What did people wear in the 80's?

[russian33]

So I've been invited to a party, with an 80's theme...and I emigrated to US in 1991, so have no clue what to wear..planning a trip to a local Salvation Army store, but no idea what the hell to buy...any suggestions? :silly:

[azmouse]

1. Big shoulder pads, big hair, tight pants

Think ugly. Really, really ugly clothes.

[MissMillie]

4. I remember big balloon pants in the early 80s

and members only jackets

aligator shirts

[azmouse]

11. Oh gawd. I forgot about the pleated pants.

Like I said, ugly clothes.

Do you remember asymmetric hair?

[MissMillie]

13. sure do

"New Wave" hair


yikes

[russian33]

5. looool

ok, so i'll have to drink a lot at this party then

[quip]

2. Buy 2 pastel polo shirts and where them at the same time

Crazy, I know, but that's what they did! I, however, have NEVER deviated from T-shirts and Levi's.

Oh, and buy some earth shoes, too. :rofl:

[Deep13]

3. Acid-washed jeans, pastel shirts, narrow ties.

You can substitute Dockers for the jeans. One year, jeans of demin and canvass were popular. Rent some movies from that time and see.

[russian33]

7. oh yeah, acid-washed jeans were just becoming popular in Russia...

...when we were leaving in 1991..

[Rambis]

6. Jean jacket, penny loafers no sox and white t-shirt

you will cultivate the john couger (mellenhead) look or just go with a members only coat on and there you go-

[LynneSin]

8. Really Really Really Really big shoulder pads

:D

[russian33]

9. gotta see if my cousin still has his high school football uniform

:) :)

[MrScorpio]

10. Save your dignity and go for the Miami Vice look

You can pull it off and not come out of it looking like a putz

[russian33]

17. oh, snappy

yeah, CT in February, in that suit...i might make the Hartford Courant :rofl:

[trogdor]

29. Be sure to hit the tanning salon.

[LynzM]

40. Hi neighbor!

Didn't know you were in CT, too :) Enjoy the party!

[russian33]

44. yes I am, since day 1 in US

First in Hartford, then Wethersfield, now Rocky Hill...in between did a stint in Springfield, Mass while in college, and a few years living in NYC :)
thanks..i will :)

[Guava Jelly]

21. I had one of those jackets

[meegbear]

12. Neon clothes ...

[Deep13]

16. I think that was '84 or '85 when everything was neon.

It was right after parachute pants became passe.

[NMDemDist2]

14. 80s was all about disco

think Staying Alive and Donna Summer songs

think slinky, big hair and Glam

fitted suit for men

slinky dress for women

[quip]

18. ????

Don't you mean 70s? The eighties brought on New Wave, Punk, and other heavy stuff in reaction AGAINST disco.

Just saying. :hi:

[NMDemDist2]

28. ok ok both of those decades are a haze to me

I liked to party hearty in those decades

:rofl:

[Deep13]

19. That was the mid to late '70s.

By 1980, punk began its decline and New Wave was big by '82. Disco was uncool until at least 1989.

[driver8]

34. Uhm...wrong decade.

The seventies were about disco!

I graduated from high school in 1981 and college in 1985...believe me, disco was long gone by then.

[One_Life_To_Give]

15. Tight Designer Jeans

After you put them on jump in the shower. Then dry the jeans with a hair dryer. Should leave nothing to the imagination.

[supernova]

20. Izods and jackets must be worn collar up

for that special 80s look. :rofl:

For the ladies, we had add-a-bead necklaces, just a plain gold chain of your choice and whatever beads you like, typically in this pattern:

little bead+BIG bead+little bead (places that sell beads for home jewelry making would have them now)

REALLY BIG HAIR sticking about 6" away from your head. A full can of AuquaNet or mousse would not be too much.

Black with neon accents (pink or green) is very 80s.

Hee, have fun. :D

[russian33]

23. i might (or might not) have to share with my DU friends...

..the result of all this wonderful advice :)

[flvegan]

22. Parachute pants!!

[Iggo]

24. 80s-themed costume party quick reference.

For the men: Duran Duran.

For the women: The Go-Go's.

They're almost the same, except Duran Duran wore more make-up.

[DS1]

25. JAMS!

if it's warm enough

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jams

[Z_I_Peevey]

37. And for shoes, Jellies!

[MorningGlow]

26. Well, it depended on what "type" you were

A guy in the '80s was either a punk, New Waver, preppy, or metalhead (or geek, but geek fashion--high-water pants, button-down shirts, and pocket protectors--is timeless). So....

Punk: ripped clothes held together with safety pins; usually white t-shirt and jeans (blue or black)

New Wave: TIGHT black stovepipe pants/jeans with pointy boots, rayon shirt buttoned all the way up with the collar turned up, BIIIIG suitjacket with the sleeves rolled up, and if you were really cool, a fedora or porkpie hat

Prep: acid-washed jeans, sneakers with the laces untied or topsider loafers with no socks, polo shirt with the collar turned up--oh yeah, and Polo cologne

Metalhead: acid-washed jeans or pants with straps tied around the leg, muscle tank (neon colors preferred), leather bracelets, and HUGE teased and permed hair

:hi:

[Deep13]

30. non-clique:

Jeans or corduroys, no particular style. Pocket T-shirt. Flannel shirt. Work boots. At least that's how it was in Leicester, MA.

[trogdor]

31. Think "Poison"

As in, "Look What The Cat Dragged In." Twisted Sister, Cindrella, Motley Crue, Quiet Riot, etc.

[LanternWaste]

27. Speaking from experience...

Member's Only Jacket. Acid washed jeans. Nike canvas shoes. A peach-colored Izod shirt.

The above was an unofficial school uniform circa 1983.

[Fire Walk With Me]

32. Simply do your best to approach the appearance of a male peacock in both clothing and hair

and you'll be set.

[KitchenWitch]

33. Leg warmers

[WritingIsMyReligion]

35. Crap.

:evilgrin:

[Richard Steele]

36. Things with unnecessarily large numbers of zippers really say "80s"....

Parachute pants:




The "beat it" jackets, popularized by Michael Jackson
before everyone started getting creeped out by him:




A loose-fitting single-breasted suit over a pastel t-shirt
captures the "Miami vice" look that was popular for about
6 weeks there:

[1gobluedem]

38. Day glo, stonewashed jeans, and high top Reeboks

Remember to tuck your jeans INTO the Reeboks for maximum effect.

[LibDemAlways]

39. Big hair. Sleeveless t-shirt. Tight pants. You'll be fine.

[jmowreader]

41. Uhhh...folks...Russian33's a guy

I don't think the teased-hair thing is gonna work.

[russian33]

45. loooooool

you know, i'm glad i opened the forum here, and asked...i'v been getting the most entertaining suggestions :)

[johnnie]

42. A few swatches

Two or three swatches should do the trick

[dolo amber]

43. Try this

http://www.inthe80s.com/clothes/index.shtml