15 ’80s Fashion Trends You’ll Actually Want to Wear in 2023
These trends are totally bitchin’.
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Shoulder pads, parachute pants, Full House, scrunchies, and metal lunch boxes. What do all of those things have in common? The ’80s. And in the fashion world, the iconic decade has returned to the surface of modern-day trends yet again. With such trends constantly recycling and evolving, it can be hard to keep up. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t pick and choose the best ’80s trends to don in our 21st-century lives—because the more-is-more decade is alive and (very) well.
As you already know, what goes around comes around. Within the last couple of years, the decade famous for opulence and excess has slowly worked its way back into our hearts in the form of simple ’80s-inspired outfits, thanks to the popularity of trends like biker shorts and oversized blazers. If you’re curious to see which trends have made it back onto the runway or are simply here for some nostalgia, we’ve gathered 15 of the best ’80s fashion trends in 2023, how the runway brought it back, how you can wear it IRL, along with some shopping to go with it (because wouldn’t that be rad?).
Oversized Blazers
TBH, I can’t remember the last time I wore a fitted blazer. Although the ’80s were a time full of boldness and color, oversized blazers were one of the more luxe trends. However, one could dress it down with bike shorts or a pair of jeans à la Sarah Jessica Parker. The versatile trend is here to stay, so when sporting one for your ensemble, remember: the bigger, the better.
How the Runway Did It
Lately, blazers have been getting more and more oversized on the runways. Valentino showed the boxy style as part of its ready-to-wear fall 2023 collection, which showcased a new way to style it: with tailored shorts.
Hooded Dresses
This photo of Grace Jones walking the Azzedine Alaia spring/summer 1986 couture show may or may not be the reason why our love for hooded dresses is so strong. They are sleek, regal, and leave much to the imagination, what more could you need?
How the Runway Did It
Designers featured hooded dresses across the board in recent seasons. Proven at the Bevza spring/summer 2023 show, the style has certainly ensured its spot on the 1980s comeback roster.
Denim Everything
It’s no secret designers recycle denim trends of the past. We’ve seen the return of low-rise boot-cut jeans from the early 2000s to ultra-long, ultra-baggy skater jeans of the ’90s. Why not. the’80s, too? Anything goes, really.
How the Runway Did It
For 2023, Canadian tuxedos, a.k.a. head-to-toe denim, has made their way back onto the runway. There are so many ways to wear this fashion-forward, all-denim look. Case in point: this Givenchy look from its spring/summer 2023 collection.
Parachute Pants
Have parachute pants ever really fallen out of style? Originally known as “hammer pants” (made famous by rapper MC Hammer), parachute pants served as one of the more functional and comfortable pieces of clothing in this era.
How the Runway Did It
This season, the oversized pants appeared to be fashion’s favorite. As seen in Versace’s spring/summer 2023 show, models contrasted the baggy bottoms with a tighter top.
Neon
Though today’s celebs have been diving into the neon trend, we can’t forget that designers of the ’80s were notoriously famous for their use of bright colors. Take this iconic photo of Iman Abdulmajid strutting down the runway for the Claude Montana spring/summer 1986 show as an example.
How the Runway Did It
Today, we can turn to designers like Fendi for bold, showstopping hues calling back to their ’80s predecessors. Electric colors such as bright Tiffany Blue were a mainstay in the brand’s spring/summer 2023 show.
Colored Tights
Colored tights from the ’80s have made a remarkable comeback, reclaiming their place as a bold and trendy fashion statement. Inspired by the vibrant and energetic spirit of the era, fashion enthusiasts are embracing these eye-catching legwear options once again.
How the Runway Did It
Colored tights have undeniably made a bold and captivating appearance on the fashion runways in recent years. This once underutilized accessory has now taken center stage—at the Gucci spring/summer 2023 show, for example—transforming the way we perceive and style our legs. As pictured, bright patterned tights peeked out of the models’ ruffled midis and knee-high boots for a brilliant take on duality.
Lace
In the ’80s, the more lace, the better. Pop stars of the time popularized the material, which then caught on with younger generations. Lace was found from headbands down to socks during the iconic decade. Since then, the trend has stayed true to form, only with a few modern-day alterations, of course.
How the Runway Did It
Runways are seeing a lot of textures and prints nowadays, including lace. Maryam Nassir Zadeh fused the old with the new in its spring/summer 2023 collection, and we’re loving the juxtaposition of it all.
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