Many people love the 80s, and it’s easy to see why. The decade had some of the best fads, and they were so fun. It was also a time when limits and technology were being pushed, and it was changing how people viewed their fashion style, and now it’s been making a comeback. So let’s see which fads you may have forgotten!
Cabbage Patch Kids
These were the cutest things. Kids were excited to get these at Christmas, and the stores were usually sold out because of their popularity. The flagship store even allowed customers to witness the ‘birthing’ of the doll. They would receive adoption papers and get a birth certificate. It was a wonderful experience. The company would sell them for $20-$40.
Prep
In the 80s, they were known as preppies. They wore things like deck shoes and layered polos. The look was “old money” and the lifestyle included things like signing up for sports like tennis and talking about sailing even if you’d never been on a boat. The clothing was from companies like L.L. Bean, Brooks Brothers, and Ralph Lauren. While this style isn’t as popular now, it could definitely be a nice comeback.
John Hughes
Everyone in the 80s knew Hughes and his films. He had amazing hits like The Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles (though this movie was criticized during the Me Too movement). There was a specific set of actors that he liked to use, and some of them had the name of the “Brat Pack.” One of his favorite actresses to use was Molly Ringwald. However, most of the younger generation hasn’t seen any of his movies and doesn’t know who he is.
Trapper Keepers
These were the best binders for keeping your school supplies safe, and the fad actually lasted into the 90s. They were colorful, easy to carry, and the Velcro made sure that nothing was going to come out. In the 80s, they were the definition of cool, and every kid had them. Because the company realized how much people loved them, they re-released the design to try to appeal to a younger audience.
Shoulder Pads
In the 80s, shoulder pads dominated women’s fashion. The bigger the pads, the more awesome they looked. It was a distinct look that eventually fizzled out. However, shoulder pads have been making a few comebacks, though nothing as big as before. Most people see pictures of these shoulder pads and can’t believe it was a thing.
Mullets
The 80s were mullet central, and they were everywhere. It turned into a cultural phenomenon and was seen as a symbol of rebellion, nonconformity, and rock and roll. Popular celebrities had them, making normal people want to follow, and it became another trend that lasted into the 90s. Men and women both sported them, thinking that it was glamorous.
Big Hair
Big hair rocked the 80s, and ladies thought the bigger the hair, the better. Cultural trends, the desire to create their own expressive looks and style, and celebrity influence were moving them toward higher styles. Metal bands also adopted big hair, and soon fans were following the trend. By the 90s, the trend had faded because of new bands with grunge looks.
Valspeak
In the 80s, everyone totally got pulled into a new fad language called Valspeak. It was like everything you should want to sound like. It combined surfer slang, some hippie lingo, and other areas of jargon. It started in the San Fernando Valley, gaining national attention with the song “Valley Girl.” It also made every sentence sound like a question.
Walkmans
Ancient today, but during the 80s, the Walkman was the big thing. Everyone wanted one, and they sold 50,000 in the first two months. Consumers loved the headphones and the fact that they were portable and could be taken anywhere. Now you could listen to cassette tapes anytime you wanted.
Swatch
In the 70s, they were struggling to sell these, but in the 1980s, after a new prototype, they began to sell. The new watch had fewer components, and they added colors and different designs for the dials and straps. By the late 80s, they even had scented bands. By the time the 90s rolled around, they had 500 different styles.
Leg Warmers
Leg warmers made a huge hit when everyone was obsessed with the movie Flashdance, but that wasn’t the only reason. The popularity of the movie made oversized sweatshirts and leggings a big hit. So much so that while the younger generation doesn’t know much about these, the older generation would love to bring them back.
Sweatbands
If you ran, worked out, or just did yard work in the 80s, you would have had a sweatband. Did it look cool? It depended on who you asked. Regardless, they were a big hit, and you would have been hard pressed to find someone without at least one in their collection.
The Half-Shirt
Originally, this indicated that you were on a team, but this quickly caught on, and even celebrities were spotted sporting half-shirts. They would come in mesh styles or other materials, and people started seeing them in music, movies, and television. It was also seen as a metal fashion statement, and those who had them drove older muscle cars.
Neon
Neon was fun, bright, and loud. Instead of the neutrals we see now, like beige, white, and black, neon was treated like a neutral. Bright pinks, greens, yellows, and more were what you needed to create the best look. A big neon belt and the right accessories would take the outfit to the next level.
Stirrups
Stirrup pants look like leggings, but they only have a strap that goes around the bottom of your foot, hence the name. They can be a cute alternative to leggings, but if you wear them improperly, they can bag around your ankles. The pants also weren’t as fitted back then as they are now. Nevertheless, the look was interesting.
Bring It Back
The 80s were a time of fun and style, and while these fads may have been forgotten, they can still be brought back. As you can see from our list, some of the trends were considered a bit “wild” or edgy, but many others would be right at home on a runway or in stores.
