The eighties were the decade of men’s fashion. The 80s Male Fashion consisted of big and oversized bodies, bright colors, and outspoken fashion. The style that was invented in the 80s, be it the onset of power suits, or the simple street wear, or the leather jackets, is not forgotten. The paper will address the trends that were seen in shaping the male fashion in the 80s and how it impacted the current fashion.
The Rise of Power Suits in the 80s Male Fashion
Power suits became an identity associated with success in the 80s male fashion. Characteristics of the appearance included crisp tailoring, wide padding of shoulders, and loud fabrics. The businesspeople and entertainment men adopted this formal and structured appearance, signifying power and strength.
The bright shirts and ties combined with power suits were in keeping with the energy of the decade. The suits were soon an icon of the corporate boom and a fashion necessity to any man who wished to look successful.
The Influence of Shoulder Pads
The shoulder pad was one of the most recognizable aspects of the 80s male fashion. These were modeled to produce a powerful, exaggerated figure. They fitted the pads in suit jackets, blazers, and even casual shirts to make the shoulders look tall and broad.
This was perceived as an exaggerated use of shoulders depicting power, which was a reflection of the boom in the business during the decade. The angular appearance was assertive and gave a sense of dominance and power, and lots of men adopted the bold style both at work and in personal life.
Casual Streetwear Takes Over
The suits were also linked to the business world as the casual street clothes became the primary dress of the streets and the youth culture. The trend of wearing oversized sweat clothes, graphic tees, and sporting thematic clothes began in the 80s when men started wearing them. This informal fashion was influenced so much by the hip-hop culture and athletes like Michael Jordan.
The attributes of the 80s streetwear were colorful logos and high intensity of colors. These brands became popular, such as Nike, Adidas, Puma and their famous tracksuits and sneakers became the center of attention. The trend of baggy pants, bucket hats and loose jackets was also created by hip-hop.
Denim: The Fabric of the Decade
Denim became one of the pillars of 80s male fashion. Denim jackets, acid-washed jeans, all over. Especially, the acid-wash trend became a century-long trend. Men also adopted distressed denim due to its coolness and ruggedness.
Another fashion that most men enjoyed was the use of double denim. It might have been a denim jacket and jeans, or a complete denim outfit, but this fashionable style came to be representative of the 80s fashion style. Denim was a versatile item, and hence it became a wardrobe item that cuts across informal and semi-formal environments.
Leather Jackets: A Cool Statement
Another symbolic male ’80s wear was leather jackets. Ridden by rebels, rock stars and action movie heroes, the leather jacket was the sign of coolness and rebellion. It was a statement item that fit well with the coarse, rebellious ethos of the 1970s.
Wardrobe, especially, was a prerequisite, which involved the black leather jacket. It was noted in both the biker and bomber style, which offers a flexible though sharp appearance. The jacket was a leather jacket that was worn with a pair of jeans or a T-shirt; it was full of the attitude and swagger that was defined by the 80s style.
The Preppy Look: Clean and Classic
Although the eighties were associated with overindulgence, the preppy style of the 80s added a touch of class and sophistication to men’s wardrobes. This trend was inspired by the Ivy League and comprised of polo shirts, khakis and custom blazers. It was the appearance of the wealthy and young generation, representing clean lines and refined looks.
Such brands as Ralph Lauren and Lacoste were leaders in the preppy movement. Their polo shirts, argyle sweaters, and loafers were equivalent to preppy fashion, which was all about being smart and presentable but easily cool.
The Importance of Accessories
In the 80s, accessories were important in male fashion. Outfits were also added with watches, belts, and jewelry, which added personality and flair to them. Big gold chains and huge watches were especially the order of the day as a symbol of wealth and prosperity.
Another typical accessory was sunglasses, particularly aviators. These reflective cool colors ended up being iconic of the 80s appearance. Sunglasses paired with a leather jacket or paired with a power suit made the complete outfit and assisted men in adopting the larger-than-life attitude of the time.
Hair Styles: Big and Bold
Just like the 1980s fashion, the hairstyles were also as bold. Men adopted a stylish, textured and thick hair line that was usually coated with hairspray to give it height and volume. The mullet, the short-haired look with longer hair at the back, became the signature of the decade.
Perms were also popular among those who were not into the mullet. The puffy hairstyle was associated with the 80s man because it was all about the decade being obsessed with extravagance and excess. Straight or curly, the hair of the 80s was to be conspicuous and noticeable.
Sneakers: A New Era of Footwear
The sneakers came in the 1980s as a wardrobe of men. Sneakers were no longer considered exclusive to athletes but began to be worn as a fashion. Such brand names as Nike, Reebok and Adidas launched iconic products like Air Jordan or the Reebok Pump, which became synonymous with cool.
This was the period when sneaker culture was bred, and men amassed various styles and colors. Casual attire, such as jeans or tracksuits, was worn together with sneakers, indicating the change towards a more comfortable and relaxed style. It is this trend that has preconditioned the sneaker culture that exists today.
T-Shirts: Graphic and Loud
The 80s t-shirts were loud and bold and typically had graphic designs and pop culture and logos. They were a representation of the time and the prints were dominated by rock bands, films and sports teams. This style was such that men could display their interests and personalities through their dress.
The new casual attire was graffiti shirts. T-shirts not only have to be a part of the wardrobe of any man, but also a band image or a beautiful graphic. These shirts, paired with jeans or shorts, were laden with the nonconformist, carefree spirit of the period.
The 80s: A Global Fashion Movement
The 80s male fashion was not confined to America. The fashion of the decade was vibrant and daring, which the entire world followed. The movement of the New Romantics developed in the UK, which employed extravagant genderless clothing.
Japan had designers who were pushing the boundaries of fashion with the help of avant-garde designs, including Issey Miyake and Rei Kawakubo. All these trends across the globe influenced the ideas of the 80s fashion to the rest of the world and the world learned to embrace the bizarre styles of the decade.
Legacy of 80s Male Fashion
Although the 80s were over thirty years ago, their effects on fashion are felt even today. Most of the trends that characterized the period, such as huge jackets and graphic tees, have reappeared in contemporary fashion. The 80s are still used to draw inspiration in the collections of designers, so the excessively stylish theme of the time is not forgotten.
The 80s fashion for men contributed to breaking the barriers of style as well. Men became more open to experimenting with their dress and not only in the sense of trying new fabrics but also in the sense of adopting at least a more colorful and expressive style. It is the time that preconditioned the fact that the new generation of people will be able to push boundaries of fashion.
FAQ’s
What do you consider to have been the most iconic forms of male fashion in the 80s?
The most recognisable trends were power suits, leather jackets, graphic T-shirts, oversized sweaters and denim. Such accessories as gold chains and aviator sunglasses also played a role.
So what did the power suit mean in the 80s male fashion?
The power suit was a representation of success and power. The excessive shoulder pads and the crisp tailoring were an indication of the boom in business and also a need to be seen as confident and strong.
What role did the hip-hop culture play in the male fashion of the 80s?
Street culture, such as oversized hoodies, baggy pants, and sneakers, was brought up by hip-hop culture. Nike and Adidas became synonymous with cool and graphic T-shirts were used as a means to express personal style.
Do any of the fashion trends of the 80s male come back today?
Indeed, most of the trends of the 80s are returning, such as oversized jackets, graphic tees, and sneakers. The aggressive styles of the 80s are still a point of inspiration to designers.
What are some of the ways in which I can integrate the 80s style to my wardrobe today?
To include the 80s style, pay attention to oversized clothes such as jackets and T-shirts. Accessories such as aviator sunglasses, gold chains, and chunky watches should also not be forgotten.
Conclusion
The 80s also marked a critical turn in fashion of men and they brought forth new bold trends that have continued to influence the fashion world even today. The power suit, leather jackets, and the graphic tees are only a few of the ways the power generations expressed individuality and the time was focused on what stood out.
Whether you are going retro in 80s style or are just finding some inspiration in the decade, the impact of the 80s on contemporary style cannot be neglected. The audacity, color and self-confidence in 80s male fashion will keep on inspiring the fashion lovers moving forward.