For some, the 80’s were a great time. MTV revolutionised fashion, the music industry and even how we watched TV. For others, it was nothing but bad hair, worse clothing and music that often had more to do with machines than talent. The clothes worn in the 80s depicted people who were trying to find themselves. They looked for ways to express their creativity and individuality. Men wore make up and grew long but smart hair. Women wore short hair and layers of clothing. Both sexes were looking for an identity and bright colours were the order of the day.
For others of us the 80’s seemed a bit dull after the Flower Power and Hippies of the 60’s and Disco and Glitter of the 70’s, but the 80’s had a vibe and independence all its own and was responsible for Punk Music with dictated fashion for many. In opposition were the New Romantics who listed to Soft Cell, Wham and Spandau Ballet and dressed in expensive clothing with a smart casual look. Brands like Jordache, Gap, Reebok and Esprit came to the fore. And best of all for men, George Michael made it fashionable to be unshaven but without having a full beard. For women, Madonna was the Queen of the 80’s with her ever changing music styles and ever changing clothing styles to match.
Great vs. Not so Great is of course a judgement call, but some fashions were aesthetically pleasing whilst others drew glances for other reasons.
Great: Skirts & Jackets
· Off-Shoulder Shirts
· 3/4 Sleeves
· Crop Top
· Primary Colours
· Pink Sweater
· Sweater on Waist
· Neon
· Matching Socks
· Thick Belts
· Long T-Shirts
· Mini Skirts
· Rock Band Shirts
· Black & Neon
· Leather or Jean Jackets
· Chains on Leather
· Rolled Sleeves
· Pastels
· Sleeveless Shirts
Legs
· Tight Stonewashed Jeans
· Zippered Legs
· 3/4 Length Legging
· Legwarmers
· Scrunch Socks
· Exercise Gear
· Coloured Hose w/Rips
· Tight Leather Pants
· Bright Colours
· Spandex
· Tight Stonewashed Jeans
· Parachute Pants
· Corduroy Pants
Not so Great:
The 80’s Punk movement led by bands such as The Sex Pistols claimed to be anti-everything but primarily anti-establishment and displayed anti-social behaviour such as spitting on and swearing at their audiences. To vomit in public heralded acclaim. If their fashion had a predecessor it was that of the motorcycle gangs of the 60s, the Rockers, Greasers and Hell’s Angels. Dirty denim jeans with splits and holes in were main stream for the punks, as were black studded and chained leather and PVC jackets complemented by studs, rings and safety pins through the nose, ears and facial cheeks. Punk though, despite its media impact, was not even that big in Liberal London and other inner cities, and was rarely seen out in the suburbs.Whilst figure hugging Spandex looked stunning on a great body, it was also worn by some of those with a fuller figure, thus placing it in both categories. The same could be said for parachute pants, exercise gear and some of the other fads, so maybe this was one factor separating the ‘Great’ from the ‘Not so Great’.
