How to dress in 80s American fashion

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Content

Steps
Method 1 of 2: For women
Method 2 of 2: For men
Tips
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80s American fashion is unlike any that preceded it - and in many ways, none of the styles that followed it have anything like it. It was a decade filled with bright colors, bouffants, tight and loose clothing, and colorful accessories.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: For women

80s women loved bright, neon colors, so you have to match many colors in your outfit, regardless of the pieces you included. Complete your look with colorful jewelry, bold makeup and fleece.

1 Find a blouse or jacket with thick shoulder pads. Broad shoulders have become all the rage because many women have begun to infiltrate the workplace. A rectangular jacket with heavy shoulder pads looks professional in the 80s style, while a blouse or dress with thick shoulder pads will go for a more casual style.
2 Choose an oversized top. If you don't like shoulder pads, go for an oversized sweater, shirt, or blouse. Look for a top with a deep, round neckline. Solid colors are more beneficial, but you can experiment with colorful geometric designs.
3 Wear a mini skirt. Denim miniskirts look especially good, but leather or knit options are also cute. If you opt for a colored skirt, go for hot pink or another bright, neon color.
4 Pull on leggings or patterned stockings. They are especially great when worn under a miniskirt and an oversized sweater that reaches mid-thigh or below. Look for solid colors or patterned tights with spots, stripes, textured lace, or other embroidery.
5 Look for leggings. This is a stretch jersey pants that taper down towards the ankle.The ankle has an elastic "strap" that goes under the heel. Choose leggings that match any color or pattern, from black to neon orange.
6 Consider bleached jeans. Find an old pair with bleach marks and holes. Cropped jeans with ripped edges also fit the classic 80s.
7 Don't forget to wear leg warmers. This trend was especially popular in the early to mid-decade. In the 80s, leggings were made of wool, cotton and a blend of synthetic fibers. They were sold in a wide variety of colors, from the brightest to monotonous and neutral shades. Wear leg warmers under any bottom, whether it's a miniskirt or skinny jeans.
8 Shoe your jelly. Jellies, also known as "jelly shoes", are a type of brightly colored shoe made from PVC plastic. These shoes have a translucent, glossy sheen and are often shimmery with different sheen. Most of the jellies were flat, but some were in heels.
9 Choose the right heels. Adult women wear heels under most of their outfits, whether professional or casual. Choose a pair of pointed toe shoes with a closed heel and high, slim heels. Opt for black or white, but you can also go for bright yellows or pinks if you want to play up the flashy, neon reputation of 80s American fashion.
10 Wear sneakers or boots. In addition to jelly and heels, teens and young girls also wore sneakers and boots to match their outfits. Take a pair of black lace-up boots with thick soles. They can be worn under almost any bottom, from miniskirts to bleached jeans.
11 Buy oversized earrings. In general, the popular jewelry of that decade was bright and large. Earrings were especially in vogue. Look for earrings with rhinestones or pearls, preferably gold plated. Dangle or collar earrings will graze your shoulders and work best.
12 Comb your hair. No 80s look is complete without fleece.
- Take a section of hair from the crown of your head.
- Comb it down to the scalp in short strokes.
- Spray a combed-back section of hair at the roots.
- Repeat the initial combing process under the crown to give the hair a bump.
- Repeat the entire combing process with the rest of your hair.
13 Apply makeup to highlight your cheeks and eyes. Don't be afraid to overdo it. 80s makeup was very catchy.
- Outline the outline of the entire eye with black eyeliner.
- Apply mascara.
- Use bright shadows. Choose bold colors and contrasting shadows at the same time.
- Add a heavy blush to the cheekbones.

Method 2 of 2: For men

Although men wore fewer neon colors than women, bright colors and bold designs were all the rage back then. Skinny jeans and parachute pants were also in the wardrobe of many men of that era.

1 Wear an embossed sweater or shirt. Look for geometric patterns on sweaters or Hawaiian prints on shirts. The sweater should be thick with a bulky, square neckline.
2 Put on your Members Only jacket. Real jackets had a black tag on the chest pocket that said “Members Only,” but if you can't find a real jacket, just copy the style. Find a cotton-polyester jacket with nylon lining, elasticated cuffs, a front zip and a buckle at the neck. Choose a jacket in any color.
3 Look for tight jeans. Light bleached jeans look best. Find a model that fits snugly around your legs because men in skinny jeans were fashionable at the time, unlike those who wore baggy jeans.
4 Get a pair of parachute pants. In the early 80s, these pants were narrower, but by the end of the decade they had become extremely baggy. Look for a pair of shiny synthetic pants. If possible, look for an option with multiple zippers because they were considered more stylish.
5 Wear a pastel suit. For a more professional look, wear a conservative blazer in pastel blue or another light color. Pair the blazer with white pants. This look is also known as the Miami Police style.
6 Put on your moccasins. Loafers look best when paired with pastel blazers and other conservative styles.
7 Wear heavy sneakers or boots. If you decide to go out in bleached jeans or parachute pants, look for heavy trainers or boots. Choose black lace-up boots with thick soles.
8 Add volume to your hair. Apply volume to hair to give it a little extra lift. Secure your hair with gel or hairspray.

Tips

Search the internet for pictures from the 80s to get an idea of that look. There were many trends in that decade. Photos from that time will help you get a complete picture of how to pair outfits together.
Browse online auctions and thrift stores for 80s clothing.
Try to match many colorful outfits.