<< CHECK ‘EM OUT! The best 1980s vintage fashion clothing trends you love to remember, wear and (perhaps) chuckle at 

SHOP The 80s NOW

Admittedly, even I cut out shoulder pads before wearing an ’80s garment — but I still like totally love ’80s fashion and have respect for what shoulder pads, along with 9 other rockin’ ’80s trends, represented for women’s fashion! Do you love or loathe the ’80s?

What do you think of 80s vintage fashion? Comment below, or say hello on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

xx, SD

’80s VINTAGE FASHION CLOTHING

Feel free to scroll through the post to see these totally trendy ’80s clothing styles, or click any of the links below to be taken immediately to the text within the article!

#1: Tropical Print

#2: Cut-Out Shoulders

#3: Peplum Dresses

#4: Diane Freis Dresses

#5: Stonewash Denim

#6: Denim Jumpsuits

#7: Coogi “Cosby” Sweaters

#8: Power Blazers

#9: Batwing Sleeves

#10: Old Hollywood Black Dresses

#1: Pin-Up Tropical Style

The 1980s did the 1940s and 1950s in all the right ways by playing up pin-up style with tropical prints (think “Hawaii Five-O”) and designs loved by the California girl with Rockabilly flair.

WORN TODAY: It’s easy to wear an ’80s piece with tropical print, whether you want to wear the print full-on with a matching top and short like Victory Vintage Boutique (left) or as a bottom paired with a solid colored top like Retro Minx (right).

#2: Cut-Out Shoulders

Showing skin in the ’80s got creative with well positioned cut-out holes/openings on a garment’s sleeve. The cut-outs could be found anywhere from the shoulder to the chest area, but you’ll often see ’80s blazers (like above) or shirts (shown below) with missing material along the shoulder line.

Source: Stylish in Suburbia / The Aurora Sky 

WORN TODAY: The cut-out shoulder trend made a comeback in modern fashion, as contemporary fashion brands are now offering their own versions of the missing shoulder button-up. I’ve seen DIY fashionistas thrift store shop ’80s oversize blouses for a steal, and then add a touch of modern femininity to them by removing the shoulder material themselves.

​OWN IT: ’80s Cut-Out Shoulder Mesh Sleeve Body Con Dress ($58) by Fabled Fancy on Etsy / ’80s Cut-Out Shoulder Lace Sleeve Body Con Dress ($50) by Fabled Fancy on Etsy

#3: Peplum Dresses

Peplum Dress – My Own!

Like the ’80s did the ’40s with pin-up tropical style, the ’80s did the ’40s with some pretty peplums, too! The peplum is best described as a “skirt on a skirt,” creating a flare that varies in length and cut but usually begins around the natural waistline and falls shorter than the length of the dress’ actual skirt.

Source: Yours Truly Mag / LuLu Tresors 

WORN TODAY: If you shop Forever 21, you may have noticed the fast fashion chain’s serious penchant for the peplum last spring. The peplum is a great girlie touch on top of a skin-tight dress because it adds structure and volume, also helping slender, petite girls accentuate their waist line for a more curvy body look.

​BUY IT: Dark Floral ’80s Peplum Dress ($76) by The Paraders on Etsy / Light Floral ’80s Peplum Dress ($52) by Pom Pom Clothing on Etsy

#4: Diane Freis Dresses

You don’t know her today, but Diane Freis was a highly coveted department store based designer brand from 1983 (when she released her dresses stateside after launching the brand first in Hong Kong) into the 1990s. Once you know her design personality, it’s not too hard to recognize a Diane Freis dress. Like Pucci, her abstract floral prints are unmistakable and intended for girls of bold personalities. Her dresses are usually mid-length (below the knee) and cut to skim the waist and flow loose and billowy everywhere else.

WORN TODAY: A Diane Freis dress isn’t quite office or day appropriate, but you can certainly channel this luxury ’80s fashion brand (with inflation in consideration, her dresses average $1,000 each today) for evening rooftop affairs (like blogger Fashion Park Station above) or as a fresh dance frock at a forthcoming Fleetwood Mac reunion tour!

BUY IT: Diane Freis Red ’80s Dress ($116) by Stairway to Vintage on Etsy / Diane Freis ’80s Purple Dress ($69.50) by Quirk Vintage Clothing on Etsy

#5: Stonewash Denim

Stonewash Denim Jacket – My Own!

You can’t not think of stonewash denim when you think of the ’80s, and rightfully so because the trend of stonewash literally was invented by an Italian ’80s denimwear company after late ’70s punk rockers were spotted bleaching their jeans in rebellion of the ’80s vintage fashion trends. Head banger rock bands like Motley Crue and AC/DC popularized the wash to the mainstream during the early ’80s, and before you knew it every groupie girl was buying her own version of this stonewash-acid wash light denim look. The iconic 1980s Madonna outfits also embraced this edgy, rebellious style..

WORN TODAY: Roll your eyes if you will, but stonewash is stellar and definitely here to stay as a modern trend of 2012. I’ve been seeing the wash in contemporary stores, and many a vintage store in NYC is now carrying a small selection of stonewash denim jackets, skirts and high-waisted pants. The stonewash skirt is a great choice for the girl who loves to layer in denim, as you can wear dark denim on top with a white tee and the stonewash below, as seen on Revival Vintage to the left. Fashion blogger Natural Beings rolled the cuffs of her thrifted high-waisted stonewash jeans. She kept it low-key and contemporary chic with sneakers, leather belt and a striped tee.

BUY IT: ’80s Vintage Fashion Stonewash Pencil Skirt ($30) by Charming Gypsy Vintage on Etsy / ’80s Stonewash Print Pumps ($26) by Tight Pressed Vintage on Etsy

#6: Denim Jumpsuits

The jumpsuit originated in trend from the 1940s and found its way back into the fashion consciousness in a good (or arguably bad!) way in the 1970s. By the 1980s, the jumpsuit went super casual with the era’s love of all-things-denim, and designer denim brands like GUESS? were producing 100% denim jumpsuits with long sleeves, high necklines and tapered legs!

WORN TODAY: The denim jumpsuit of today is a personality piece that with colorful accessories – like fashion blogger Beckerman Bite Plate so brilliantly does with her red pairings – need not look like you’re wearing a trucker’s uniform or something pulled from your mom’s closet (although honestly, that’s OK too!) I love how Miss Beckerman is wearing her pinstripe denim onesie with light grey heels and silver-white bangles on both arms. Down to her bold red lip, she’s consciously styled her ’80s vintage fashion garb for an appearance that doesn’t scream the era.

OWN IT: ’80s Diane Von Furstenberg Denim Jumpsuit ($105) by Tiger Lily Frocks on Etsy / ’80s Button-Up Denim Jumpsuit ($58) by Rock Street Vintage on Etsy

#7: Coogi “Cosby” Sweaters

Coogi brand sweaters were bright and bold knits that were very expensive and therefore a status symbol, especially amongst rappers of the ’90s (RIP Notorious BIG!). The mixed knit color and pattern trend inspired the entire era’s trend of over-the-top patterned sweaters, also known as a “Cosby” sweaters because actor Bill Cosby wore them so often on “The Cosby Show” during the decade. They look a bit like your Grandmother took a psychedelic trip and busted out her knitting needles for creative expression, but these sweaters retailed for hundreds of dollars in their day and are still considered the “cool girl-guy” sweater of today when styled with modern influences in mind.

WORN TODAY: When wearing a Coogi sweater one might as well dress with Coogi confidence, which is exactly what fashion blogger Teffopia is doing here mixing Coogi knits with leopard print pants and the ombre coloring of her hip length braided hair. Since the sweaters are more masculine in cut, pairing one with fitted trousers and slipper shoes feels right in place of a jacket on a cool fall day.

BUY IT: ’80s Coogi Style Sweater ($59.99) by Love Charlie J on Etsy / ’80s Men’s Coogi Sweater ($45) by Buddy Buddy Vintage on Etsy

#8: The Padded Power Blazer

Ugh, shoulder pads! I totally understand — it’s quite alright if you are thinking that right now! I for one cut the shoulder pads out of practically every ’80s vintage fashion garment I’ve ever owned. I just don’t have the frame for them plus the style isn’t always embraced by the times. That’s not to say shoulder pads won’t come back (have you seen the September 2012 issue of Vogue? Lots of ’80s influences!) or that the power-padded blazer can’t be worn appropriately with today’s style in mind. For the working girls of 1980s corporate America, the masculine styling of the padded oversize blazer was a confidence booster in an era when women were making greater leaps and bounds in their careers than ever before. The style represented a shift in the expectations of females: They could be the CEOs and wear the pants with a blazer, just like the men in the office.

Source: Drowning Equilibriums / The Kissing Tree Vintage

WORN TODAY: The ’80s blazer is a great compliment to the high-shorts trend. Wear a longer style (with or without the shoulder pads – up to you!) that hits right above the bottom hem of high-waisted shorts. Pair with a solid colored button-up below and heels for a professional look that’s fashionably fierce, not sexy secretary.

BUY IT: ’80s Bold Red Power Blazer ($105) by Erstwhile Style on Etsy

#9: Batwing Sleeves

So much of ’80s vintage fashion styling was dressing in oversize “top” garments, and the batwing jacket and sweater trend is one of these oversize examples. This particular type of sleeve is like wearing a free waist skirt — it doesn’t matter how big your arm is, it just fits! Spread your arms out like a bird and it looks like you could fly away with those wings, baby!

WORN TODAY: While the ’80s girl may have worn batwing jackets, tops and sweaters with skintight leggings and legwarmers below, the modern girl is better choosing a pretty patterned batwing garment (like these polka dots above) and pairing with a simple pencil skirt and stellar heels. Since you’re covering so much of your upper body and creating the allusion of more volume than you actually have, showing off some skin below balances your silhouette and prevents you from looking like an oversized mess!
BUY IT: ’80s Cobalt Blue Batwing Jacket/Top ($72.54) by Honeymoon Muse on Etsy

#10: The Old Hollywood Black Dress

The LBD was revolutionized in the ’80s vintage fashion toward “Old Hollywood” glam style. The difference between the LBD of eras before and that of the ’80s is how the 1980s focused styling from the chest up and along the dress’s neckline. Since the shoulder was officially an area of attention for the ’80s, sleeves were more prominent on black dresses as was a decorative neckline of more than just your average scoop line or sequin trim. The neck was where all attention centered — and it held a style stage all its own! The rest of the dress was typically cut straight to the floor (Old Hollywood) or had a very prominent slit for leg exposure. This was another example of how the ’80s did the ’40s, since Old Hollywood is a direct reference to the Golden Era of 1940s film and its many female celebrities who graced us with their glamorous fashion personas.

WORN TODAY: The ’80s LBD is the ultimate street stopper of dresses. You’re not so bold and bright that you feel like a circus freak, but heck yes  people going to give you a double look as you enter the party! I modeled an ’80s vintage fashion black dress from Olive’s Very Vintage last spring. The front slit was a delight, and such a different feel from the modern “side” slit used to draw direct attention the leg. But with this slit’s positioning, it’s key that a lady cross her legs when she sits! The sequined shoulders are perfect for those party photos too, since most shots enter around the neckline and up. That’s why the ’80s dress is truly the ultimate socialite stunner (eat your heart out, Gossip Girl!)

​BUY IT: ’80s Old Hollywood High Neck Black Dress ($80) by Wolf’s Mouth Vintage on Etsy / ’80s Old Hollywood Scoop Neck Black Dress ($44) by Luv Stoned Vintage on Etsy

MORE 1980s CLOTHING

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