The 80s were the time of bold fashion choices and experimentation. In the case of boys, this was the time of the memorable styles that not only shaped the styles of that decade but also those of the generations to come. Including colorful t-shirts, to graphic tees, 80s fashion boys knew how to cause a scene. We will take a closer look at the iconic trends and styles that were applicable to define their wardrobe.
Bold Colors and Statement Pieces
In the 1980s, boys embraced a fashionable mixture of loud colors. Neon green, bright yellow and hot pink were all in. These colors were a change from the more subdued colors of the past decades.
Graphic tees also became a massive element of this appearance. Fashion was an expression of self because boys wore shirts with bright patterns and slogans and pop culture.
Denim: A Classic Style
The other clothing trend of 80s boys was denim. Almost every person wore a denim jacket and jeans. Stone-wash appearance became particularly popular and brought a casual touch to the outfit.
The period also saw the rise of acid-wash jeans which made denim more rebellious. All the boys who lived in the 80s wore such jeans with loose tees or a jacket to be able to finish the outfit.
Athletic-Inspired Fashion
The strength of sport-fashion clothes could not be denied in the 80s. Boys were attracted to the types of clothes that were inspired by sports like tracksuits and sneakers. Such brands as Nike and Adidas were the leading ones.
The tracksuit was a symbol of no-fuss sporty style. Combined with a pair of high-top sneakers, this was the greatest 80s fashion in favor of boys who liked comfort and fashion.
The Preppy Style: Polo shirts and Khakis.
Conversely, the 80s are also the years when the preppy style emerged. This was characterized by polo shirts, khakis and boat shoes. It was more refined and elegant and provided a clean cut to the more laid-back trends of the era.
The popularity of such brands as Ralph Lauren and Lacoste arose especially among boys in need of a more sophisticated appearance. Its style was characterized by pastel colors and custom fittings.
Rock and Roll Influence: Leather and Bandanas.
Rock and roll fashion was used to direct the rebellious spirit of the 80s. Boys who got influenced by the songs of the day wore leather jackets, bandanas and torn jeans. These clothes were related to a spirit of rebellion and liberation.
The leather jacket, especially, was a statement piece. Coupled together with band tees and studded accessories, it made boys look like rock stars, which was both cool and up-to-date.
Footwear: Sneakers and High-Tops
The 80s footwear consisted of comfort and style. High-top sneakers became a way of the decade. Nike, Adidas, and Converse were some of the performance and fashion brands that boys longed to put on.
These sneakers were not merely sporting shoes, but they also became a section and part of street dressing. Their usefulness had them become an 80s boy favourite as they could match up with the times and be fashionable.
Accessories: Hats, Chains, and Sunglasses
Besides clothes, accessories were also very important in 80s fashion among boys. Baseball caps, fedoras, and bucket hats were often worn. These accessories were the extravagance of outfits.
Another very popular accessory was gold chains. A lot of boys wore heavy and bulky chains to display their fashion. Sunglasses, especially the oversized or colored version were also a must-have in the 80s.
The Effect of Pop Culture Icons.
There was a massive impact of pop culture icons on the 80s fashion. Boys idolized such personalities as Michael Jackson and Prince and even the television characters such as Don Johnson in Miami Vice. These heroes were fashions, which boys closely imitated.
Leather jackets and gloves worn by Michael Jackson became the things that were associated with him. His style, and others, had one generation of boys who wanted to follow the example of their favorite stars.
The Rise of Hip-Hop Fashion
Hip-hop, together with rock, was also very influential in determining the 80s fashion boys. The fashion industry was presented with baggy pants, oversized jackets, and baseball caps by hip-hop artists. It was a totally different appearance that replaced urban fashion.
There were such brands as Adidas which became popular in the hip-hop culture. The hip-hop fashion became extremely popular in the 80s and became the standard outfit of the typical boy with a tracksuit, iconic and sneakers on his feet.
The Casual Look: Jeans and T-Shirts
The casual jeans and t-shirt appearance was one of the most memorable and popular appearances of the 80s. Boys would put on their favorite graphic tees with their favorite pair of jeans. This fashionable yet non-complicated garment was ideal for nearly all events.
The casual appearance also entailed denim jackets and plaid shirts. Its use of these things left a relaxed feel that boys of any socio-economic standing could pick up with ease.
Rebellious Fashion: The Punk Influence
The 80s were also influenced by punk fashion. Punk rock-inspired boys used to wear torn denim, band tees and leather jackets. Punk aesthetic was rebellious and non-conformist and it connected with a lot of boys.
The boys who embraced this punkish image had accessories like safety pins, studs and spikes. The 80s boy fashion was individual and unique through the punk movement.
The Played-out Role of Movies and TV Shows.
The boy fashion of the 80s was so massive because of films and television programs. Popular films like The Breakfast Club and Fast Times at Ridgemont High presented characters who created an impression on the dressing style of boys. They were nonconformist or alien characters who were fashion heroes.
The TV shows, Miami Vice, also shape boys and it is largely due to their pastel suits and their informal and neat appearance. These allusions to pop culture helped entrench the concept of 80s fashion as a trend but more than a trend; a lifestyle.
The Legacy of 80s Fashion Boys
The 80s boy fashion was distinctive due to boldness, variety, and creativity. The sporty tracksuits to the preppy polo shirts were all that characterized this era was characterized by a style approach. A combination of various influences, rock, hip-hop, preppy and casual style, has given the appearance that was really unique.
In streetwear and high fashion today, we can still trace the effects of the 80s fashion. This is an era that designers and brands are still inspired by, making it clear that 80s boy fashion never goes out of style.
How to Incorporate 80s Fashion into Modern Wardrobes
And should you want to give your wardrobe a bit of the 80s, this has become as easy as it can be. Start with the search for graphics tees, oversized jackets, and high top sneakers. It lies on the foundations of the 80s fashion, which can be incorporated into modern outfits, and it is not a problematic process.
The second method of pairing vintage with something more modern is by wearing them with skinny jeans or sneakers and this will make the outfit balanced. Accessories that will complete the 80s-inspired style, like gold chains or sunglasses, must not be left out.
FAQ’s
What was the most stereotypical of 80s boy style?
The best dressing among the boy style in the 80s was the combination of graphic tees, jeans with denim and high-top sneakers. The appearance of these staples was part of the casual and street wear, and therefore, it could not be ignored in the 80s fashion.
What was the effect of pop culture on 80s boy-style fashion?
The fashion in the 80s was dictated by such pop culture figures as Michael Jackson, Prince, and TV icons like Don Johnson. Boys adopted their ways of dressing, be they from the leather jackets to informal suits, that will have a lasting impact on the fashion industry.
Can 80s fashion be worn today?
Yes! Fashion of the 80s is returning to contemporary street fashion. There are vivid colors in clothes, graphic T-shirts, high-top sneakers, and oversized jackets, all of which are being adopted by the current fashionable people.
What are some of the main accessories of the 80s Fashion Boys?
Baseball caps, gold chains, and oversized sunglasses are some of the main accessories of 80s boy fashion. These works would give any outfit of the time flair and personality.
Conclusion
The 80s Fashion Boys were bold and did not fear the daring use of colors, unstructured clothes and a distinctive accessory. Their fashion styles were full of vitality (neon shirts, leather jackets, etc). Much of this is still carried on today in the contemporary fashion and it is a testament to the fact that the 80s were not just a fad but a culture that left an indelible mark on fashion in the world.