1984 Styles

• In 1984 designer Katherine Hamnett came out with t-shirts with political slogans on them which were very popular among the youth culture because they were getting more involved in political issues.




• The 80’s brought a health and fitness craze in America that inspired new work out clothes. Aerobics and dance-themed movies and shows made body hugging styles that were easy to move in popular and were made out of Lycra, elastic, latex and spandex, all new textiles created in the 60's.




• Women wore ripped sweatshirts baring one shoulder.




• Punk was still very prevalent in the 80’s as well. There was somewhat of a rebellion against fashion, young people didn’t want to be told what to wear, they wanted to develop they’re own style.




• Brand names started to become really important and soon Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, and Donna Karan were household names.
  “Nothing comes between me and my Calvin's.”




• Singers like Michael Jackson and Madonna influenced fashion during the 80’s too, popularizing matching red and black leather jackets and pants with one white glove, or bras as outerwear. Before athletic shoes were just worn as casual wear, but they became a high priced fashion item during the 80’s. Air Jordans basketball shoes made their debut in 1984.




• Roller skates also became popular in the 1980’s, it might have something to do with the film Rollerboogie being released. The colors blue and yellow were very popular for roller skates in 1984.




• Leggings, legwarmers, headbands became popular among teens. People wore they’re collars popped with the top few buttons undone, it looked uptight or stuffy if they wore their collars folded outside a business environment.




• Shoulder pads became popular when people started “power dressing,” women dressing for equality in the work environment, wide tops and slim pants were the look.

I love 1984: Fashion. BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/home/d/ (9/29/08)

English, Bonnie A Cultural History of Fashion in the 20th century: From the Catwalk to the Sidewalk. Berg Publishers 2007

Mulvagh, Jane Vogue History of 20th Century Fashion. Published by the Penguin Group 1988

Blackman, Cally 100 Years of Fashion Illustration. Laurence King Publishing 2007