Icons of the 80s
Rediscover the top 10 trends from the 80s that should make a comeback!
Image: Cottonbro Studio
The 1980s were marked by ambition, progress, and reinvention. It was a decade that vibrated with the chimes of the New York Stock Exchange, the rise of cable TV, and the sound of personal computer keyboards. Fashion, of course, was not far behind: leg warmers, shoulder pads, and big hair were all the rage. In this article, we are covering ten years in which technological advances, finance, and pop culture reigned supreme in America. Ready for a flashback?
1
Bright colors
Image: Yaritza
In the 80s, neon was absolutely everywhere, and let’s be honest, it was very hard to miss. Found in clothes, accessories, makeup, signs, and posters, blindingly bright colors became a new style statement. From hot pink to acid green, neon yellow to electric blue, this color palette could be found in pop culture, on the streets, and everywhere in between.
2
Bold fashion
Image: cottonbro studio
There's only one word to describe 80s fashion: bold . B old hair, bold accessories, bold colors, bold everything! Fashion during this decade was strongly influenced by pop music and new rock subgenres such as New Wave. For the first time, different styles began to mix, combining formal garments with rebellious accents —like pairing suits with sneakers, mind you. Whether it was shoulder pads, multicolored leg warmers, or those striking Miami Vice suits, fashion in the 80s was all about vibrancy and an aura of success.
3
Big hair, strong makeup
Image: Gustavo Cerati, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
In the 80s, crazy cuts and dramatic makeup became an everyday thing, a way of expressing one’s personality and style everywhere you went. From musicians like Madonna to leading ladies like Demi Moore or Julia Roberts, the stars led the way with their perms, pumped-up hair volume, tanned faces, and bright eyeshadows.
But let's not forget the guys! They also introduced the iconic mullet, popularized by celebrities like Rod Stewart, tennis player Andre Agassi, and Patrick Swayze, just to name a few.
4
Rise of yuppie culture
Image: MART PRODUCTION
In a nutshell, Yuppie culture was characterized by slicked-back hair, V-neck sweaters, and a condescending attitude. The term yuppie , an acronym for "young urban professional," emerged in 1980 in an article in Chicago magazine. It described a young person in their 20s or 30s who was part of the middle to upper class, a socioeconomic group that became the forefront of the decade.
From the beginning, this label sparked divided opinions: For some, it represented ambition and success; for others, it symbolized superficiality, an excessive materialism, and an apparent superiority complex. Accurate or not, the trend eventually faded away after the 1987 Wall Street Crash.
5
Toys on TV
Image: cottonbro studio
The 1980s were marked by spending Saturday mornings watching ads on cartoon commercial breaks. How did this happen? From this decade onwards, companies were finally allowed to market directly to kids. The result was hundreds of all kinds of toy ads. They advertised everything from creative games like the Rubik's Cube or Lego to cute and cuddly toys like Care Bears and My Little Pony. This era also saw the beginnings of the must-have toy trend, with Cabbage Patch dolls leading the pack.
6
Music on the go
Image: cottonbro studio
During the 80s, it was common to see people walking down the street with a Walkman on their hips or a boombox to their ears. Although the boombox gained popularity in the 70s, it became mainstream in the 80s thanks to hip-hop and breakdancing culture. Yet, the Walkman would soon steal its thunder. This revolutionary new audio player allowed people to bring their music with them anywhere without bothering everyone around. And that’s also how mixtapes became a thing!
7
Personal computers
Image: Tomas Martinez
The 80s were a prominent decade for electronics development. In 1981, IBM introduced its first personal computer, and everyday life and work would never be the same again. More affordable computers were created thanks to the introduction of powerful, smaller, and cheaper processors, reaching a wider audience and creating greater demand. Models such as the IBM PC, the Commodore 64, and the Apple Macintosh became household names, paving the way for the era of domestic computing.
8
Rise of video games
Image: cottonbro studio
Thanks to technological advances in graphics and gameplay over the decade, video games finally became undeniably popular. With the rise of arcade machines and home consoles, a series of iconic games managed to capture the attention of a wider audience, igniting a cultural phenomenon that would influence music, film, and television. Titles such as Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, Space Invaders, Pac-Man, and Donkey Kong became classics that defined an era.
9
Cable TV goes mainstream
Image: Coline Haslé
When cable TV hit the mainstream, it not only gave the big three American networks a run for their money, but it also allowed the world access to specialized shows that better suited their tastes. Whether your interest was sports, comedy, or music, cable had something for everyone.
CNN and HBO definitely changed television forever, but it was perhaps MTV that left the most indelible mark by offering greater insight into contemporary bands and musicians via live performances and music videos.
10
Fitness fever
Image: Ron Lach
The 1980s were the golden age of fitness, a trend that reflected society's growing interest in health and wellness. Exercise routines were not just a workout, but a cultural phenomenon that turned our living rooms into mini gyms.
Major clothing brands began designing exercise-specific apparel and accessories, such as leotards, crop tops, and headbands. Celebrities also capitalized on the fitness craze. Jane Fonda, for example, became a massive hit in 1982 with her iconic workout videos, some of the best-selling VHS of all time.
