1980’s Women’s Fashion Trends

One of the more popular aspects of fashion trends for the decade was the complete overhaul of the style that worked for decades with the introduction of new styles and silhouettes. With these changes, there also came a number of new names for high fashion designers that had previously only been associated with one or two styles. With the complete overhaul in the fashion industry, it was up to the individual woman to make the best fashion choices she could be based on personal preference and current trends.

One of the major changes in the fashion world was the move toward more wearable, simpler clothing. This trend was most prominent in the realm of swimwear, which saw many women skip out on wearing two or three pieces of footwear in the same style. Although some fashion purists might argue that this takes away from the sophistication of the dress, others are advocates for the streamlined silhouette that is easily wearable even without changing into a separate swimming suit. Another example of a change in fashion trends for the decade was the removal of the tie on shirts, which many women found unappealing or just plain unfashionable.

Another important aspect of fashion trends for the decade was the focus on fabrics and materials over function. There was a complete overhaul in the types of cloth used to design clothing, which resulted in many different cloths being worn as outerwear all around the world. A common fabric for outerwear during this time was nylon, which was also one of the first synthetic fibers used in apparel. It was the catalyst for the movement away from wool and toward more synthetic fabrics that were more resistant to damage while offering a more stylish look. Although the focus on materials during the decade did focus more on appearance than actual functionality, the fashion trends were clearly headed in a new direction.