Pop Culture and Couture in the eighties‍

Big Hair and bold makeup

The decade was marked by its big hair and bold makeup. While other decades focused on volume and length, the eighties were all about thickness, volume, and volume. It was the era of the big brush and neon colors, as well as dark eyeliner and bright red lipstick. While the seventies saw women wearing natural makeup and conservative hair, the eighties saw a change. Eyeliner became thicker and bolder, especially along the lower eyelid. It was used to draw attention to the eyes and make them appear larger. Lipstick also became darker in color and bolder in texture, with many shades having a creamy or glossy finish. Women wore eyeliner and dark lipstick both along the upper and lower eyelid. They also wore blush on their cheeks and often added sparkle to their eyes with glitter or sparkly eye shadow.

Hot pants and leggings

Hot pants and leggings were a big part of fashion in the 1980s. They were worn as bottoms, with short tops or long tops. In the early years of the decade, hot pants were very short, above the knee and came in bright, vibrant colors. They were paired with tights or knee socks, often with leg warmers. As the decade wore on, hot pants became longer and were worn with long tops. They were available in a variety of fabrics, including jersey and spandex. Leggings were also worn as bottoms and came in both warm and cold weather versions, such as fleece or wool. They were available in a variety of colors and prints, and some were patterned on both sides.

Over-the-top clothing

In the eighties, everything seemed over-the-top, from the hair and makeup to the outfits. Wide-leg pants, shorts, and skirts, as well as neon colors took over the fashion world. One-shouldered dresses and tops and high-cut bathing suits appeared on the fashion scene. Many outfits had ruffles, rhinestones, or sequins and were made from spandex or jersey materials. Clothing was often very see-through, and visible lingerie, often with a pattern, was a big trend. Women wore one-shouldered leotards with high-cut bathing suits or short shorts, often with leg warmers. Leotards could be worn under an outfit or as an outfit, either with a skirt or shorts. Bikinis were also worn with or without the top. Bikini tops were made of spandex, with the two parts connected in the middle.

Visible lingerie and see-through clothing

Visible lingerie was a trend that began in the 1960s but became more common in the 1980s. Women would wear lingerie under their tops as outerwear, often with a pattern or a bold color. This became even more common when one-shouldered tops became fashionable. The trend was more common with women who wore revealing clothing, such as dancers and celebrities. Some clothing, such as tops and dresses, were designed with the intention of being see-through. They were made with thin or transparent fabric and featured bold colors or designs. One-shouldered tops and dresses were often made with thin material, sometimes transparent or sequined. They were also often worn with a single glove.

Leg Warmers

Leg warmers became very popular in the 1980s. They were worn by both men and women as an accessory or to keep their legs warm. They were made of wool, acrylic, or spandex and came in bright colors. Some were patterned on both sides, while others had stripes on one side and a different pattern on the other. As an accessory, leg warmers were worn high or low on the leg, above or below the knee. They often came in sets and were paired with a short top or a long top and a short or long skirt. Leg warmers could also be worn as a headband or wrist warmer, or even be used to tie up hair. They were versatile pieces of clothing that could be worn with almost any outfit.

Conclusion

The 1980s were an era of big hair, bold makeup, see-through clothing, and leg warmers. Hot pants, leggings, and wide pants were worn as bottoms, while one-shouldered tops and dresses were worn as tops. Outfits were made with thin material, often see-through, while colorful sequins and rhinestones were used as decoration. Apart from clothing, the 1980s were also marked by popular hairstyles, such as the mullet, as well as bright and bold colors. One of the most defining features of the time was the rise of technology, which brought us computers as well as music videos and TV shows with animated characters.