The eighties were a decade of decadence, daring and re-invention, particularly in the fashion industry. The men fashion of the time featured powerful messages, outspoken designs and specific fashions that formed the basis of our numerous fashions nowadays. The 80s mens fashion market was indeed a revolution, as the rise of corporate power dressing came along with the popularity of casual clothing due to music and pop culture. This blog will address iconic trends of the 80s, what inspired them and how the 80s influence is still being felt in the modern and contemporary fashion world.
What is 80s Mens Fashion: The Rise of Power Suits?
The power suit was seen as one of the most popular elements of the 80s fashion as it relates to men. Corporate culture exploded in the 1980s as businessmen in sharp suits tried to project an image of success and power. This was the Wall Street age and characters such as Gordon Gekko of Wall Street had the slick tailored appearance of a business mogul. Power suits were also characterized by wide lapels, padded shoulders and bright colors which were supposed to instill fear. They were mostly thick wool mixtures or tweeds, and they suited being seen in the crowd.
The 80s power suit is not merely a suit worn by men, but it was a synonym of success and prosperity. Men needed to appear as members of the upper echelons of society, and in the costly materials, loose fits, and flash bling that constituted the outfit, this was demonstrated. The ties were broad and pronounced and shirts were frequently colored or patterned, so that they were even more noticeable.
The fashions of the 80s were affected by casual and Streetwear
Though business clothes were in full swing, streetwear and casual clothing were also popular in the 80s. The music and pop culture, as well as the popularity of hip-hop, punk, and skate culture, were the two most important factors in the trends. The sportswear and lifestyle fashions were introduced into the limelight by such sports celebrities as Michael Jordan and such music personalities as Run-D.M.C.
Through its association with the new hip-hop culture, the tracksuit, and the Adidas shell suit in particular, found its way into the wardrobes of 80s men fashion. Oversized jackets, baggy pants, sneakers in bright colors and out of nylon and polyester were in vogue. This was what gave rise to the casual wear trend as we know it today where style and comfort are one and the same thing.
The punk subculture also influenced the 80s Fashion men. It was the period when men stretched their limits in fashion by designing daring styles with the use of leather jackets, band T-shirts, and torn jeans. Punk fashion meant rebellion and standing out and used contrasting colors such as plaid and leather and matched with studs, spikes, and chains.
How Music Icons Influenced the Fashion of the 80s Men
The other hallmark of 80s men fashion was that it was related to music. Pop stars like Michael Jackson and Prince not only left an imprint on the music industry but they were also fashion pioneers. The red jacket that Michael Jackson wore in his Thriller music video was considered one of the hot fashion items of the decade. Tight jeans and leather jackets as part of a bad boy image were associated with rockers such as Bruce Springsteen and Billy Idol.
Prince demonstrated that a man could be outspoken in his fashion without being effete by dressing gaudily and flashily. His purple suits, frilled shirts, and high-heeled shoes became a symbol of his character and were much aped. These musicians showed that fashion was as much a part of the identity of a man as his music.
A History of Jeans in 80s Men Fashion
Denim played an important role in the fashion of men of the 80s, but the topic did not concern ordinary blue jeans. In the 80s the main shift of the kinds of jeans worn by men was towards more trendy cuts of jeans such as slim jeans and the now notorious acid-washed jeans. Lightly bleached acid-wash jeans were particularly trendy in the mid-80s and were a wardrobe staple in many men’s wardrobes. These were worn with loose shirts or leather jackets, with oversized belts and high-top sneakers.
The other fashion was the so-called double denim style, where men would wear a jacket that was made of denim fabric and a pair of jeans. It was ubiquitous as a music video, television show, and movie, and as one of the classic fashion trends of 1980s.
Men 80s Sportswear and Athleisure
Although the rise of sportswear in the 80s was wholly connected to the growing popularity of athletes, it also signified the onset of the trend of athleisure that persists to this day. Companies such as Nike and Reebok took advantage of this change by creating fashionable sports wear, but in a functional manner. Men were not merely wearing sports attire to the gym anymore but it became part of their daily wardrobe.
The wearing of tracksuits, joggers and basketball sneakers became widespread among men particularly those in sports or fitness. Performance apparel outside the athletics was a revolutionary idea and a predecessor of the athleisure trend that has become an epidemic in the 21st century.
Accessories and Hairstyles: One of the most important things about the 80s Mens Fashion
There would be no discussion of 80s men fashion without accessories and hairstyles. The men of the 80s could not be afraid to go big – with oversized fisherman-style sunglasses, oversized jewelry, and high-top sneakers. Another key accessory was watches and brands such as Casio were highly successful. Male wearers adopted big, very loud jewelry and gold chains, rings, and bracelets are also used to match their clothes.
Hairstyles were also bold with men having such trends as mullet, the flat-top and the pompadour. They became synonymous, and these haircuts were an aspect of the overall appearance of male fashion in the 80s. Men adopted big hair in this decade, regardless of whether they had long, short or long-short hair.
The 80s Long-lasting Legacy of Men Fashion
Old trends of the 80s men fashion still carry on in the trends to date. Most of the fashions of this period are cyclical and constantly re-visited and re-interpreted by designers and influencers themselves. The energetic and innovative spirit of the 80s has given a new wave of power suits, with new cuts and materials. Modern streetwear still consists of casual styles such as tracksuits and sneakers. The punk and rock trends still penetrate the fashion taste of the younger generation.
FAQ,s
What did men wear in the 80s?
However, most importantly the power suits, acid-washed jeans, leather jackets, tracksuits and oversized t-shirts were also essential fashions that men wore during the 80s. Other accessories that were included in the list were huge jewelry and big sunglasses.
What impact did music have on the fashion of 80s men?
The 80s Mens Fashion was greatly affected by such icons of music as Michael Jackson, Prince, and the popularization of hip-hop culture. Trends are established by these stars through their stylish and distinct clothing that inspires leather jackets or glitzy colored accessories.
What did the power suit mean to men in the 80s?
The power suit was considered a symbol of success and ambition in the 1980s. With broad lapels, padded day shoulders, and crisp tailoring, it became an expression of business authority, particularly in the business culture.
Is there any 80s fashion that is re-emerging?
Yes, nearly all fashion trends of the 80s have come back like oversized blazers, tracksuits and even acid-wash jeans. These styles have been redefined by modern fashion and have merged vintage and modern fashion.
What was the punk effect on the 80s male fashion?
The punk power granted the male population of the 80s an anti-establishment advantage and leather jackets, band t-shirts, ripped jeans and accessories covered in studs became part of this style.
Conclusion
The 80s mens fashion was the most experimental era in fashion history when all the rules were broken and personal style became king. The 1980s generation redefined everything people knew about dressing well; it was either the power suits of Wall Street or the track suits of the rather casual hip-hop generation. Most of these trends were unique to the decade, although they still affect the fashion of men today. It may be the audacity of the power suit or the relaxed attitude of the tracksuit, but the ethos of 80s men fashion is still not dead in contemporary wardrobes.