To better understand what women and girls looked like in the era of the 80s and 90s, you can watch the movie “Back to the Future.” This is a crazy time of bright and awkward fashion, provocative makeup and clothing, rebellious behavior and crazy hairstyles. During these years, a wave of rap, punk rock, disco and rock culture swept over the country, which could not but affect the style of clothing. The most fashionable were high-waisted jeans, angora sweaters, boiled skirts and faux leather skirts, colored leggings, oversized down jackets made of padding polyester, sweatpants, T-shirts, Montana jackets, Mickey Mouse designs on sweaters or T-shirts, red jackets, etc.
Women's fashion trends
Unlike the 70s and 90s, in the 80s women's silhouettes had to be as slim as possible. Against the background of a narrowed waist, the shoulders were made as large as possible. Skirts were usually knee-length or mini. Dresses in the style of that time, like sweaters, suggested bare shoulders.
In those years, women wore both classic high-heeled shoes and sports shoes, but even sneakers and sneakers were decorated with all sorts of accessories. Party attire was much more formal than it is now. Accordingly, numerous decorations had to be used to create a suitable image.
For fitness and aerobics classes, ladies chose swimsuits and bodysuits, which they combined with a headband and leg warmers. For office wear, a suit with wide shoulders and the narrowest possible waist was selected. For its manufacture, shiny materials of noble shades were used. At the same time, the image was complemented by a rather simple blouse and jewelry.
The wardrobe of the 80s meant the mandatory presence of transparent tights. As a rule, they were worn with mini skirts. Regardless of age, every woman was sure to have a shiny dress with one bare shoulder and frills. Ladies wore this outfit to parties. These clothes were combined with high-heeled shoes and the brightest makeup possible. Numerous accessories complemented the look.
There were frills in the clothes. Such decorative elements were observed on dresses and blouses. It was this design element that Princess Diana loved, who became the founder of this trend. There were frills on everything possible. With their help, both business suits and jeans were decorated.
Eighties fashion also included the following elements:
- sparkles. They were used everywhere, sewn onto various items of clothing, scattered on the hair;
- animal prints. Images of exotic animals were applied to almost everything. It was at that time that clothes with prints in the form of snake, leopard, giraffe and zebra skin became especially popular;
- leggings. They were a successful replacement for classic tight-fitting trousers. They were combined with loose sweaters or large T-shirts;
- oversized sweaters. Velor models made in muted shades were especially popular;
- silicone shoes. Even famous fashion designers, including Jean-Paul Gaultier himself, gained incredible popularity and could not resist such a wardrobe item;
- velor tracksuits. This fabric was associated with luxury and at the same time was characterized by maximum comfort. Apparently, this is why it became so popular in the 80s. Tracksuits made from this fabric were worn not only during training. They appeared in bars and upscale restaurants;
- t-shirt. It has become one of the main wardrobe items. As a rule, they wore it with jeans or leggings. A characteristic feature of this clothing was the presence of inscriptions or logos;
- leotards and swimsuits. At that time, it was sports models that gained popularity, which were widely used by ladies for training;
- gaiters. They became the finishing touch when creating any image;
- jeans. Tight-fitting models have gained particular popularity, but loose, high-waisted options have also remained in demand. Regardless of the style, they were worn or completely bleached.
Also in the 80s, clothing style meant a denim jacket. Classic models with a short waist have gained particular popularity. They were combined with blouses or T-shirts, tight jeans. A denim vest was also appropriate.
Makeup in the style of the 80-90s
Fashionable makeup of the 90s and 80s stood out for its brightness and boldness. Shadows - preferably bright blue, hot pink and other colors in the same spirit, preferably pearlescent. Bold black arrows were also welcomed.
The blush should be darker, and more expressive and bold - from the apples of the cheeks to the very temple area. Lipstick color, preferably cool pink. Brown, scarlet and bright crimson shades. Be sure to line your lips with a pencil whose color is slightly darker than the color of your lipstick.
Also, do not forget about the smallest, but quite important detail of makeup - the front sight. This small black dot on your cheek can make your look more complete and expressive. Use a pencil with good pigment and not too rough texture so as not to scratch the skin. To prevent the fly from fading, set it with light powder.
Men's trends
Since 1980, men have begun to pay significantly more attention to their appearance. Bright outfits appeared in the wardrobe, but still the stronger sex dressed more conservatively than the ladies. The bias was made more for comfort. Men's fashion was characterized by the following details:
- velor tracksuits. Such clothing in the style of that time was appropriate not only for women, but also for men, and became an everyday item of clothing;
- presence of logos. Fashion trends meant displaying style and exuberance. Accordingly, the choice was given to outfits with the logos of some brand or designer. For example, on clothes one could see inscriptions such as Coca-Cola, Harley Davidson, Nike or Gucci;
- bomber jackets. They have become one of the main items of men's wardrobe. Models made of both leather and nylon were appropriate;
- torn types of jeans. The active development of such musical trends as heavy metal and hard rock has led to the fact that these wardrobe items have become especially popular among men. Moreover, not everyone purchased branded items. It was quite appropriate to make several cuts yourself in suitable places. At the same time, the cuffs of the jeans were rolled up and thus the sports shoes were clearly demonstrated;
- Gucci brand sweatshirts. They have become popular among both the younger generation and mature men;
- T-shirts. Men wore both plain versions and models with inscriptions or prints;
- polo shirts. Clothing with stripes, made in pastel colors, has become one of the main attributes of stylish guys;
- parachute fabrics. They are easy to care for, practically weightless, and therefore began to be used for the manufacture of sportswear. As a rule, they had horizontal stripes. A chevron design was also appropriate;
- thick leather skins. Sports shoes had to be massive. For its manufacture, exclusively thick skins were used.
Also in demand among men were bright shorts called jams. Their length reached the knees. They were usually decorated with images in the Hawaiian style. These shorts were worn not only on the beach, but also in everyday life.
Clothes of the eighties - nineties (dresses, skirts, trousers): fashion and style
If you want to recreate the style of the eighties, nineties, use a combination of ripped or regular jeans, denim shorts with long shirts, striped T-shirts or tops with a Mickey Mouse pattern. Bright pleated skirts with suspenders are also appropriate here.
Makeup Features
At that time, the makeup was bright, quite bold and incredibly heavy. The main emphasis was on the eyes. Bright blue or pink shadows were applied to the eyelids. Not black, but colored ink was also used.
The cheeks were also given special attention. Blush was always applied to them. At the same time, they chose pale lipstick. Naturalness was not in fashion. The base was made lighter by several tones, and the blush was applied in the thickest layer possible. Even the lips looked very unnatural, due to their outline with a pencil that was several shades darker than the lipstick.
Homemade high fashion
Indian jeans cost 60 rubles - just half a salary. Polish - about a hundred. American - all two hundred. In sewing cooperatives and at home, things were sewn much cheaper. True, from the cheapest fabrics that faded and frayed. Such “masterpieces” sometimes looked wild. For example, banana pants are made from colored pillowcases. But many fashionistas of perestroika are their own fashion designers!
“Naturally, we bought some fabrics that were also difficult to get. We took some things from my mother, from my grandmother, something with Lurex, some old sweaters. All this was torn apart, altered, sleeves were cut off, some cutouts were made,” says opera and pop singer, former member of the Mirage group Margarita Sukhankina. “And then one day you will choose not the best, but cheap fabric, and in a couple of evenings you will invent something that you won’t be ashamed to show yourself in!”
Patterns are the most valuable thing that was in Soviet women's magazines. They were carefully cut out from “Peasant Woman” and “Working Woman” and stored in a special folder. My favorite patterns are, of course, from the German publication “Burda Moden”, which began to be published in the USSR in March 1987. It was “Burda,” as she was called, who taught Soviet girls to sew: the patterns were simple and understandable. Attentive readers noticed everything: makeup and hairstyles of fashion models, house interiors, street signs and other little things that defined the Western lifestyle, so desirable and alluring.
“This is an incident of Soviet life,” says publicist Galina Ivankina
. – The magazine “Burda” was considered prestigious, created for German housewives, who were advised how to sew a new skirt from three old curtains, but there were such pictures, such models, everything was laid out so beautifully that it seemed like a pass to a new, beautiful bourgeois life".
In addition to imported magazines, fashionistas also studied videos: concerts of Western stars, American melodramas. Rough and defiant perestroika fashion is a global trend. The girls copied their crazy outfits from Madonna, Sisi Ketch and Hollywood actresses.
“We have already started watching foreign stage shows,” recalls actress Lyudmila Shevel
. - What's there? The makeup is bright, although poorly done. Hairstyles, colors: this is freedom! Mini – who needs it and who doesn’t. Everything is too tight. And these are the kind of shoulders they will make. All this is super, all this is hyper! Literally everything was exaggerated back then.”
“For me, Sisi Ketch was the standard, I loved her very much,” says singer Natalya Gulkina
. – I watched all her videos, when she was with her black panther, and her famous bouffant hairstyle. And I did the same hairstyle for myself.”
And here’s how Tatyana Ivanova, a member of the “Combination” group, remembers this time: “Suddenly they suddenly showed us that there were some other things. That you can’t always look good in brown, that there are other colors in clothes too. It was such a revelation! Why do you think everyone is dressed up in those creepy eye-catching bologna tracksuits? These fuchsias, lime, mint, with pink stripes - the brighter the cooler... Because, it turns out, you can wear it on yourself! Not just white and black, but also so rainbow and beautiful. And the soul rushed to heaven!”
“We finally realized that we are not all the same. Each has its own character, its own appearance, its own image. This was a chance to become yourself!”
Hairstyles
Women, as well as men, began to curl their locks, fluffing and combing them to make them as voluminous as possible. Hairstyles at that time had to be curly, quite large and at the same time stylized.
The so-called retro has come into fashion. Hair began to be styled the same way as in the 60s, but new trends also appeared. For example, the so-called rattletail has gained popularity.
Scrunchies decorated with velvet bows, all kinds of sparkles and velvet have become especially popular. Hair was also often tied with a banana clip, leaving fancy ponytails on the sides.
Chic and shine: lurex, dutik, winter sneakers and much more
The Iron Curtain opened, and Soviet fashionistas no longer lagged behind Western ones. Multi-colored sweaters with lurex were brought from Japan, boots with laces and heels - from Yugoslavia. And jackets made from real thick denim are from America. This was the typical assortment of a fashion cooperative! “There were some friends who brought various catalogs from Germany and America,” recalls Margarita Sukhankina, opera and pop singer, former member of the Mirage group.
. “We leafed through them and saw how they dress there. Here you will find jeans, some fashionable Cossack boots, and checkered shirts. Naturally, we also wanted to match. And in the stores it was like a ball rolling, well, there was nothing!”
“Dad brought corduroy from Germany, not large, which was everywhere in our stores, but thin. I had purple and brown bright corduroys, and a puffy jacket - it was fashionable then,” says the lead singer of the group “City 312”, Honored Artist of the Kyrgyz Republic Svetlana Nazarenko
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Quilted jackets made of nylon, as if inflated with air, were called “dutiki”. And to go with them are the same plump boots with thick soles - lunar rovers. Silver-colored specimens were considered the most squeaky. These fashion masterpieces were brought from Finland.
“And winter sneakers also appeared,” recalls singer, Honored Artist Tatyana Bulanova
. - It was actually a squeak. They were not on a platform, but on a thick “tractor” sole. I had them, I remember. A classmate “brought them to me,” I hope, not at a very speculative price.”
Accessories
It was during this period that the maximum number of accessories was used. Not a single outfit could do without them. They became the distinctive feature of this decade.
An evening outfit necessarily required the presence of a massive necklace equipped with pendants, earrings hanging down to the shoulders, and all kinds of bracelets. A simple walk down the street seemed impossible without sunglasses and a large tote bag. During sports training, a boom box and a headband became mandatory attributes.
Jewelry in the 80s was quite massive. Moreover, this applied to both earrings, necklaces, and brooches. Bracelets were worn in stacks. People living in great wealth necessarily covered themselves with many precious stones and gold. At the same time, ordinary people preferred simple jewelry studded with rhinestones.
Teenagers were characterized by a special fashion. Among them, woven and silicone bracelets were popular, as well as necklaces made from beads and plastic watches.
All accessories had to be decorated. If it's a bag. Then it was necessarily decorated with stones or sequins. Even hair bands could no longer be modest. All kinds of bows and sparkles were appropriate.
Disco 80 - clothing style for the kings of the party
It is unlikely that any of you, having heard the first notes of “Jimmi-Jimmi” or “I am a disco-dancer”, will be able to sit/stand in one place with a straight face, without trying to dance at least a little. These songs are very perky, bright and even a little sexy. This was also the case with disco style clothing in the 80s. The color combinations in the outfits of that time are amazing: bright yellow with blue and turquoise, orange in combination with light green and pink, silver and red with metallic purple. And when people in such outfits gathered together at one party, it seemed as if they were not young people in bright clothes, but a flock of tropical birds. How to create an image in Disco style?
- Start with your hair - this is an important detail that sets the mood for the entire look. Your hair should be very voluminous, as if you were literally doing chemical experiments about five minutes ago, and some kind of mixture exploded right in your hands. If you can create an afro, great; if not, then a pompadour hairstyle will do.
- Like a real dancing queen, you should shine! To do this, you need to apply an exorbitant amount of glitter to the skin, make a bright make-up using pearlescent shadows and lipstick. False colored eyelashes would also come in handy here.
- As for clothes, these are flashy, revealing outfits in unimaginable colors and combinations.
- By the way, clothing should be synthetic, preferably polyester.
- You can't go anywhere without platform shoes. These can be either clogs or just white sneakers.
- If we talk about accessories, then these are imitation gold and plastic. There should be a catastrophically large amount of decorations. Japanese women who dress in decorative style can afford about the same amount of salt.
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Fashion trends in the USSR
In fact, it was during that period that the modern style began to take shape. This decade has become one of the most significant. At that time, spandex was widely used, and it was common to see women and men in velor suits. Everything from turquoise eyeliner to neon laces was considered appropriate.
The eighties became the era of the birth of style. Of course, now considering all the features of fashion of that period, many things seem strange, unacceptable and awkward. True, at that time such decisions were considered a way of self-expression. Everyone strived to create the brightest, boldest image possible, as fashion trends demanded. That is why everything, from clothing to small decorative details, was catchy, eye-catching, and maybe even somewhat provocative.
Hairstyles in the style of the 80-90s
The most important thing about the classic hairstyle of the eighties and nineties was the crazy backcombing, incredible volume and liters of hairspray. Now you can repeat bold experiments with your hairstyle with peace of mind, doing any backcombing. A variety of special anti-tangling products will help you repeatedly experiment with your hairstyles and quickly return your hair to its normal state without much effort. All you need to create a unique look in the style of the nineties and eighties is: a thin fine-toothed comb, maximum hold hairspray and a few bobby pins (optional).
Divide your hair into several parts, highlighting individual strands. Comb your hair from the ends to the roots, fluff the hair with your hands and fix with hairspray.
If you are hesitant to make such bold changes, make your hair a little smaller. Place the ends of your hair in curls, pin your bangs on one side with a bright hairpin. Your hairstyle is ready.
