Evander Jones
The 1980s were louder and flashier in all the right ways. It was a time when even everyday things felt electric. Life was simple in a complicated way. Partly due to the tremendous population growth and partly due to the factors we’ll see here, it was an era full of aura. If you lived it, you remember. And if you didn’t, this blast from the past might make you wish you had.
Neon Fashion
Bright and impossible to miss, neon defined the decade. Its rise came with the boom in fluorescent fabric technology, flooding streets and clubs with shocking pinks and greens. Pop icons like Madonna and Cyndi Lauper cemented neon’s cool factor. Today, it remains a go-to for retro-themed outfits.
Walkman
The Walkman changed how we experienced music. Released by Sony in 1979, it exploded in popularity throughout the 1980s. People could finally take their favorite cassette tapes anywhere. The Walkman didn’t just redefine listening habits—it paved the way for MP3 players, and later, the way we use smartphones.
Scrunchies Hair Accessories
Scrunchies were cute and everywhere. These soft, stretchy hair ties perfectly matched the big, bold hairstyles of the decade. Made from different fabrics, they gave us style without breakage. Stars like Jennifer Beals flaunted them on screen, and they later made a fashionable return in the 2010s.
Punk Rock
The punk look wasn’t subtle, and that was the point. Spiked hair, studded jackets, and band tees flooded the streets, inspired by bands like the Dead Kennedys. It was more than clothes—it was attitude. The DIY spirit and rebellion still echo in alternative styles seen today.
Rubik’s Cube
First sold globally in the early 1980s, the Rubik’s Cube quickly became an obsession. With over 350 million units sold, it became a cultural juggernaut. Solving it became a status symbol. It still appears in movies, theatres, competitions, and classrooms—proof that this colorful puzzle hasn’t lost its charm.
Leather Jackets
Nothing says cool quite like a black leather jacket. Films like “The Terminator” and “Grease” helped turn them into must-haves. Teens wore them with bandanas and studs, channeling their inner rock star. Leather jackets still hang in closets today, proving they never really left the fashion spotlight.
Big Hair
Hair defied gravity in the 1980s. With perms and a whole lot of hairspray, people sculpted bold, voluminous looks. Bon Jovi and Whitney Houston made big hair iconic. Apart from being a style, it was a statement. Some fashion shows still pay tribute to those towering locks.
VHS (Video Home System) Tapes
Before streaming, there was the VHS tape. Families lined up to rent movies and watched them on bulky VCRs (Video Cassette Recorders). By the mid-80s, these tapes were standard in households. They brought the theater experience into living rooms and sparked a collector’s market that still exists for rare classics.
Aerosol Hairspray
No 1980s hairstyle held up without a blast of aerosol hairspray. Brands like Aqua Net became household names, thanks to their industrial-strength hold. These sprays shaped the boldest styles of the era. Their widespread use even raised environmental concerns, prompting CFCs to come under regulatory scrutiny in later years.
Cabbage Patch Kids
Few toys captured the 1980s madness quite like Cabbage Patch Kids. Each doll had a unique face and came with adoption papers. Holiday sales often ended in store stampedes. Parents scrambled to get one. The craze led to a massive collector market that keeps the doll’s legacy alive.
Arcade Games
Arcades buzzed with life. Games like “Pac-Man” and “Space Invaders” drew crowds to flashing machines lined with joysticks. Coins clinked, friendships formed, laughter reigned, and high scores were legendary. That golden era shaped an industry that still nods to its pixel-powered beginnings.
Miami Vice
TV fashion took a sharp turn with “Miami Vice”. Pastel suits, loose blazers over T-shirts, and loafers without socks became the new masculine aesthetic. Don Johnson’s style rewrote the fashion playbook. That blend of casual and cool lingers in modern menswear collections and runway throwbacks.
The Boombox
Music moved to the streets thanks to the boombox. More than a mere speaker—it was a cultural trophy. People hoisted them on their shoulders, blasting hip-hop and pop. The boombox helped spread new sounds, especially in urban areas. Today’s Bluetooth speakers owe more than a little to this trendsetter.
High-Top Sneakers
High-top sneakers became the sneaker of choice for 1980s youth. Nike and Converse took them mainstream, turning athletic shoes into everyday fashion. Michael Jackson wore them, and so did kids shooting hoops after school. These sneakers blended comfort with cultural edge and still walk strong in today’s sneaker scene.
Track Suits
Athletic wear broke free from the gym in the 1980s. Track suits burst onto the fashion arena in bright colors and confident stripes. Aerobics culture played a big role, and hip-hop stars like Run-D.M.C. gave it street credibility. Many people still choose them for comfort and style.
Trapper Keepers
Trapper Keepers turned school folders into a fashion statement. With Velcro flaps and space-themed covers, these binders became classroom must-haves. Kids used them to store everything from homework to secret notes. Their popularity was so intense that some schools even banned them for being too distracting.
Power Suits
Power suits, with sharp shoulders and tailored cuts, defined corporate fashion. They were often depicted in films like Wall Street, featuring Gordon Gekko. This bold, business-ready look symbolized the economic optimism of the 1980s. Women’s power suits included shoulder pads to add more stature.
Fanny Packs
Fanny packs were hands-free and hassle-free. Slung around the waist or across the chest, they held keys and cash. Their practical appeal cut across styles and subcultures. They may have gone quiet for a bit, but their comeback in streetwear has been loud and proud.
Jelly Shoes
Jelly shoes were summer essentials made of soft PVC. They came in translucent colors and were perfect for the beach. Affordable, athletic, washable, and adored by all ages, they blurred the line between fashion and function. These playful shoes still pop up in today’s warm-weather wardrobes.
Mullet Haircut
The mullet hairstyle became ubiquitous. It was a full-blown personality. Short up front, long in the back, it hit the mainstream with help from country stars like Billy Ray Cyrus. Athletes and musicians rocked it proudly. The style’s back in modern fashion circles as a cheeky way to bring back the cool.
