Colors and Trends of 1984

Trends:

Idea of Power Dressing: With women obtaining bigger roles in the workplace, the need to look professional arose. Tailored suits and jackets started appearing. One of the major trends in blouses and suit jackets were shoulder pads. To still show their femininity, women included belts and much fitted waistlines to offset the wideness of the shoulders. The look was often seen as masculine, so to soften the look women often incorporated a tie, a bow tie or even a floppy scarf.

Longer Proportions: The idea for fall in 1984 was “long and lean.” Jackets and cardigans were made to be longer in proportion to the actual waistline. Coats also became longer leading to the trench coat look that was so popular in this year. Hemlines varied from the “long and lean” look to shorter skirts. However, longer tops and blouses were paired with the shorter skirts to maintain this long proportion.

Pants: According to the 1984 May issue of Vogue, in style pants were ones that were fuller and rounder at the top. The height of the pants was higher to accentuate the natural waistline to contrast the widening of the shoulder in the silhouette. While pants were becoming a day-time staple, they also became a popular “out on the town” ensemble.

Shorter Hemlines in Fall Fashion Shows: In their 1984 fall fashion shows Jean-Paul Gaultier and Stephen Sprouse showed off a daring hemline – the mini. In Sprouse’s show the short skirts and dresses were six inches above the knee or more. The trends started by these designers were mainly for the younger crowd rather than their elders. Along with Gaultier and Sprouse, Georgio Armani also bared a lot of leg in his 1984 fall fashion show. The swingy, short skirts reflected the upward climbing of the once depressed economy. If mini skirts were going to be a success in the forecasting for 1985 and 1986, the economy must be good. An economist, Alison Lurie, said that if the economy is good, people feel freer and happier.

Japanese Influences: Major Japanese designers such as Issey Miyake and Rei Kawakubo influenced American designers a lot throughout 1984. Even today, the Japanese fashion industry impacts the international trade of fashion.

Handbags: The quilted Chanel handbag with a chain was the most popular bag in the 80’s. Any bag like this with the Chanel logo was desired by women everywhere. Another popular handbag trend was matching the purse to the shoes with an array of different colors.


Accessories: Long pearl necklaces and rosaries became the key accessories for young girls every where when Madonna started to wear them as jewelry in 1984. From then on, Madonna has had a key impact on many fashion trends and styles. For the rest of the population, jewelry was big also. Gold jewelry, including necklaces and earrings, were very popular; the bigger the better. In the evening, women usually paired luxurious-looking glove with their ensemble. If gloves were not worn, an armful of bracelets was put on.

Colors:

Black and Other Neutrals: Black was a popular color in the workplace because of the seriousness and powerful perception it gives off. With women becoming more prominent in the workplace, black and other neutrals were used a lot more often. Black has always been a staple in the wardrobe. Yet, in 1984, it seemed to come alive in all the designers’ shows. For nighttime, black was often paired with bright colors or metallic accents to make it pop.

Fall’s Palette of Neutrals: The May 1984 issue of Vogue forecasted the many different neutrals that were to be used in the fall designs or that year. The palette ranged from creamy beiges to darker browns. Ivory and different whites were also proposed to be big. Colors like grey and navy were going to be present but not as big as the previous colors.

Day-Glo/Neon Colors: Along with the new prominence in the workplace, women gained more confidence. Thus, when designers started to splash neon colors onto the runway, women were definitely ready for it. The neon trend was more popular in the younger generations. These Day-Glo colors, such as furious fuchsia and lightening yellow were adopted by Jean-Paul Gaultier and others.

Primary Colors: Colors such as red, blue, and yellow were extremely popular in the earlier 80’s. When 1984 rolled around, these colors were kind of mutated to become brighter and more like the neon colors discussed before. “Real red” was used a lot in evening wear. Red has the property of appearing nearer than it actually is; thus, it is the first color we see. Red is the color worn by women who want to get noticed and have bold confidence, which describes the new women of the 80’s.

Rich/Deep Colors: Colors such as deep bottle green, cranberry red, and wine were extremely popular as accents for fall 1984. These colors perfectly accented the palette of neutrals discussed before. These colors were also prominent in evening wear worn by women. These colors look luxurious and wealthy, which is what women desired.

Forecasts for Future Seasons:

• Women’s wear to become more overtly feminine rather than the power suits.
• “Long and lean” proportion also was seen to be heading out.
• Walking shorts were predicted to be huge.
• Full-length trousers to be cropped a little shorter.
• Small, almost midriff, tops in sweater-like knits.
• White was predicted to become an “it” color using brighter colors as accents.
• Intricate, computer-like patterns on fabrics were inspired by the circuit board of all the new computers coming out.
• Patent was forecasted to be huge.
  

References:

Cocks, Jay. “The New Bad Boys of Fashion.” Time. 29 October 1984.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,926905,00.html

Duffy, Martha. “It’s That Old Short Story Again.” Time. 22 October 1984.
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,951376-2,00.html

Fukai, Akiko. Fashion in Colors. New York : Assouline, 2004.

Mangum, Aja. <http://nymag.com/shopping/features/41814/>

Thompson, Paulene Weston. <http://www.fashion-era.com/power_dressing.htm>

Vogue. May 1984, November 1984, and December 1984 issues.

Wright, Anglea. <http://www.colour-affects.co.uk/psyprop.html>