I was born in the mid 80s and I grew up hating the fashion of the decade: way too bright, way too crazy. Now in my mid twenties, I found that several 80s style pieces have integrated into my wardrobe, without me even noticing. At one moment I even found myself raiding my mother’s closet for puffy shoulders velvet blazers! It’s clear that the 80s finally made their comeback, and while there are some keepers, there are also plenty of nos. I put together this list of what to take with you from the 80s and what to decline.
Neon colors – Take it. And when I say take it, I don’t mean head to toe, I don’t mean dyeing your hair pink or putting on neon-green sneakers. You should rather go with color blocking: use one or two bright colors, combined with neutrals. It was all over the runways for spring and it’s all over the street style blogs now. Get a neon handbag, too!
Harem pants – Take it. But don’t go all the way to MC Hammer pants. Yes, they’re comfortable, but they create a very unusual silhouette – they look best on a tall and slender body. Choose silk and upgrade these low-crotch pants for eveningwear, with heels and unexpected prints, like leopard.
Shoulder pads – Leave it. The 80s were all about big shoulders. The wider, the better. But shoulder pads? They used to put them on coats, even on delicate blouses and dresses! They just make you look masculine and disproportionate. However, if your shoulders are too narrow, you can go for what is now called a “power jacket”, with structured shoulders.
Denim jacket – Take it. The same situation with the denim jacket – it’s back, but please, don’t fringe it and don’t embellish it like 30 years ago. And most of all, don’t wear an all denim suit!
Thigh high boots – Leave it. You might think they make you look hot, but truth to be told, you have to already be hot in order to look good in thigh high boots. They cut your leg and, if mismatched, you’re at risk of looking like Pretty Woman… in her working days. If you still can’t resist them, avoid latex and wear them with jeans rather than with mini skirts.
You might have noticed so far that I recommend to take everything you want, just as long as you do it in moderation. The 80s were a time of opulence and going over the top, and that is probably the reason why everyone’s scared to look at their own pictures from those days.
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