Eighties fashion,what to wear!

[enigma]

I've been invited to an Eighties themed party and I have a bit of an idea of what to wear but I am not sure what to do with my hair or what to suggest for my hubby to wear. We were only kids in the Eighties really so I am not sure what the men wore. I don't want to mess about with my hair getting some dodgy perm but I don't want to just tie it to the side in a ponytail either. So what would you wear and how would you do your hair? What was YOUR fashion sense like in the Eighties? Did you have a particular style? All I remember is wearing horrible polka dot outfits with big belts, cheap, gaudy plastic jewellery and prancing about pretending that I was Madonna. Late Eighties I was in my early teens and I had a few dodgy perms, huge hair and wore neon socks (odd colours of course) ,ra-ra skirts etc and listened to all the Stock, Aitken and Waterman bile. (Remember The Hitman And Her?!!) So what was your fashion Faux Pas? Hands up all those who wore shell suits!!!

[neo.]

New Romantic flairy shirt sleeves

[chicklin]

I was just going to say big hair, but you've already said that!

lots of gel...from what I remember, too.

I can remember wearing jumpsuits - all in one things that were a nightmare to get out of quick when you needed a wee! ...I also remember wearing a lot of flowing skirts and wench tops.....those were my favourites cos I'm a gypsy at heart! :0)

[daffy654]

I remember the men wearing farah trousers with white socks and black slip on shoes when I used to go clubbing in the mid to late 80's.The clubs in Leicester started to ban the white socks so most blokes used to wear a pair of black over the white ones and take them off once inside the club.lol. You could try backcombing your hair into the madonna style of the 'Like A Virgin' video and tying some black lace in a bow around it.

[babybop6379]

My Mum got me all manner of wonderful skirts e.g bright blue RaRa skirts and polka dotted puffballs too URGH YUCK! but at the time I thought i looked the bees knees! I too sported a dodgy perm from the age of 12 to 16 yrs big hair was brill I must of gone through tons of hair spray!

[enigma]

All great ideas, thank you. Where do I buy men's clothes like that now though? I have seen a lot of the Eighties fashion coming back into the shops (or for women at least) but I may not have noticed the men's fashion because I wasn't entirely sure what they wore then. I am going shopping later, so I will have a look.

Ooh I remember that from my teens too Babybop. I can still smell my school's PE changing rooms with the overpowering smell of dozens of cans of hair spray and cheap perfume! I used to spray my hair until it was rock solid and I remember that the girls at my school were quite particular about calling it hairspray, as opposed to hair lacquer, which is what their mum's called it and that was soooooooooooooo uncool!

[babybop6379]

nice talk about reminising! a good place you could look is in the charity shops too for the mens stuff good luck let us know how you got on with it x

[Louisa 69]

http://www.i80s.com/80s_fads/fads1.html

Hi enigma have a look at this site for some good ideas.

[Bewlay Bros.]

Farah, as mentioned, was a very odd phenomena. They overtook Staypress trousers (also 80's) which were basically drainpipes and then came Farah which were almost flares.

As well as white socks, we had "Loom" socks which were luminous.

Also instead of laces there were blocks, which were thick bands of ribbons instead of the conventional lace.

Jumbo cords

Frankie says "RELAX" T shirts.

Tank tops

Cricket jumpers over the shoulders with the sleeves tied in front.

Wayfarer sunglasses (i.e Don Johnson)

Suit jackets with the sleeves rolled up

David Bowie "Lets Dance" T'shirt

I can't believe I have answered a question on fashion!!!

[Louisa 69]

Funnily enough i never had a shell suit, but i did have one of those jump suit kind of things, it was an all in one. It was black and i used to wear it with red shoes a big red belt and red plastic jewellery. I also remember donkey jackets and tukka boots which you wore with your leg warmers :))

[neo.]

I nearly mentioned the Lumi socks...i used to have a rather fetching lumi green pair

[enigma]

Wow, there are some fantastic ideas here, so thank you everyone. Thanks for the link Louisa, I will definitely check that out.

I love the idea of the Frankie Says Relax top for my husband because that was an iconic part of the 80s but where will I get one? Wayfarer sunglasses - I nearly forgot about them. The best has to be Timmy Mallet's ridiculous specs though. Ooh I also like the idea of the Don Johnson Miami Vice look. |My husband could look very suave!

Talking of jumpsuits Louisa, I remember my aunt bought me an all in one jumpsuit/sleepsuit. It was red and had the number one across the middle and I remember thinking that it was like a big giant babygro! I was thirteen and so embarrasse but it was the cosiest pyjamas I ever owned and I would love to get the same type now.

Lumi socks hee hee. Did you mismatch them or wear them as a pair though?

[Bewlay Bros.]

Ebay has loads of Frankie says RELAX t'shirts.

[Metz]

http://www.asos.com/Amplified/Amplified-Franki e-Say-Relax-T-Shirt/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1 66694

[Bewlay Bros.]

I posted this idea on another thread . It is for both male and fenale really.

Mr. T !!!!!!!.

From any fancy dress shop or ebay buy some black face paint (brown really)

A stick on beard. Get a swimming cap and use the face paint to colour it so it blends in with your brown face. Put a black furry mohican hair do on it and angled beard.

Loads of gold bling (buy very cheap garden chain from Homebase will do as well). Feathers as earings if possible.

A boiler suit and monkey boots with a big weight liftting belt

You will win first prize, trust me. And it won't be that expensive!!!

[EngTeach]

OMG Louisa I had a black all in one jumpsuit too. I wore it with pink shoes and a big pink belt with pink plastic necklace and earrings. EEEWWWW!! Even worse my best friend had the same one and wore it with white accessories AND we would wear tham at the same time.

How horrible.

[neo.]

"Hey Fool"

[babybop6379]

Just recapping and thinking more my cousin and I both same age same size used to go out with matching lurex green (hers) and luminous pink (mine) mini skirts. We used to have hair bands in a very high very tightly pulled back ponytail one on top of the other as many as you could get in the most brightest colours imaginable! I am sitting here cringing! the other one was great big clunky shoes with smiley faces on the front or grolsh bottle caps were all the rage worn with ripped jeans (Bros stylee!). or trainers with great big tongues hanging out but laces definately tucked in and not tied up! You got absolutely slated otherwise! lol

[FamousBrands]

Power suits, leg warmers, padded shoulder skirts, and spandex or lycra tights were the most popular women's clothing items of the 80s. It was one of the most popular items of clothing for men.

[womens_clothing1]

The 1980s were all about bold, bright, and statement-making fashion. Here are some iconic fashion pieces that you can wear for an 80s-inspired look:
Shoulder pads: Whether you're wearing a suit jacket, blazer, or a dress, add some drama and power to your outfit with shoulder pads.


High-waisted pants: Opt for high-waisted pants in bright colors or bold prints, paired with a tucked-in blouse or graphic t-shirt.


Acid wash denim: Light-washed or tie-dyed denim was a staple of 80s fashion. Look for denim jackets, jeans, and skirts in acid wash or vintage-inspired styles.


Neon: From bright pink to highlighter yellow, neon was everywhere in the 80s. Add some neon accessories, like a belt or bracelet, to your outfit for an instant pop of color.


Oversized blazers: Big, boxy blazers with strong shoulders were a common part of 80s power dressing. Try pairing an oversized blazer with skinny jeans and heels for a modern twist.


Leg warmers: Accessorize your workout wear with leg warmers that come in different colors and prints.


Remember, the 80s were all about making a statement, so don't be afraid to go bold with your fashion choices!