30 '80s Fashion Trends Making an Epic Comeback
Turns out shoulder pads actually can look chic?
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Turns out OTT '80s fashion trends, like puffy sleeves, ruffles, and shoulder pads, are more fashionable that you thought. These 30 styles from the decade are making a modern comeback—both on and off the runway.
Velour
Juicy Couture Velour Pullover, $168
Juicy Couture Velour Pant, $148
Most commonly associated with Juicy Couture, velour popped up on sweaters and tracksuits everywhere in the '80s. The velvety, stretchy fabric has come back in a major way, most recently when Juicy Couture released a collaboration with VFILES, as seen here during London Fashion Week in February.
Patchwork Denim
Calvin Klein Sleeveless Patchwork Denim Sheath Dress, $90
Patchwork denim rose in popularity in the '70s and continued to be a major trend over the next decade due to its quintessential Americana aesthetic. Here, a model wears the look at the Valerie runway show during Stockholm fashion week in August 2017.
Lamé
LoveShackFancy Allegra Dress, $375
When you think of prom fashion during the 1980s, shiny lamé dresses are probably the first thing that comes to mind. Here, a model at Ulla Johnson's runway show in February wears a modern take on lamé: a one-shoulder metallic dress with ruffle details and suede boots.
Off-the-Shoulder and Cold-Shoulder Silhouettes
Band of Gypsies Floral Print Off the Shoulder Top, $59
This shoulder-baring style is found in every clothing store today, but it was commonplace in '80s classics like Flashdance, Heathers, Pretty in Pink, and Ghostbusters. Whitney Houston and Madonna were also fans of the style during that period. In this photo, a model walks the Zimmermann runway show in September 2017 wearing an off-the-shoulder floral top and matching skirt.
High-Waist Jeans
BDG High-Rise Straight + Narrow Jean, $79
You might know them as "mom jeans," but this high-rise, slightly baggy style really has taken off in the fashion world recently—goodbye for now, skinny, low-rise jeans! Here, Jordyn Woods wears on-trend wide-leg, past-the-bellybutton jeans backstage at the Chromat show in September 2017.
Headbands
Scunci Wide Stretch Basic Headwraps, $12
Headbands (especially when worn with teased hair) were such a staple of the '80s—rockstars like Steven Tyler and pop queens like Madonna often wore the accessory. Here, Hailey Baldwin gets in on the look at the September 2017 amfAR gala in Milan.
Ankle Socks
Richer Poorer Blink Classic Ankle Sock, $12
Ankle socks worn with heels or sneakers were a classic '80s style—the slouchier, the better. While in the aughts it was more about hiding your socks with lower-rise pairs, now, it seems showing your sock is making a fashionable return—from street-style stars pairing them with designer pumps, seen here during Paris Fashion Week, to off-duty models wearing them with their dad shoes.
Statement Jewelry
Dannijo Mathilde Crystal Drop Earrings, $350
Statement jewelry like rhinestone earrings—especially in clip-on form—necklaces, and bracelets were popular in the '80s because their loud look went perfectly with the decade's bold perms and colorful eyeshadow. Tom Ford's runway show in February channeled the era with his excessive silver jewelry, seen here on Kaia Gerber.
Ruffles
Y.A.S. Ruffle Maxi Dress with Lace Inserts, $174
The fact that ruffles were a major '80s trend comes as no surprise when you imagine, again, prom during that time. Nowadays, the style is more refined, as seen on the frilled sleeves and hem of this maxi dress at Tory Burch's runway show in February.
Acid-Washed Denim
Rachel Rachel Roy Acid Wash Denim Jacket, $139
One of the edgier '80s styles was acid-washed denim, which reflected the rock 'n' roll culture of the time period. A model at Ralph Lauren's runway show in February wears the style by sporting a bleached jacket and matching jeans.
Sheer Tights
Hanes Pantyhose, $18
Black sheer tights were a red carpet staple seen on actresses from Sarah Jessica Parker to Vanessa Williams, and three decades later, the trend is popping back up. At Libertine's runway show in February, a model sports transparent black tights (albeit with some embroidery), paired with a skirt and jacket.
Animal Print
RIXO London Leopard-Print Silk-Crepe Wrap Skirt, $325
Another OTT '80s trend? Animal-print everything. The decade was all about wild, loud patterns, so the spots and stripes of leopards, cheetahs, and zebras were everywhere. Animal print made a serious comeback in various Fall/Winter 2018 collections, such as Tom Ford and Max Mara, pictured here.
Shoulder Pads
ASOS Boxy Body With Shoulder Pads, $45
Shoulder pads are arguably the fashion trend most synonymous with the era, and although it's oft-ridiculed, designers recently brought back the silhouette by making it more modern. The extra padding exaggerates your shoulders, but it can still look chic, as seen in this fitted, sharp blazer at the Louis Vuitton runway show in March.
Statement Sleeves
PETERSYN Alexis Puff-Sleeve Top, $225
Along similar lines as shoulder pads, statement puffy sleeves also have become fashionable again. They were featured at the Stella McCartney runway show in March.
Logos
Marc Jacobs Mickey-Print Denim Mini Skirt, $350
From Harley Davidson to Disney's Mickey Mouse and Coca-Cola, wearing a logo was also a huge trend of this period. Branded merch has resurfaced with the rise of "logomania," such as this Disney-inspired Opening Ceremony runway show in March.
Vans
Vans Old Skool Original Sneaker, $60
Skate culture really took off during this time, and Vans' classic checkerboard pattern became super popular thanks to Jeff Spicoli from Fast Times At Ridgemont High. In addition to those infamous slip-ons, the brand's "Old Skool" silhouette later gained traction and continues to appear today, as seen in this photo from Paris Fashion Week in March.
Leg-Warmers
Ballet Beautiful Stretch Knit Legwarmers, $70
You might immediately think of Flashdance when you hear the term "leg-warmers," but this style goes beyond the '80s hit that helped popularize it. In March, these leg-warmer shoes hit the runway during China Fashion Week, proving that they're not just for dance class.
Power Suits
J. Crew Regent Blazer, $198
J. Crew Slim Crop Pant, $80
Melanie Griffith gave everyone major power suit inspo in the 1988 movie Working Girl, and the trend has sprung back up today, appearing on models like Karlie Kloss and, more recently, on royalty when Meghan Markle was spotted in the style.
Mesh
Forever 21 Sheer Mesh Top, $15
You easily could find people in the '80s club scene layering bras and shirts under mesh fabric, and the same holds true today. At Coachella, Victoria's Secret model Alessandra Ambrosio wears a black mesh crop top over a white bralette with black high-waist cutoffs.
Sequins
Free People Mermaid Mini Party Dress, $300
If you remember watching Olympic figure skating in the '80s, or even if you've just seen pictures of the outfits, you'll know that sequins were definitely a Thing. Now, the trend looks a little more polished. Take, for instance, this iridescent sequin midi shown at Barcelona Bridal Week in April.
I'm Cosmopolitan's Associate Fashion Editor and write about any and all trends, major celeb fashion moments, and why wide-leg jeans are basically the best. I originally moved to New York City to audition for RENT, only to find out that the play closed 10 years ago.
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