Things People Actually Found Attractive in The '80s

by Jelena Aska for Glam.com

If one decade was rather unpredictable when it came to fashion, hair, and makeup trends, it was undoubtedly the ‘80s. From the emergence of a more punk-rock aesthetic to going all out with mixing colors and patterns, the ‘80s had no rules. “The ‘80s credo was more is more, which gave way to its extreme fashion trends that lacked restraint, subtlety and, oftentimes, taste,” stylist Elizabeth Kosich told BestLife. Moreover, the ‘80s were about fighting for more freedom, authenticity, and expression in nearly every aspect of daily life, and this is clearly visible in the time period’s fashion and beauty trends.

Trends circle back approximately every two decades, which means that a lot of ‘80s trends have inevitably become trendy again — first in the early 2000s and then again in the early 2020s. In fact, last year saw many ‘80s trends return to the fashion forefront, and while we adore some of the fun styles this decade gave us, there are some we hope to never see again (high side ponytail, we’re absolutely looking at you). Here are the defining trends of the ‘80s that were oh-so attractive at the time.

Shoulder pads were huge in the ‘80s, and they later became a symbol of feminism
Often, the first thing that comes to mind when people think of classic ‘80s fashion is shoulder pads. Having padding in any type of top was crucial at the time, a trend that was popularized by celebrities like Princess Diana and Annie Lennox. They’re pretty timeless, too, with fashion analyst Gina Rogers explaining to The Sun that shoulder pads are always ready to experience another revival. “Shoulder pads are always lingering in the background — it just takes a few fashion houses and celebrities to get the ball rolling, and “Bang”, we’re back in full ‘80s mode,” Rogers told the outlet. “I love the sense of power that shoulder pads give you. People step out of your way when they see you coming.”

And while many folks have a love-or-hate relationship with the bold aesthetic, we can’t deny that shoulder pads have played a big role in the feminist movement. This structured silhouette is traditionally a more masculine look, and as women popularized it, they clearly made a statement by dressing for themselves and not the male gaze. And as we all know it, feeling confident in your clothes can help you slay the day in so many ways.

Messy eyeshadow wasn’t accidental — it was in vogue
Stark eyeshadow was a staple of ‘80s makeup, but it seems as if everything was fair game — and the messier, the cooler. Some even rocked asymmetrical eyeshadow that wasn’t blended much, but that was just the look of the era — part of the norm. Oh, and let’s not forget that most ‘80s eyeshadow wasn’t in neutral shades — it was all about bright and bold colors like pinks, blues, and oranges.

Now, while we are by no means advocating for this trend to come back, we have to acknowledge that there was lots of freedom in embracing the messiness that can come with applying eyeshadow. Imagine getting ready for a night out, messing up your eyeshadow, and then, instead of having to start over, simply embracing the mistake. It was this colorful experimentation and all-things-go mindset that even opened the doors for cooler makeup looks to take hold for the future. It was a game-changing time for beauty looks that, in many ways, directly preceded the playful makeup looks on BeautyTok today.

Permed hair was an easy way to ‘wake up like that,’ but the hair damage was wild
When it comes to hair, the ‘80s were all about messy curls, which helped create that voluminous look that was incredibly popular at the time. Those who weren’t blessed with naturally curly hair would often opt for perms, a process in which the hair is wrapped around rollers and then saturated in a chemical perm solution. The result is permanent, hence the name “perm”. However, according to WebMD, perms can cause damage, especially if done frequently. This is one of the reasons the trend faded over the decades.

However, today, perms are done differently than back in the ‘80s, making them a much safer choice. “A modern perm is similar to a perm done years ago. The difference would be the cut and style of the hair to get an effortless wave like Sarah Jessica Parker or Jennifer Lopez,” hairstylist Shelley Saunders explained to Byrdie. “Whereas perms in the ‘80s were rolled on tight rods, crunchy, and resulted in a stiff, harsh appearance, the perms of today flow more naturally and appear softer,” hairstylist Michelle O’Connor added. Today, creating as much volume as possible is a revived ‘80s hair trend, just with a lot less damage to our locks.

Ultra-bright workout clothes were extremely popular
When it comes to workout fashion, the ‘80s were certainly a very peculiar decade. At the time, workout videos were popularized by icons like Jane Fonda, and these videos came with very specific fashion trends. In the ‘80s, women often worked out in colorful leotards over stockings with sweatbands, leg warmers, and pretty much anything else that could add more color to the ensemble. The more you managed to layer, the more stylish you were.

During this decade, working out was more than just getting your daily exercise in; it was a way of showcasing your eclectic sense of fashion, and worries about overheating seemed to be nonexistent. Moreover, it was in the ‘80s that athleisure emerged as a way of rocking workout clothes outside of just working out. Since then, athleisure has dramatically changed, and leotards haven’t had their major fashion comeback yet. Leg warmers, on the other hand, have had a resurgence, just not as athleisure. Instead, they have become a beloved way to add some warmth to your legs during colder months.

The more the merrier: maximalism had its peak in the ‘80s, and it never came back the same way
With its ultra-colorful and bold fashion trends, the ‘80s are unsurprisingly known as one of the most maximalist eras, at least when it comes to fashion. Between the decade’s voluminous hair, the colorful and edgy makeup, and the vibrant clothing pieces and bold silhouettes, this time period nourished an overall style movement that was all about adding more, even after you thought you already had enough on. One of the most famous fashion maximalists of the time was Cyndi Lauper, who often paired clashing patterns for an unexpected punk-rock aesthetic. She proved that fashion has no boundaries, always having a new way to surprise audiences with her look.

While maximalism has been a reemerging trend over the years, it has never reached its ‘80s peak. “I love the rebellious side of maximalism and the fact that there are absolutely no rules except wear whatever you want,” maximalist influencer Sara Camposarcone told Elle. Many people seem to feel the same way, so maybe we’ll see it reclaim its former glory in the future.

Feathers weren’t just for costumes — they were part of a casual Friday night ‘fit
One trend that epitomizes ‘80s campy fashion is feathers. However, unlike the boho interpretation of the trend (typically smaller feathers in neutral colors), feathers in the ‘80s were often colorful and large. Clothing often had feathers around its collar or sleeves, and the feathered scarf was a must.

Fashion shows at the time took it a step further by often showcasing full-on leather jackets, which were, as the decade demanded, very voluminous and puffy. This trend was also highly popular among the rich and famous, with avant-garde artists like Cher rocking it just as flawlessly as royals like Princess Diana. Eventually, the trend faded out, perhaps due to the difficulty of maintaining the shape and quality of feathered garments. What about today, you might ask? Well, while we still see a feathered ensemble every now and then, this trend has mostly stayed in the ‘80s outside of drag culture, where feathers reign supreme alongside rhinestones.

Teased hair and lots of hair spray were all the rage
Perming your hair gave you your curls, but if you wanted to be trendy in the ‘80s, you also had to tease your hair. At the time, volume was everything, and your hair needed to be big and dramatic. “Teasing hair is the technique of combing your hair in order to create volume at the root of our hair,” hairstylist Andrew Fitzsimons explained to InStyle (via Yahoo! Finance). Teasing your roots and adding plenty of hairspray was the norm, as the last thing you’d want is for your hairstyle to fall apart or lose volume throughout the day.

Today, we know that teasing isn’t the healthiest thing for your hair, as excessive teasing can cause hair breakage. However, there are ways to do it safely and carefully (as long as it’s not something you do every day). “To tease the hair, use a fine-tooth comb to carefully comb the hair down toward your scalp. [This] causes the hair to tangle in a way that creates a voluminous final look,” Fitzsimons added to InStyle. With this in mind, you can channel ‘80s glam while protecting your tresses.

The bigger the earring, the more stylish you were
In theme with everything else that ‘80s fashion was about, the most popular piece of jewelry at the time was undoubtedly the statement earring. And while you might think of the classic hoop or chandelier earring, we’re not talking about those. In the ‘80s, a statement earring meant it was probably touching your shoulders, and it often featured geometric designs, feathers, and, you guessed it, bold and bright colors. In this time period, earrings also became popularized in men’s fashion, becoming a more universal accessory.

Since then, statement earrings have remained popular, but their size nowadays is rarely as dramatic, and health-wise, that’s probably for the better. Big and heavy earrings can stretch your earlobe and cause pain, especially if worn consistently or for long periods of time. So, while we love an eye-catching piece of jewelry, the trend of rocking statement earrings each time you leave the house is something we hope stays in the ‘80s.

Bustier tops were the norm for a night out, whether worn on their own or over a top
The ‘80s allowed fashion to become more adventurous and experimental, and one of the trends that emerged out of that was rocking lingerie as actual clothing. In particular, bustier tops — famously popularized by Madonna — became a night-out staple for many. Some would opt to follow in the pop star’s footsteps by rocking the bustier top only, while others preferred wearing it over a long-sleeved shirt for an edgier and more unexpected look. Either way, bustier tops were one of the decade’s most controversial fashion trends.

Today, rocking lingerie as clothing isn’t nearly as shocking, and while the bustier trend isn’t as popular as it used to be, it’s still around. However, the bralette has seemingly taken over, as many tend to go for the more comfortable and breathable option between the two.

Wide-rimmed hats were a popular fashion choice, and not just among the royals
Even though edgy and fun fashion is what mostly comes to mind when you think of the ‘80s, some trends of the time actually promoted a more luxurious aesthetic. One of them was the wide-brimmed hat, which wasn’t reserved only for the royals. In fact, wide-rimmed hats were a popular choice for plenty of people, and the fact that they give extra protection from the sun and conceal bad hair days was just an added bonus.

Since trends are known to cycle every few decades, it’s not surprising that the wide-rimmed trend was actually a retro resurgence at the time, as it was incredibly popular in the ‘40s, too. “Within the last 300 years of fashion, you can see really clearly where certain decades line up with each other,” fashion historian Sarah Byrd explained to Business Insider. “In the ‘80s, there was a moment where people revisited the fashion of the ‘40s.” However, the ‘80s allowed the trend to evolve from a glamorous accessory to an accessory that works with many different styles while still providing a touch of elegance. For instance, Cyndi Lauper was a fan of the trend, with the hats she chose always adding an extra color or pattern to her look.

The ‘80s side ponytail is a trend we really don’t want to see again
We truly don’t have anything against hairstyles that include the word “side” — we love the resurgence of the side part and the side fringe — but we draw the line at the high side ponytail. The trend was a big part of hair trends in the ‘80s, and we truly hope it stays there. The messiness caused by the teased hair would make the ponytail extra voluminous and disheveled-looking and, frankly, it isn’t a style we can get behind. It simply looks messy, but it was attractive at the time thanks to the popularity of hair teasing.

Today’s ponytails are thankfully a lot more sleek and polished, not to mention placed much lower, which doesn’t draw attention away from the person wearing the pony. After all, the last thing anyone wants is to be overshadowed by their hairstyle, but it seems as if they didn’t care too much about that in the ‘80s.

In the ‘80s, being stylish meant wearing sequined everything
Sequined clothing was a major hit in the ‘80s, but don’t be fooled — this didn’t mean a couple of sequins here and there. The ‘80s called for extravagant fashion, and when it came to sequins, that meant not only an outfit covered in them but also ensuring the sequins were multicolored. In fact, a look sequined in just one color was a bit too bland for the ‘80s, even if that color was a bright and bold hue.

The sequin trend has come back since the ‘80s, most notably circa Y2K with trends like the sequined minidress (and like feathers, sequins are everywhere in drag costuming). Of course, since early-aughts style reemerged in the early 2020s, sequins came back into fashion once again. Today, sequin pieces are still very fun and stylish, but they’re styled much differently. Instead of being in bright, bold colors and paired with ultra-voluminous hair, we see them a lot more in gold and silver tones. Curious what we mean? Just do a search for outfits worn to Beyoncé’s Renaissance Tour, and you’ll see plenty of shimmery looks.

Acid wash was the most highly desired type of denim
Even though acid-wash jeans originated in the ‘60s thanks to California surfers, most associate the popular denim style with the ‘80s. Back then, it was the brand Rifle Jeans from Italy that was most well-known for the type of wash, though you can find these jeans being sold by countless brands now. While it was the punk-rock scene that helped elevate the trend (also known as stone-wash or bleached denim), eventually, every cool kid had not only a pair of acid-wash jeans but also other clothing in this style. For example, acid wash denim jackets and button-ups were very coveted items, too.

Today, acid-wash denim is still a cool and stylish look; however, rarely do we see someone rocking a Canadian tuxedo in an acid-wash style. Instead, today’s acid is a lot subtler and softer, almost never giving us that high contrast in tone that the ‘80s were so known for.

Neons were the nudes of the ‘80s, ensuring you can’t be missed once you leave the house
Everyone knows that color was a major part of the ‘80s aesthetic, but what was significantly more popular in that decade than any decade before was neon. In fact, in the ‘80s, neons were so popular that they were treated like neutrals, and different shades were combined for an ultra-vibrant head-to-toe look. A neon-colored tracksuit was a casual daily attire, while a neon miniskirt and top were perfect for a night out, not to mention that those who got their hands on a neon eyeshadow would ensure their makeup matches their ‘fit.

Since then, neon has come back some, most notably in late 2010s fashion. But just like most ‘80s trends that had a resurgence, it never came back quite in the same way, as modern neon fashion is all about sleek cuts and silhouettes and ensuring you’re not going overboard with the mixing of different neon colors.

See published article on Glam.com here.