The 80s were a very daring and audacious decade in the history of fashion because men adopted all kinds of styles which were as vibrant as the decade itself. The 80s were a decade of excess, innovation and rebellion. The decade transformed the way men wore clothes, starting with the flashy business attire of the corporate sector to the kid-like cool of sportswear and street wear. The 80s fashion men are the symbol of masculinity, individuality, and creativity, so it is called one of the most powerful eras in fashion history. This article will guide you through the fashion trends that defined 1980s men fashion and how the trends continue to influence fashion in the present day.
Power Suits in 80s Fashion for Men
The power suit came to symbolize one of the defining fashion statements of the 80s. With the world economy booming and corporate America turning into a symbol of success, the power suit became a symbol of power, money, and business. The suit, with big lapels, broad shoulders, and sharp and deep lines, was to help the wearer appear larger-than-life. This was a period when men desired to appear tough and that was what their clothing did.
The power suit became the type of clothing associated with businessmen, lawyers, and politicians; however, it found its way into pop culture. In movies such as Wall Street, the character of Michael Douglas appearing as Gordon Gekko was the archetype and prototype of an ambitious businessman, dressed in a perfectly fitted suit to represent power and wealth. The power suit was also a symbol of corporate success and easy luxury with programs such as Miami Vice (starring Don Johnson) featuring the power suit often with pastel colors, skinny ties, and a loose shirt. By the 90s fashion men, however, the power suit evolved into a more relaxed style with looser fits and darker tones, reflecting a shift towards minimalism and casual sophistication.
To the common 80s fashion men, the power suit was a means to access the concept of success and success was everything about standing out. The suit was usually matched with shiny shoes, a vivid tie, and a white neat shirt. Men were wearing bright colors, pinstripes and plaids, which contributed to the overall drama and boldness of the appearance. The power suit of the 80s was not only a uniform but also a status of dominance in a world where everyone holds an edge.
Informal, But Not Shy: Sportswear Cracker
Just as power suits used to characterize the corporate world of the 80s, sportswear has developed as its counterpart to casual, everyday wear. The idea of athleisure emerged in the 1980s, a combination of sporty and casual attire, paired with street style, that anyone could put on. Tracksuits, especially those of such well-known brands as Nike, Adidas, and Puma, were everywhere. They could be very brightly colored, and neon greens and pinks, or oranges, and these tracksuits were usually worn with sporty sneakers.
The sneaker culture also came into prominence in the 80s. Sports brands started to create sneakers not only to be used by athletes, but also by every common person, and soon they were used as a symbol of status. Sneakers became an important thing in the 80s whether you wear it with jeans or shorts even in business. The idea of casual, yet fashionable clothes became viral, and in a few years, people began to wear tracksuits and sneakers not only to the gym but also to go to a local mall, proving to be a 3-decade-long phenomenon.
Casual t-shirts and sweatsuits with big graphics or logos also came into vogue in the 80s along with tracksuits. No longer were popular brands such as Nike and Reebok exclusive to sportsmen, but a mode of expression. Athletes like Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson have turned into cultural icons and their sneakers and sports team uniforms have become fashionable possessions. Street clothes were about to become a key fashion when hip-hop artists like Run DMC were wearing Adidas tracksuits, and the fashion was beginning to exit the streets and enter popular culture.
How Punk and Rock Impacted 80s Fashion Men
In the case of punk rock fashion, it impacted the fashion of the 80s in an indelible way. The punk culture that came up in the late 1970s was brought into the 1980s and revolutionized the old-fashioned patterns. The dressing of bands such as The Clash, The Sex Pistols and The Ramones also affected men. The punk image was one with rebelliousness and anti-establishment spirit and this was translated to their fashion.
The canonical clothing of the punk style included leather jackets, torn jeans, band T-shirts and accessories that were covered with studs. Bold hairstyles, spiky hair, and colored hair were also introduced to the punk movement and were not mainstream. When men wore punk fashion they made a statement: they did not want to be guided by the rules; they wanted to be DIY and often changed their wardrobe to make it more personalized.
Glam rock was also popular in the 80s rock scene and celebrities such as David Bowie, Prince and Motley Crue inspired the fashion among men. Such musicians adopted androgynous flamboyant appearance which fused glamour and masculinity in a manner never encountered before. The bright suits, glittering makeup, and infamous hairstyles of Bowie as his character Ziggy Stardust were one of these things. When Prince put on his tailored suits and heels, he was pushing the limits of gendered fashion to create a sensational and flirtatious appearance.
Likewise, glam metal groups such as Motley Crue had a style of dress that consisted of overly using leather, chains, and loud accessories. Their fashion icons were very theatrical and fashion was an extension of their rock ‘n’ roll characters.
Fashion Hairstyles and Accessories in the 80s for Men
We cannot mention 80s fashion men without mentioning the daring hairstyles that became characteristic of the period. The 80s were a decade of volume, fullness and experimentation. The style that is characterized as business in front, party in the back is the iconic style of the era, the mullet. Such celebrity stars as Billy Ray Cyrus, Patrick Swayze, and David Bowie popularized the use of mullets.
Besides the mullet, men had big, voluminous and textured hair. The people who popularized the big hair trend were the rock stars and pop idols, and they did not take too long to spread to common people. The appearance was attained through mousse, hairspray, and much time taken to put hair into shape. To a lot of men, it was all about being bold and being different.
Men, too could enjoy the accessories which mattered in the 80s. Men wore sunglasses everywhere, mostly aviator-style sunglasses. Other brands like Ray-Ban made aviators an accessory that people have to wear in order to look cool and edgy. Watches, necklaces, and bracelets also entered the spotlight, and men would stack the pieces on top of their outfits to provide the outfit with extra flair.
The Revival of 80s Fashion Men: The Revival of Bold
The 1980s fashion trends have continued to have a significant impact on the style of men today. In streetwear and high fashion as well, the 80s are reflected in the latest collections. Oversized silhouettes, bright colors, and exuberant designs of the eighties have been reinterpreted by many designers to fit the modern-day man. Once viewed as the emblem of corporate success, the power suit has been rediscovered in recent years, although in a new look with more slim fits and new fabric options.
The emergence of vintage shops and thrift stores has contributed to the revival of the 80s style, as well. There are retro tracksuits, oversized blazers, graphic tees, and so on. In essence, the 80s dress code and the associated attitude has become an inevitable part of street dressing today, with men in neon clothes, loose jackets and t-shirts and garish jewelry.
FAQ,s
What were the fashionable things that men wore most of all in the 80s?
The 80s were full of power suits, graphic t-shirts, leather jackets and tracksuits. Other accompaniments were aviator sunglasses, huge watches and heavy chains.
Who were the 80s fashion style icons for men?
Other style icons such as Michael Jackson, Prince, David Bowie, and Don Johnson were some of the most influential in 80s fashion men. They led the fashion of the male population with their daring, original appearance.
What did men wear in the 80s that involved hair?
An essential component of the 80s fashion was hair. Huge, overblown hair, mullets, and textured hairstyles were fashionable trends of the time. These hairstyles used to be a continuation of personal style and creativity.
How has punk rock influenced the 80s male fashion?
Punk rock created anti establishment clothing like torn clothes, leather jackets, band t-shirts and spiked hair. Punk fashion was provocative, dirty and intimate.
Why is 80s fashion coming back?
80s fashion is returning because of its expressive and daring side. The bright colors, exaggerated shapes, and self-confident attitude of the decade attract the present generations who are discovering self-identity and self-expression.
Conclusion
The 1980s had been a decade of radicalism and radical fashion choices among men. The styles of the time, such as power suits and punk rock, contributed to the development of the way men dress nowadays. The eighties style is currently being re-invented in the revival of the retro sportswear, the re-occurrence of the super-baggy fit, or the reappearance of the space-age accessories. The history of 80s fashion men has not completely died yet and it continues to motivate fashion designers and fashion enthusiasts all over the world. The 1980s will forever be known in the fashion industry as a decade of individualism, creativity and unrestricted individuality.