The Best and Worst of '80s Fashion

80s Fashion: The Good, the Bad and the Downright Ridiculous

Desperately Seeking Susan/Orion Pictures

Ah, fashion in the ’80s. A time of bold colors, oversize blazers and gravity-defying hairstyles. But it wasn’t all bad—remember the power suit? Get ready for a fashion flashback as we recall some of the most hilarious looks of the decade.

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Working Girl/Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

1/15

Supersized Hair

The general rule of ’80s hair seemed to be that if it didn’t look like a bird could land in it, then it just wasn’t big enough. Best when teamed with the aforementioned power suit and bright eyeshadow all the way up to the brow.

Weird Science/Universal Pictures

2/15

Earrings to Your Shoulders

Because when you have gigantic hair, you need your accessories to match.

Girls Just Want to Have Fun/New World Pictures

3/15

Neon Colors

A daring look or an attack on corneas everywhere? Tough call. (Side note: If you haven’t seen SJP wearing all the neon in Girls Just Want to Have Fun, then you haven’t lived.)

Say Anything/Gracie Films

4/15

Boomboxes as Accessories

And you thought the guy listening to his Beats too loud on the subway was annoying.

Can’t Buy Me Love/Apollo Pictures

5/15

Fanciful Fringe

We don’t know if it’s the boxy white jacket or memories of a nerdy Patrick Dempsey purchasing his high school popularity in Can't Buy Me Love, but we're just going to say it—these tassels aren’t terrible.

Pretty In Pink/Paramount Pictures

6/15

Bolo Ties

Not-so-fun fact: Kids today have no idea what these are or why they were considered cool in the ’80s. Then again, we're not so sure that we can really explain that either.

Desperately Seeking Susan/Orion Pictures

7/15

Lace Gloves

Madonna ruled the style stakes this decade, so much so that she managed to convince everyone that extraneous lace gloves were a must-have accessory. Note: wearing just one glove was also totally acceptable.

The Breakfast Club/ Universal Pictures

8/15

Popped Collars

Best worn with an attitude problem, à la The Breakfast Club.

Flashdance/Paramount Pictures

9/15

Workout Clothes for Everyday Wear

Leg warmers and Lycra: not just for the gym. (Seems like 2017 might be taking a page from this book.)

Breakin’/Golan-Globus Productions

10/15

Parachute Pants

Admittedly not the most flattering look but on the plus side, super useful if ever required to make an emergency jump out of an airplane. And for sneaking snacks into the theater.

Nightmare on Elm Street/New Line Cinema

11/15

Crop Tops

To be fair, this look has made a total comeback. And also, this is far from the weirdest thing that Johnny Depp has ever worn.

Heathers/New World Pictures

12/15

Shoulder Pads

If you’re wondering if shoulders and attitudes could ever be too big in the ’80s, Winona’s face has the answer.

Sixteen Candles/Channel Productions

13/15

Fedoras Tilted to the Back

Priority No. 1: Never mess with the bangs.

Back to the Future/Universal Pictures

14/15

Down Vests

Another trend that's made a serious comeback. But nobody wears this look better than Marty McFly.

Lost Boys/Warner Bros.

15/15

Mullets

Business in the front, party in the back. Terrible all around. And yes, that’s Kiefer Sutherland in the middle.

'80s Fashion: The Good, the Bad and the Downright Ridiculous

Supersized Hair

Earrings to Your Shoulders

Neon Colors

Boomboxes as Accessories

Fanciful Fringe

Bolo Ties

Lace Gloves

Popped Collars

Workout Clothes for Everyday Wear

Parachute Pants

Crop Tops

Shoulder Pads

Fedoras Tilted to the Back

Down Vests

Mullets

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'80s Fashion: The Good, the Bad and the Downright Ridiculous

Supersized Hair

Earrings to Your Shoulders

Neon Colors

Boomboxes as Accessories

Fanciful Fringe

Bolo Ties

Lace Gloves

Popped Collars

Workout Clothes for Everyday Wear

Parachute Pants

Crop Tops

Shoulder Pads

Fedoras Tilted to the Back

Down Vests

Mullets

More Stories You’ll Love

More Stories From our Partners