1980s Outfits for Girls
The 1980s was a time of exuberant excess displayed everywhere from music videos and films to the working woman's exaggerated shoulders. A girl has a myriad of options to choose from when she is looking to put together an outfit from the "more is more" decade. Inspiration can be found from the era's pop stars, movies and television shows.
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Madonna
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Madonna was one of the most prominent style setters of the 1980s. Women and girls dressed like her in droves in order to gain a sense of her confidence and sex appeal. Any girl who wants to dress like Madonna from the 1980s should pick up a few key items to put the look together. Madonna layered on jewelry extensively. She wore inexpensive costume pieces like long crucifix necklaces and dozens of thin rubber or studded bracelets. She often wore footless tights or leggings underneath a mesh, tutu skirt and topped it off with a bustier-corseted piece of lingerie. If the bustier is too risque for girls, a simple black tank top will also do.
Flashdance
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"Flashdance" is one of the biggest grossing movies of the 1980s and its star, Jennifer Beals, ushered in a dance gear fashion trend. In the film, one of her iconic looks is very simple to create. A gray, fleece lined crew neck sweatshirt with the neck cut off and stretched is the key piece. Further style the sweatshirt by cropping it and cutting off the bottom band. Roll up the sleeves and allow its stretched neck to expose one of your shoulders. In the film, Jennifer was not wearing pants, but a girl can wear the shirt with a pair of stirrup leggings (also big in the 1980s) to complete the look. Add Chuck Taylor shoes and big, slightly frizzy hair to channel the famous film.
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1980s Prep
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The "preppy" look took the 1980s by storm and was the opposite of Madonna's black, lace and leather style. Preppies, as they were called, wore pastel short-sleeved polo shirts with the collar popped up. If you have one of these, your look is halfway finished. Pair the polo with a white tennis skirt and tennis shoes or put it atop white jeans or khakis. Penny loafer shoes were worn by both girls and boys. To see examples of preppy styles, watch the film "Pretty in Pink" starring Molly Ringwald.
More 1980s Fashion Trends
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There are many looks and pieces to choose from over the 10 year history of the 1980s. For a girl who just wanted to have fun, neon colors were put together in an outfit that did not "match," but rather aimed to stand out in a crowd. Neon accessories, tights and tutu skirts were worn by teenage girls going to concerts and parties. Lace tights were also popular with spandex skirts. Leg warmers in bright colors were worn to the gym during the aerobics craze started in the 1980s. Put on a pair of tights under a leotard, throw on some leg warmers and old school 1980s sneakers and you will be exemplifying the decade. If it is chilly outside, throw on a stone washed denim jacket.
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