Fashion Fads in the 1980s
Fashion fads in the 1980s were influenced by Madonna, the bull market of the day and smooth television characters like the stars of "Miami Vice." Fashion trends ran the gamut from "haute coutour glamour to street smart punk," according to the book, "The 1980s." Color was bold, and hairstyles and shoulder pads were big. A few distinctive fads caught hold and became must-haves of the 1980s. Does this Spark an idea?
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Accessories
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Girls and women wore leg warmers slouching under flouncy skirts or bundled over jeans. Lace gloves, sometimes fingerless, were often worn only one at at time. Large metallic earrings and thick scrunchies finished the look for women. Colorful Swatch watches -- inexpensive, water-resistant and sporty -- were worn by men and women.
On Top
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More than any other fashion fad, shoulder pads defined the 1980s. They appeared in women's business suits and party-goers' leather jackets. Oversized and off-the-shoulder tops were often worn over spandex pants with slouchy boots. Members Only brand jackets, meanwhile, were ubiquitous for men. They were lightweight, waist-length jackets that prominently displayed the label.
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On Bottom
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Acid-washed blue jeans were the denims of choice in the '80s. Skirts as well as pants came in the unevenly faded hue. Spandex arrived on the fashion scene and stretch pants, especially stretchy stirrup pants, were worn with big tops or leg warmers -- or both. Parachute silk pants became a trend first for men and then for both men and women. They were colorful, lightweight and tapered at the ankle, and like leggings, they came from the dance world.
Shoes and Boots
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Jellies -- plastic shoes in pale blue or pink often worn by children -- became trendy for women in the '80s. They were worn with spandex pants or miniskirts and sometimes with socks that had a beaded cuff. Granny boots, laced up the front, had a short heel and were worn with the cuff of the boot folded down over the ankle. Some granny boots had inlays of lace in the leather.
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