In 80s clothing fashion designing, the early 1980s produced three discernible fashion trends. In the US,
fashion designers excelled in the creation of classic day wear and sporty leisure clothes;
in Europe, glamorous fairytale strapless evening wear dresses vied with other
escapist modes drawing on
ethnic, rustic and retro styles; and in Paris, Japanese fashion designers began to show
80s fashion clothing styles collections which
concentrated on layering and wrapping the body in loose, unstructured clothing.
In the 1980s fashion trends, It became chic to signal one's wealth by wearing high cost designer
clothes and accessories like large belt buckles and buttons. The demand for fashion designer
menswear increased and top fashion designers began to add menswear to their
80s fashion clothing styles collections for male fashion.
For women during the 1980s, the big shouldered power suit became a symbol
as a statement of authority. By 1980 London had once again become the
centre of the club scene and youth style, with feisty contemporary fashion designers creating
fashions blurring the boundaries between club culture,
street fashion designing and designer fashion. In 1981 famous fashion designers showed
80s clothing fashion collections
consisting of asymmetrical T shirts, pirate shirts, breeches and baggy, and flat heeled
The early to mid 1980s haute couture clients still numbered no more than few
thousand women worldwide were purchasing expensive couture garments on haute couture
fashion clothing styles sales. However, couture collections continue to be designed, staged and
publicized which sells not only the 1980s clothes themselves but also, highly lucrative licensed goods.
Other 80s fashion trends were that some fashion designer teamed zipped silicone bustiers with
inflatable, polyurethane coated polyester jersey pants; seaweed inspired tunics and
unevenly pleated synthetic combined with metallic yarn; Padded nylon trousers were
shown in 1984 and natural fabrics has developed unusual weaves and fibre combinations
such as the double woven silk and Shetland wools, over vests in 1980s fashion collection.
Some 1980s clothing fashion designs encase the body and restrict movement, and in other hand were
flowing elegant cocktail dresses, organic
garments which combine practicality, comfort and fashionable. In mid 1980s Famous fashion designers
feature classic designs, menswear, 1980s fashion for work and work wear which were dominated by three shades of matt black
color and indigo garments, belts coat dresses, cut big and square with no recognizable line,
form or silhouette. Many were cut dis symmetrically, with misplaced lapels, buttons and
sleeves, mis shapen cowl necklines and mis matched fabrics. More calculated disarray was
created by knotting, tearing and slashing fabrics, which were crinkled, creased and woven in
unusual textures for dinner casual dress wear.
The other area fashion designing of 1980s were 80s fancy dress, winter knits in soft pastels,
tweed and printed skirts,
and for summer season delicate camisoles in sheers and silk, blouses that tie at the neck, fitted cropped
women blazer jackets and skirt suits, sexy fancy dress, womens suit separates and womens casual wear dresses.
Wear with lace stockings, pearls, brooches and sultry make up. 1980s fashion designing mixed with
denim for a casual modern look. whether in the form of a burnt amber or pastel peach, orange has
appeared on the catwalks around the globe adding zest to both winter and summer palettes. It can
be seen in satin dresses worn alone or accessorized with glossy black for an edgier look.
Green has come and gone in many forms but is back and bigger than ever. Tones range from spruce
through to teal and are less military in mood than previous years. Green is evident in jade
elegant cocktail dresses, lime dinner dress wear separates and delicate retro turquoise pieces.
Look out for simple designs in womens casual wear dresses, elegant designer dresses, formal
womens suit separates and slimmer knits.
Mix with either dramatic winter hues of purple or softer natural beige tones for summer season. If in doubt
combine a classy tangerine or rust with glossy black or denim.
Look out for formal womens separates suit, belts coat dresses, jersey knit casual dinner dress wear, elegant dresses and s
eparates that complement the lines of the body with feminine
but elegant finishes. Mesh and other stretch fabrics are often used in simple draped wrap tops to
wear under women jackets for winter or against sun kissed skin for summer season. Wear with high laced sandals
for the authentic touch of dinner casual dress wear.
In 1980s fashion elegant clothes feature asymmetrical hemlines, collars and pockets,
lapels that flow to form shawls, and unusually placed darts, fashion clothes designs with glossy black leather,
classic tailoring and full skirted evening gowns, giving fashion a new look.
In 1980s women fashion, a famous designer designed body moulding, conical bra dresses, belts dresses
and bondage styles. He also combined masculine tailored suits with ultra glamorous corsets
and bra tops to create a powerful yet sexy look. Another fashion designer created body conscious
cocktail party dresses and suits in matt black stretch Lycra and leather, with provocative seaming and an
inventive use of zips. In mids 1980s fashion shirred, pleated and draped cocktail party dresses in bold
prints were showy and sensual, while broad shouldered garments, including leather greatcoats
inspired by military uniform, made a more aggressively powerful statement. Lead player in the
1980s clothes with fashion collections featured meticulous tailoring, including variations on famous
smoking tuxedo suits.
Top fashion designers make ready to wear, elegant clothes for affluent clientele for both 1980s men
and women, loosely tailored, roomy blazer jackets which achieved their soft, relaxed shapes by
dispensing as much as possible with interfacings and linings, Armani draped jacket had
wide shoulders and long lapels that fastened at or just below the waist with a single button.
1980s designer fashion brought highly tuned appreciation of fine textiles, textured wools
and mixtures of contrasting yarns and persuaded 1980s men out of the unrelenting charcoal grey,
black and blue of city mens business suits into softer brown and beige, chic but casual wear dresses designs. in the
mid 1980s the fashion trend shared by both sexes were mens and womens linen suits separates, day wear designs,
which included, throughout the 1980s, and the executive type womens and mens business suits in supple glove leathers
and lightweight wools.
In early 1980s Versace established a reputation for overtly sexy, glitzy strapless evening wear dresses
which appealed to socialites and actresses. Versace fascination by technology using
aluminium mesh made to his specifications which he draped close to the body's contours
in glistening strapless evening gowns.
1980s fashion for work and working women power dressing were the
big shouldered blazer women jackets often double breasted and though trousers gradually
became more acceptable wear in the workplace, the skirted suit and womens separates suit
remained the safest option. American fashion designers were justifiably proud of their skill in making
appropriate fashion clothes designs for the ever increasing number of women working outside the home.
References:
“20th century Fashion”, written by Valerie Mendes and Amy De La Haye; 1999 Thames & Hudson Ltd, London.
Lucire Magazine, August 2004 issue
1980s Fashion Trends in Mens Pants
The fashion trends in mens pants have changed with every decade that has gone by. In the 1950s, blue jeans were the mens pants that were must
haves. The 1960s witnessed mens pants that were plaid, paisley, and everything in between. Mens pants in the 1970s were bell bottoms and disco
duds. During the 1980s, mens pants followed suit with stars like Don Johnson and Michael Jackson. The 1990s saw trends that were more open to
interpretation as far as mens pants were concerned. These days, almost anything goes. Mens pants in the 1970s also included power suits which
people used to display their wealth. Brand names with womens clothing and with mens pants began to become really important during the 1980s,
making names like Guess, Gitano, and Calvin Klein household names. Mens pants with business attire saw the fashion of pinstripes return. Mens
pants with pinstripes were narrower than in the 1930s and 1940s. Mens pants in the khaki style also have become almost as common as blue jeans.
Mens pants in the khaki style come in many variations, cuts, and versions. During the 1980s, khaki mens pants were associated with the preppy look,
and often were worn with oxford shirts, loafers, and sweaters tied around the shoulders. Parachute mens pants also hit the fashion floor in the
1980s. At first, parachute mens pants were characterized by using nylon and very baggy cuts of mens pants. In the 1970s, the loose fitting, zippered
style of mens pants, the word parachute refers to the synthetic nylon material that was used. It was during the 1980s, though, that the word parachute
really refered to the extreme bagginess of the mens pants. Parachute mens pants were associated with an increase in the popularity of breakdancing.
The mens pants that were slim jeans were a pair of pants that were made of a cheap, silver looking material. Slim jeans were marketed as helping
people to lose weight by having the person lose water weight through sweating. In addition to these mens pants were hooded sweatshirts that could
be bought that were made from the same silver like material. Another fashion trend that was popular for womens and mens pants in the 1980s were
tight rolled pants. People would tight roll the bottoms of their pants by taking up the slack around the ankle and folding it over and rolling it. The extra
material was gathered in front of the shin, and properly rolled mens pants have an extreme taper and be very tight.
