.
Leather Jackets
Leather jackets Symbolized a fashion trend.
They were:
- Black or brown
- Jeans or motorcycle boots
- Inspired by military or biker styles
- Outerwear was meant to show confidence.
Colors and Patterns
The use of color in fashion was an influential aspect of the decade.
Colors that embodied the decade were:
- Bright neon pink and green, red and blue
- Pastels in mint and peach
- Men were bold in their color choice. Draft more color patterns were bright neon.
Prints and Patterns
Patterns used in clothing were loud and expressive. There were many common patterns that people would wear that include the following:
- Geometric prints
- Stripes and checks
- Graphic logos
These designs would add energy to the otherwise dull and basic everyday outfits that people would wear.
Footwear and Accessories in 80s Men’s Fashion
Shoes That Made a Statement
Footwear is the one thing that would complete the look for a lot of people and there were a lot of popular shoe styles such as: high-top sneakers, leather loafers, and combat as well as ankle boots. Sneakers would make a statement more than one would think as they were a lifestyle choice and not only something that one would wear for sports.
Accessories That Defined Style
These were bold and were of the aviator style and thick gold chain that one would rock with a big leather belt. Accessories were big and defined the style and in this case confidence would come along with these styled items.
Hairstyles That Completed 80s Men’s Fashion
No one would forget about the hair as it was just as important as clothing was. Hair was defined and bold just as the fashion was and it had styles such as the mullet, slicked back ‘do and a curly perm, along with a high side parted style. Big was best for the hair people would choose to wear.
How to Wear 80s Men’s Fashion Today?
Bring 80’s style into a more modern and contemporary fit without overdoing it.
Mix one modern clothing piece with an 80’s retro piece, choose neutral clothing with bold accents, go for more vintage sneakers or jackets, and keep the fit balanced. This would keep the look of the whole outfit more stylish and more wearable.
Why 80s Men’s Fashion Is Still Popular?
The 80’s style is influenced almost everywhere you look or turn to today magnifying the style and the culture of the 80’s to the people. 80s style has a lot of inspiration in today’s culture.
Reasons for its lasting appeal:
Uniqueness
Whimsical designs
Seamless integration with contemporary styles
Classic showpiece designs
Every decade in history has something noteworthy, with the 80s being one the most loved.
FAQs
What characterizes 80s men’s fashion?
It is characterized by bright primary colors; big wasn’t just better, it was a whole style; and big shoulder jackets, and layers whether it was denim or leather.
What clothing was popular for men in the 1980s?
A popular fashion statement included power suits, denim jackets, graphic tees, bombers, leather apparel, and high-top trainers.
Can 80s men’s fashion be worn today?
Definitely; denim, jackets and trainers are pieces from the 80s era that blend well with today’s fashion only, as a note, the 80s pieces should be wore in moderation.
What colors were trendy in 80s men’s fashion?
Bright colors were a trend, including; neons, pastels and bold patterns.
Why is 80s men’s fashion trending again?
A large part of it is due to pop culture nostalgia, when combined with bold, fashion design its makes it a returning trend.