The worst fashion trends of the ‘80s

There is no denying the power that the ’80s currently have over fashion. Here are (arguably) some of the worst trends to come out of the decade.

Thirty odd years ago, in an era of conservative politics and questionable style choices, ’80s fashion was born. Style became synonymous with making a statement – from backcombed hair and bright lips to wearing underwear as outerwear (leotard, anyone?).

Here’s a look back at some of the most popular (and offensive) trends from the 1980s and the celebs we have to blame for them.

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SHOULDER PADS AND PUFFY SLEEVES

In an era where huge hairdos and broad shoulders were life goals, most ordinary folk needed a little help to achieve the wide-shouldered look. Enter the shoulder pads.

It wasn’t hard to spot some shoulder pads poppin’ in blazers, dresses and anything else they could squeeze them into.

Big hair, big shoulder pads … Sarah Jessica Parker looking like an ’80s dream (circa 1980). Picture: Getty

Thanks to the stars of hit shows at the time – think Dallas and Dynasty – women associated power dressing with beefy shoulders.

The look has enjoyed a resurgence on modern catwalks lately, but today's shoulder pads and puffed sleeves are (thankfully) a little slimmer than their 80s counterparts.

The cast of 1980s soap Dynasty set the scene for a decade of superfluous shoulders.

RAH-RAH SKIRTS

Rah-rah skirts, or a short flounced layered skirts, shone bright in the ’80s. These skirts were created to mimic those worn by cheerleaders and other women who participated in sporting events. Layers could be flat or in a puffed-out tutu style.

Kylie Minogue and her back up dancers rocking their rah-rah skirts in her 1987 hit ‘Locomotion’.

POWER PRINTS

The ’80s were wild, and loud colours and patterns reigned supreme. Turns out Baby Boomers loved playing with bold statement prints and arty abstract shapes. And not just the ladies, the men loved playing with colour too. Popular shows at the time like Full House perpetuated the trend.

Full House cast in 1989. Picture: ABC via Getty Images

Elton John backstage with Andrew Ridgeley and George Michael of Wham! in London, 1986. Picture: Getty

In this 1985 photo, pop star Madonna embraced the trend. Picture: AP/Barry Sweet

And as with all things, the cyclic nature of trends means this one is well on its way back in (but often played down with neutrals).

HAREM PANTS

Sure, MC Hammer made these look ultra-comfortable to dance in, but a crotch that sagged all the way to your shins is probably not the way to go anymore.

Parachute pants may very well be the one piece of clothing that sums up the ridiculousness of ’80s fashion fads. But, at the time, they were the perfect thing to wear to the skating rink, and they were worn equally by guys and girls.

LEG WARMERS

In a time when athleisure wasn’t a thing and people didn’t try to wear their gym gear everywhere but in the gym, the 1980s fitspo squad were hell bent on looks trendy while breaking a sweat.

A standard Jazzercise class of 1983 would be packed with ladies in full makeup, leotards that could not have been comfortable and matching leg warmers (which served zero purpose). And just to be clear, not everyone could pull them off like Jennifer Beals, but films like Flashdance and Fame cemented the trend and boy did everyone try.

American actress Jane Fonda during a workout session, circa 1985. Picture: Paul Popper/Popperfoto/Getty Images.

LYCRA LEOTARDS

We’ve touched on the importance of looking sexy in the gym. And what’s sexier than hot pink spandex leotards? But can we all address the elephant in the room, please? Why were leotards worn over tights? Olivia Newton-John, please explain. We get it, the point was to work it while working out. But who wants to be a hot, chafing mess in a leotard after a heavy cardio session? No thanks.

Fitness was a fashion statement in the 1980s.

VOLUMINOUS HAIR

If the ’80s had a hair mantra, it would be “big hair, don’t care”. And that goes for guys and girls. Women took pride in teasing and perming their hair to new heights – the bigger the better!

Hair was predominantly big and wild, full-volume was the look that everyone wanted, and extreme curls or waves were a great way to get it. No matter whether women wore their hair up or down, it was big and undoubtedly full of hairspray.

And the guys loved a mullet. Any Eighties man surely sported this classic “business in the front, party in the back” style. Long and messy down the neck, but clean cut upfront, the mullet paired perfectly with a thin moustache

Actors and singing sisters Kylie (left) and Dannii Minogue performing on stage in the 1980s. Picture: Supplied

While singer Cher was constantly changing up her looks, she totally embraced a fiercely full ‘do every now and then. Picture: Supplied.

Some guys were so keen on the look, they tried to keep rocking it into the ’90s (we’re looking at you Billy Ray Cyrus).

HEAD-TO-TOE NEON

Every other thing that was cool was even more awesome because you could see it from a mile away. Even when ’80s retro became a thing, it was because fluorescent day-glo colours were involved. Believe it or not, fluorescence was a sign of good taste. Wearing it from head to toe was common, mixing colours without shame. The most important thing was to be seen (from space, obviously).

No such thing as too much neon. Picture: iStock

WEDDING DRESSES DID THE MOST

For Eighties brides, it was all about extravagance and excess. For most people who imagine an ’80s wedding gown, only one word comes to mind: floof. You can already picture what that means, right? Poofy sleeves, endless tulle skirts, veils that add at least three inches to the average height … you get the point.

Cindy Crawford, 1980's Bridal Fashion #1980s #bride #Vintage #VintageBridal #CindyCrawford #1980sBride #CatsMeowDoll pic.twitter.com/Qg3gz1JDt4

— Andrea (@CatsMeowDoll) October 5, 2017

1980s big shoulder pads and ruffles were the rage for women's clothing.

Sylvester Stallone and Brigitte Nielsen on their wedding day at the home of producer Irwin Winkler in Beverly Hills on December 15, 1985. pic.twitter.com/hvnRNs8XGV

— Bushman (@MrBushman1) May 2, 2019

And the most iconic dress of the decade had to be Princess Diana’s. When she wed Prince Charles in 1981, the world held its breath while dying to see what her gown would look like. And it didn’t disappoint. The dress took three months to complete, tricked out with a dramatic, lace-trimmed, 25-foot-long train. Fit for a princess!

Afterwards, the Princess donated her dress to the nation, as it later went on permanent display in the Victoria and Albert Museum. Picture: AP

Princess Diana’s record-breakingly long train on her designer dress was a tight fit inside the glass coach which transported her to her wedding. Picture: AFP.