The ‘80s was a wild, colorful, and inventive time, filled with bold fashion, quirky gadgets, and unique cultural moments. It was a decade when trends defined a whole era. Looking back now, some of those fads feel like relics from another world, but they made the ‘80s a truly special time to live through. While they’ve now disappeared from our daily lives, they live on in our memories.
Neon Everything
It was impossible to walk down the street in the ‘80s without seeing someone decked out in neon. From highlighter-yellow shirts to electric-pink leggings, neon was loud, unapologetic, and made a bold statement. Accessories like jelly bracelets and shoelaces in matching neon hues turned the loud button to max. These days, neon pops up here and there, but in the ‘80s it was everywhere.
Shoulder Pads
Everyone looked like they were ready for a football game in the ‘80s, women included. The power suit, complete with massive shoulder pads, symbolized strength and confidence. Blouses, dresses, and even casual jackets had them too.
Mall Culture
Teens would hang out for hours at the mall, cruising between stores, hitting the arcade, and grabbing food at the food court. It wasn’t just a place to shop; it was the place to be in the ‘80s, because it was all about being seen. The rise of online shopping and media has made this social hub a distant memory.
Big Hair
When it came to hair in the ‘80s, bigger was better and everyone’s hair was larger than life. . Teased locks, massive curls, and gallons of hairspray were the norm, creating gravity-defying mullets and perms that took hours to perfect.
These days, sleek and natural looks have taken over, leaving the towering hairstyles of the ‘80s in the dust, much to the relief of our ozone layer.
Boomboxes
Teens weren’t shy about letting everyone know what music they liked. Carrying around a boombox on your shoulder was a badge of honor in the ‘80s. It was your personal soundtrack, blasting out tunes for the world to hear. The bigger and louder the boombox, the cooler you were. Now, with smartphones and portable speakers, the iconic boombox has gone.
Acid-Wash Denim
Acid-wash jeans paired with a crop top or oversized sweater was the ultimate casual look in the ‘80s. From the playground to the boardroom, Jackets, skirts, and even overalls got the acid-wash treatment, giving everything a distressed, rock-and-roll vibe.
Mix Tapes
Decades before streaming playlists and Spotify, young people shared their favorite songs with mix tapes. Carefully crafted on cassette tapes, they took hours to make, especially if you were recording songs off the radio and had to time it just right. Giving someone a mix tape was a deeply personal gesture, full of meaning.
Today’s digital playlists don’t carry the same charm as those handmade compilations.
Slap Bracelets
You’ve probably never heard of snap bracelets. These simple yet addictive accessories were made of metal covered in colorful fabric and an ‘80s playground sensation. Kids couldn’t get enough of snapping them onto their wrists.
They came in all kinds of patterns, from animal prints to neon, and trading them was just as fun as wearing them. Concerns over safety and changing trends eventually phased them out.
Leg Warmers
Thanks in part to movies like Flashdance, leg warmers became a mainstream fashion statement in the ‘80s. Originally designed for dancers, they were worn over leggings, jeans, or bare legs, adding a pop of color and a cozy vibe to any outfit. People even paired them with sneakers or heels, creating some truly wild combinations.
VHS Tapes
Who can remember Friday nights in the video rental store to pick a movie on VHS? The clunky tapes were everywhere in the ‘80s, from home shelves to school AV carts. There was something special about watching the previews, adjusting the tracking, and rewinding at the end. With DVDs, Blu-rays, and streaming now taking over, VHS tapes are a bygone of the past.
Feathered Hair
Big stars like Farrah Fawcett made feathered hair the epitome of cool in the ‘80s. This iconic style involved layers, lots of blow-drying, and just the right amount of volume to create that feathered effect. Both men and women embraced the style, making it one of the most memorable hair trends of the decade.
Swatch Watches
Before the 1980s, plain watches were used to tell the time. But Swatch changed all that with colorful, quirky watches that were as much about making a fashion statement. With endless designs, from neon to pop art-inspired patterns, they were a must-have accessory for kids and teens. Some would often stack multiple Swatches on their wrists, turning them into wearable art.
Arcade Hangouts
Youngsters in the ‘80s loved games as much as kids today, but back then arcades were the go-to places to hang out after school or on weekends. Games like Pac-Man, Space Invaders, and Donkey Kong ruled the scene, and there was always a crowd gathered around the latest machine.
The thrill of earning high scores and winning tickets for prizes was unmatched. Home consoles and smartphones have replaced that ‘80s arcade culture.
Fanny Packs
Back in the ‘80s, fanny packs were practical and fashionable. They let you keep your essentials close while leaving your hands free, which made them popular for everything from theme parks to school trips. They came in all kinds of designs, including neon and metallic styles that screamed ‘80s.
While they’ve seen some resurgence in recent years, they’ll always be remembered as one of the quirkiest trends of the decade.