Eighties Fashion For Ladies

The 1980s was an era of experimentation for women’s clothing, with a mix of high fashion and street style. Leather, denim, and sparkly fabrics were commonplace for dresses, skirts, and pants. ’80s fashion was dominated by London designers, which led to a style inspired by the streets and clubs of that city. Lycra miniskirts over leggings, chains, fishnet gloves and midriff-baring shirts were embraced by millions of young women worldwide. Grace Jones is arguably the queen of extreme 80s fashion, combining daring trends with the best of rock and roll. Her flamboyant look of a gigantic hat, statement earrings and gloves with a naked cage dress and red lip is a true statement of self-expression.

Towards the end of the decade, the drop-waist sailor dress overtook the peasant and Victorian styles. These dresses usually had lace, eyelets, or ribbons in their design and were often worn with matching or contrasty accessories. Skirts were also a popular fashion choice for girls and teens, from ruffled pleated miniskirts to pencil skirts in acid-washed colors and patterns.

Jeans in different shades were a go-to for women’s bottoms, as were straight-cut or pleated jeans with a high waistline. Jeans with colorful or floral patterns or pop art/abstract prints were common for casual wear, as were polos and T-shirts. Long pearl necklaces were the preferred jewelry for a dressed-up look, while bangles and beaded bracelets were often worn with the polo and T-shirt look.

Leather jackets were a must-have for any young woman’s wardrobe, and came in a wide variety of colors, textures and fits. Stylish motorcycle jackets, bomber jackets and tailored leather blazers were all available in the 1980s. Girls and teens could also choose from a range of other outerwear, including denim jackets in a wide assortment of acid washes and colors and a selection of fitted and oversized styles.

A girl’s wardrobe was not complete without a few pairs of shoes. Leather sandals and pumps were the hottest footwear option, but strappy rubber boots also made their mark in the ’80s. Jelly shoes were a fad that started in 1983 when a buyer from Bloomingdale’s saw the plastic footwear on display at a shoe convention. They were cheap and easy to make, and a huge success in the US, especially among younger people.

Women’s blazers were another wardrobe staple for the ’80s, with a boxy fit and shoulder pads that gave them the appearance of inverted triangles. This power suit was the uniform of working women who fought to break the glass ceiling at work, as depicted by Melanie Griffith in her role as Tess McGill in the movie Working Girl. Women in power suits often wore sneakers with their outfits, and carried their heels in a bag or under their desk. Pantyhose was still required for most working women, although colored tights were popular later in the decade.