The Iconic Eighties: Our Eight Favourite Fashion Moments

Featuring skintight joggers, baggy “MC Hammer” pants, shoulder pads and the miniest of mini-skirts, the decade was eclectic, electrifying – and yes, embarrassing as hell for many of us mere mortals, whose unfortunate dabbling with neon blue eye-shadow has been forever immortalised in photographs.

But there were moments of sensational sartorial significance, thanks to some iconic pop culture moments that not only defined that decade, but transformed fashion forever. Here are our eight favourite Eighties fashion moments.

Fame
‘Fame’ and ‘Fashion’ are not just the name of two David Bowie songs. The ground-breaking film that spawned a TV series and a musical was determinedly multi-racial and challenged homophobia and sexism – but it also sparked an iconic fashion trend that can still be seen today in any American Apparel store. From oversized sweatshirts to skintight leggings, lurex legwarmers and a blinding colour palette of kaleidoscopic colour, the outfits in Fame were as eclectic, artistic and energetic as its characters. Throw in some tightly permed hair, electric keyboards and some high-kicks – and you just know that this trend is going to live forever.

Madonna
Her Madgesty burst onto the pop scene in 1983, permanently changing music and fashion – though thankfully her attempt at altering the architecture of the humble brassiere is rarely emulated. Working tutu skirts, haute couture scrunchies, fingerless gloves and crucifixes like we’d never seen before, it was impossible to ignore the influence of this Queen of Pop. From her layered pearls, her unapologetic dark roots and sheer shirts, we fell in love with her style – even if we couldn’t achieve her incredible physique and didn’t really want the conical bras.

Michael Jackson’s Thriller
You know what we’re talking about. That jacket. While the King of Pop had already been carving out his own unique style, making the humble white sock iconic and rocking a single glove like no-one had, could or ever would again, it was his Thriller jacket that embodied what the 80s were all about. Bright red with razor-sharp shoulders and black piping, it was the ultimate power jacket, and became one of the most copied cuts of the decade. The iconic piece went on to sell for $1.8million at auction in 2011. It was described by its new owner as ‘the greatest piece of rock memorabilia ever’.

Boy George
The leader of London’s peacock new romantics, and lead singer with Culture Club, Boy George, saw 1980s fashion as both art and provocation. With his gang of ‘Blitz kids’, including Leigh Bowery and Stephen Jones, O'Dowd used fashion as a genderbending experiment – and boy did he look good in a skirt. Through dramatic make-up, extravagant outfits and an unparalleled hat collection, George turned the club scene into a colourful catwalk, attracting attention, headlines, and even comments from royalty. Queen Elizabeth’s late sister, Princess Margaret, once walked by Boy George in all his glorious maquillage and remarked “Who’s that over madeup tart?”

Jane Fonda
We couldn’t do an ode to ’80s fashion without mentioning the original queen of keep fit, Jane Fonda. The award-winning actress was the first major star to shoot an exercise video, making legwarmers and Lycra as important to the decade as power shoulders. And when exercise became even more fashionable as aerobics and dance collided in 1983’s Flashdance, Fonda seemed even more glamorous – and the skintight leotards and leggings made toning up with her
workouts all the more necessary. The immortality of this trend was seen in Eric Prydz 2004 video for ‘Call On Me’ as we saw cut-off sweatshirts, leg warmers and headbands again became the sexiest thing you’ve ever seen.

Molly Ringwald
From The Breakfast Club to Pretty In Pink, the Brat Pack dominated the decade’s teen movies, with one idol always stealing the show as the prettiest, most popular girl in school and / or the misunderstood artist whose individuality would take time to be appreciated. Molly Ringwald mixed a tough masculine edge with flirty and flouncy femininity, to which she added a dash of creative DIY chaos. No-one wore high-waisted skirts, oversized florals, huge blazers and ankle boots like Ringwald – and she made flaming red hair the new blonde. From her DIY prom dress and bowler hats in Pretty in Pink to her jangling bangles in Sixteen Candles and her groomed glamour in The Breakfast Club, there was no-one like Molly.

Adam Ant
Adam Ant was known for his iconic sense style, influenced by classical romantic looks and 16th century pirates, blended with a new wave/ punk twist. Mastering our two favourite things to come out of the ’80s – New Romantic style and guyliner – Adam combined countless trends. His distinctive stripe not only challenged ideas of men, masculinity and make-up, but also became the hallmark of the most elite indie bands and fashion couture. He also became the muse to Vivienne Westwood: they both loved the New Romantics’ rejection of filth and fury, and their embracing of the beautiful and unique.

Working Girl
Melanie Griffith’s costumes in Working Girl arc around one central premise: power dressing. As women became more prominent and powerful in the workplace but still struggled for recognition, women’s wardrobes became a battleground – and so it’s no surprise that professional ensembles borrowed from masculine tailoring. The power suit was a formidable garment. Wide shoulders were the key, the jackets tailored and fitted, along with knee-length skirt and plain shirt. As Griffith’s Tess begins to work for the impeccably groomed Katherine (Sigourney Weaver), the latter sagely advises: “Dress shabbily, they notice the dress. Dress impeccably, they notice the woman – Coco Chanel.”