Top 15+ Iconic 1980s Fashion Trends

1) Big Hair

1) Big Hair, 2) Neon Everything, 4) Headbands, 7) Oversized Blazers, 8) Power Suits, 9) Shoulder Pads, 10) Bow Tie Blouses, 12) Matchy-matchy Outfits, 13) Scrunchies, 14) Layered Accessories, 15) Hightop Sneakers

The bigger, the better! The 1980s was a time of hair and more hair, with a highly-teased look and lots of volume (made possible with tons of hair spray!). If you weren't blessed with natural curls, you just got a perm every few months. This is one trend that, thankfully, stayed in the 80s.

2) Neon Everything

1) Big Hair, 2) Neon Everything, 4) Headbands, 7) Oversized Blazers, 8) Power Suits, 9) Shoulder Pads, 10) Bow Tie Blouses, 12) Matchy-matchy Outfits, 13) Scrunchies, 14) Layered Accessories, 15) Hightop Sneakers

Neon colors like hot pink, electric blue, and bright yellow were super popular in the 80s. And the more you wore at the same time, the better it looked (or so we thought). Nowadays, one small pop of vibrant neon color —whether it's on your nails or an accent piece-- is a more subtle way to do neon if you love it.

4) Headbands

1) Big Hair, 2) Neon Everything, 4) Headbands, 7) Oversized Blazers, 8) Power Suits, 9) Shoulder Pads, 10) Bow Tie Blouses, 12) Matchy-matchy Outfits, 13) Scrunchies, 14) Layered Accessories, 15) Hightop Sneakers

The popularity of athletic wear (long before "athleisure") was big due to the growing interest in aerobics. It didn't matter if you weren't actually working out or sweating, headbands made any outfit look awesome.

7) Oversized Blazers

1) Big Hair, 2) Neon Everything, 4) Headbands, 7) Oversized Blazers, 8) Power Suits, 9) Shoulder Pads, 10) Bow Tie Blouses, 12) Matchy-matchy Outfits, 13) Scrunchies, 14) Layered Accessories, 15) Hightop Sneakers

Big, slouchy blazers were a thing, especially when paired with jeans, sneakers, and chunky, slouched-down socks. But they were equally popular with neon pieces like these. Interestingly, relaxed-fit blazers are still in style.

8) Power Suits

1) Big Hair, 2) Neon Everything, 4) Headbands, 7) Oversized Blazers, 8) Power Suits, 9) Shoulder Pads, 10) Bow Tie Blouses, 12) Matchy-matchy Outfits, 13) Scrunchies, 14) Layered Accessories, 15) Hightop Sneakers

As more women entered once male-dominated fields of business and politics, business attire took on a certain look known as "power dressing." This often meant a business suit with a coordinating skirt. The look was done especially well by Joan Collins and Linda Evans on the nighttime soap, Dynasty. Suits are still popular, although often paired with pants instead.

9) Shoulder Pads

1) Big Hair, 2) Neon Everything, 4) Headbands, 7) Oversized Blazers, 8) Power Suits, 9) Shoulder Pads, 10) Bow Tie Blouses, 12) Matchy-matchy Outfits, 13) Scrunchies, 14) Layered Accessories, 15) Hightop Sneakers

First worn in the 1930s, shoulder pads disappeared for a few decades before making a comeback in the 80s. They were often used in power suits, but they were also added to jumpsuits, slouchy jackets, and blouses.

10) Bow Tie Blouses

1) Big Hair, 2) Neon Everything, 4) Headbands, 7) Oversized Blazers, 8) Power Suits, 9) Shoulder Pads, 10) Bow Tie Blouses, 12) Matchy-matchy Outfits, 13) Scrunchies, 14) Layered Accessories, 15) Hightop Sneakers

The bow tie blouse was another way 80s fashion interpreted female power in the workforce: It was the equivalent of the male tie. It's a feature that's back in style in force.

12) Matchy-matchy Outfits

1) Big Hair, 2) Neon Everything, 4) Headbands, 7) Oversized Blazers, 8) Power Suits, 9) Shoulder Pads, 10) Bow Tie Blouses, 12) Matchy-matchy Outfits, 13) Scrunchies, 14) Layered Accessories, 15) Hightop Sneakers

Polka dots were huge! And you really had it together if you could assemble an outfit that matched from head to toe, including your earrings, dress, and pumps. Bonus points for wearing black hosiery. Fortunately, this look isn't embraced today.

13) Scrunchies

1) Big Hair, 2) Neon Everything, 4) Headbands, 7) Oversized Blazers, 8) Power Suits, 9) Shoulder Pads, 10) Bow Tie Blouses, 12) Matchy-matchy Outfits, 13) Scrunchies, 14) Layered Accessories, 15) Hightop Sneakers

Ahh, scrunchies! What did we ever do without you? This accessory took off in the 80s with everyone from Madonna to Sarah Jessica Parker. And it's been going strong ever since!

14) Layered Accessories

1) Big Hair, 2) Neon Everything, 4) Headbands, 7) Oversized Blazers, 8) Power Suits, 9) Shoulder Pads, 10) Bow Tie Blouses, 12) Matchy-matchy Outfits, 13) Scrunchies, 14) Layered Accessories, 15) Hightop Sneakers

Borrowing from punk rock fashion overseas and popularized by the eclectic looks of Cyndi Lauper and Boy George, layering on accessories was huge. Pile on the pearls, the chunky chains, the bracelets, and huge earrings (often only one). Layering is still in style, albeit with a more scaled-down delicate approach.

15) Hightop Sneakers

1) Big Hair, 2) Neon Everything, 4) Headbands, 7) Oversized Blazers, 8) Power Suits, 9) Shoulder Pads, 10) Bow Tie Blouses, 12) Matchy-matchy Outfits, 13) Scrunchies, 14) Layered Accessories, 15) Hightop Sneakers

Like other athletic wear, high-top sneakers were popularized by the booming interest in aerobics in the 80s. They were often all-white and worn with everything from skirts to stirrup pants, but colorful options also existed if you opted for the low-top Chuck Taylor.

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