Mens Fashion 1980 - 1989

A Look at Men's Fashion in the 80s

Say what you will about 1970s men’s fashion; it certainly had its own unique look and feel, and will forever be remembered for that. The same can be said for 1980s, an era in which fashion was heavily influenced by pop culture. Indeed, musicians, actors and other celebrities helped pave the way for men’s fashion throughout the ‘80s; for better, or for worse depending upon how you view the style of this decade. Trends in the ‘80s were quick to appear and disappear, with no particular look lasting in the limelight for more than a few years. While many people have mixed-feelings about 1980s fashion, it’s important to take a look back at the decade in order to get a better idea as to how fashion has evolved over the years to where it is now. The following elements of style helped to characterize the 80s, some of which you may even be able to refer back to when throwing together your next outfit.

New Romantic
In the early ‘80s, a trend referred to by many as New Romantic began to emerge. Rising out of the New Wave movement that found a great deal of popularity in Britain (and America, by association), this look was influenced quite heavily by the Punk movement of the late ‘70s. Spiked hair, studded leather jackets and even eyeliner were commonly employed by men who embraced the “fringe” lifestyle during this period of time, and were especially prominent in American cities such as New York and Los Angeles. To the surprise of many who denounce this style as being “anti-fashion,” the New Romantic look would never have existed without the help of a few prominent designers, including Vivienne Westwood and Colin Swift.

The “Miami Vice” Look
As the ‘80s continued to roll along, New Romantic and similar styles began to fade away, being replaced in large part by what many people refer to as the Miami Vice look. Miami Vice was a popular television series at the time, in which characters wore a very specific style of clothing that quickly took the American nightlife scene by storm. T-shirts were often worn underneath pastel-colored suit jackets. Metallic shades of grey, silk trousers and even “designer stubble” (a few days without shaving) all helped to typify this style, which many people relate back to the fast-paced party lifestyle that invaded America in the mid-to-late ‘80s. Al Pacino’s character in Scarface embodies this look fully, as well as the excess that characterized this era in time.

Neckwear (1980 – 1989)
Men's Neckwear in the 80s came in every shape and form. Carrying over from the disco fashion of the 70s, the early 1980s saw wide men’s ties with bold prints and motifs. At the same time the skinny tie that was first introduced in the late 1950s saw a rebirth and the bands like the Blues Brothers made the ultra skinny black leather tie unforgettable. While the Blues Brothers typically wore the black leather tie with a black slim fit suit, black fedora, and black sunglasses, the 80s also commonly paired the skinny leather tie with boldly patterned shirts (such as paisleys and multi-colored stripes).

Takeaways for the Modern Man
Today’s fashion-forward men often look back and wonder how they ever got through the ‘80s wearing what they did. That said, the decade wasn’t a complete and total waste in terms of fashion and style. The t-shirt and suit jacket combination that was such a large part of the Miami Vice look, for example, can still be utilized today with a few modifications. Go with a well-fitted, solid-colored t-shirt underneath a single-breasted blazer (also well-tailored), which can look fantastic when paired with dark-washed designer jeans.

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