The 1980s was a decade of bold style, loud colors, and radical fashion trends. Teenagers during this era expressed themselves through their clothing in rebellious and innovative ways. As pop culture and music videos gained influence, teens began pushing boundaries with their fashion choices more than ever before. In this article we talk about The Radical Style Of Teenagers 80S Fashion.
Big Hair and Bold Makeup
For teenage girls in the 80s, bigger hair was always better. The mantra was “the higher the hair, the closer to heaven.” Perms created big, curly locks while hairspray, mousse and gel held outrageously teased and crimped styles in place. Side ponytails sat high on the crown or side of the head for a playful, youthful look. Hair accessories like wide fabric headbands and oversized bows complemented the loud, larger-than-life hairdos.
Makeup took inspiration from pop icons like Madonna and Cyndi Lauper. Girls opted for bright, bold eyeshadow in neon shades as well as darker, dramatic liner and mascara for a sexy, rebellious style. Blush was applied heavily onto the apples of the cheeks. Lipstick shades were electric and glossy, ranging from bright red and fuchsia to deeper wine colors.
Androgynous and Avant-Garde Styles
The punk movement originating in the 70s continued influencing teen fashion in a big way. Hairstyles like mohawks, undercuts and spiky styles paired with leather, chains, piercings and tattoos gave off an aggressive, rebellious vibe. The androgynous styles in music and pop culture inspired teens to mix traditionally masculine and feminine elements in fresh, trendsetting ways.
Gender bending became popular as teens shopped in both the men’s and women’s departments. Oversized blazers with football player shoulder pads gave girls a powerful, masculine edge. Combat boots and creepers provided an alternative to traditionally feminine heels and flats. Guys started growing their hair out and embracing jewelry, make-up, frills, ruffles and color in ways that challenged traditional concepts of masculinity.
Self-expression was also at an all-time high. Punk gave rise to DIY fashion as teens created their own ripped, safety pinned and studded looks. The avant-garde, new wave and new romantic movements used fashion in bold, artistic ways with asymmetric cuts, abstract prints, dramatic silhouettes and rebellious styling. Self-styled looks mixed glam and grit through combining evening gowns with Dr. Martens boots, for example. Above all, the emphasis was on originality.
Neon Colors and Graphic Prints
The 1980s teen fashion scene was a sea of eye-catching fluorescent color. Electric blue, coral, purple, green and pink dominated everything from clothing to accessories. The brighter and bolder, the better, especially for statement pieces like mini skirts, jackets, tights, or chunky jewelry. Many pop icons like Cyndi Lauper rocked rainbow-bright styles, inspiring teens to embrace color.
Graphics and prints also took center stage, featuring abstract designs, geometric shapes and nature motifs. Psychedelic prints in swirling, tie-dye like patterns covered everything from t-shirts to prom dresses. Large graphic prints might feature palm trees, tropical flowers or abstract expressionist style designs. Striped tops often featured multiple bold colors for maximum impact.
Oversized and Off-the-Shoulder Styles
For both girls and guys, oversized tops created laid-back, casual looks. Oversized shirts with rolled up sleeves, dropped shoulders and roomy silhouettes paired well with leggings or skinny jeans. Off-the-shoulder tops and oversized sweatshirts also gained popularity. Guys embraced shirts in larger sizes for a baggy skater style, often layering oversized plaid button-downs over graphic t-shirts.
Girls wore oversized button-downs as mini dresses, belting them at the waist for a cute yet carefree style. Loose, slouchy styles provided comfort while still making a vibrant fashion statement. Crop tops and tight pants balanced out the roomier proportions on top.
The off-the-shoulder look also took off as Flashdance inspired trends like oversized sweatshirts and leotards with leg warmers. One-shoulder tops and dresses featured strong diagonal lines and asymmetrical details as well. Large necklines that hung off or exposed one shoulder became a go-to going out style.
Acid Wash Denim
Nothing said 80s teen fashion quite like acid washed jeans. The grungy denim process used bleach and other chemicals to create faded light patches on blue jeans for a rough, well-worn style. Both girls and guys rocked acid wash jeans day-to-day as a comfortable, casual look. Distressed denim jackets also paired perfectly with band tees and combat boots. For girls, acid wash overall shorts became a spring and summer staple.
Some acid wash jeans took on a rainbow tie-dye effect using a range of bright dyes. Splatter paint style jeans featured more abstract bleach patterns for an avant-garde, DIY aesthetic. No matter the exact technique, worn-in looking denim remained totally on trend throughout the 80s teen fashion scene.
Power Dressing Style
As more women entered the workforce, teen girls took inspiration from powerful 1980s career wear. Oversized blazers with wide, padded shoulders and a boxy silhouette gave off an assertive vibe. Whether for a job interview or a night out, bold blazers paired well with everything from dresses to jeans. The wide leg pants and skirt suits of 1980s office fashion also filtered down to more casual teen styles.
A touch of masculinity balanced out the ultra feminine prom dresses and new wave bustiers of the era. Suspenders over t-shirts or crisply tailored button-downs added a professional confidence. The line between professional and casual began to blur as teens incorporated business wear elements into their own distinctive looks.
Kitschy and New Wave Accessories
No 80s look was complete without the perfect accessories. Teens piled on the bracelets, necklaces, rings, pins and earrings for loud, fun styles that stood out. Neon sunglasses in bright pinks, yellows and greens as well as tiny Lolita-style shades contrasted with the oversized angular frames of the 1970s. Hair clips, scrunchies and headbands matched the bold colors of an outfit.
Some accessories took inspiration from kitschy retro themes. Plastic charm bracelets, dangling letter earrings, and novelty printed socks and gloves gave off 1950s vibes. The 1960s go-go boot made a comeback paired with flipped, bobbed hairstyles. Gloves came in vibrant colors and prints primed for pop art graphic looks.
New wave and punk culture also influenced edgy, artistic jewelry styles. Spiked leather cuffs and collars, chain link necklaces, safety pins as earrings and other metal accents conveyed an avant-garde, rebellious mood. Odd, conversation-starting earrings might feature robots, telephones, birds or other quirky shapes. Like all 1980s teen fashion, accessories provided a way to creatively stand out from the crowd.
Whether dressing up for school, going out with friends or attending the big dance, 1980s teens used fashion to boldly express themselves. Big hair, bright colors, graphic prints and rebellious styles allowed teenagers to experiment with their clothing in radical ways. Androgynous looks, oversized tops, acid wash denim and kitschy accessories created distinctive trends. Power dressing gave teenage girls a professional edge while New Wave and punk culture inspired edgy styles. Through reinventing and repurposing pieces in creative DIY ways, teens developed their own unique fashion identities that blended pop culture inspiration with personal self-expression. The vibrant, groundbreaking teen styles of the 1980s left a lasting mark on fashion even as they captured the free-spirited energy of the decade’s youth culture. I sincerely hope you find this “The Radical Style Of Teenagers 80S Fashion” aricle helpful.